This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women, as well as the general characteristics, clinical and laboratory findings, and pregnancy and fetal outcomes of pregnant women diagnosed with acute toxoplasma infection (ATI). The toxoplasma IgM, IgG, and IgG avidity test results of pregnant women who applied to our referral hospital between January 2016 and June 2022, and among them, those diagnosed with ATI, were analyzed. The 119 patients diagnosed with ATI during this time period were included for further analysis. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women was found to be 46.2%, and the rate of ATI was 4%. The total mother-to-child transmission rate was 5% (5/101). Congenital toxoplasmosis (CT) was observed in 1 (1.1%) child of the 87 pregnant women who received spiramycin prophylaxis, though it was found in 4 (30.8%) of the children of the 13 untreated mothers. With respect to prenatal treatment, CT rates were significantly higher in the children born to untreated mothers (p = 0.001). In conclusion, although toxoplasma seroprevalence was found to be high in our region, there was a paucity in diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment. Our findings support that prenatal spiramycin prophylaxis is effective in preventing the transmission of parasites from mother to child.

To evaluate persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) cases according to associated cardiac, extracardiac, and chromosomal anomalies in the prenatal period and to review their outcomes. The data of patients with a prenatal diagnosis of PLSVC between January 2013 and December 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. Data of 32 cases were reviewed. Nineteen (60%) cases were associated with cardiac defects, 5 (15%) were associated with both cardiac and extracardiac defects, and 8 (25%) had no associated anomalies. Two fetuses had karyotype anomalies. All patients with isolated PLSVC survived. Among the cases associated with extracardiac anomalies, cardiac anomalies, and with both extracardiac and cardiac anomalies, the survival rate was 40%, 40%, and 25%, respectively. Outcome was more favorable in cases with isolated PLSVC (100% vs. 40%). Prenatally diagnosed PLSVC is associated with cardiac and extracardiac anomalies in the majority of cases. The prognosis is good in isolated cases, but worsens when accompanied by cardiac or extracardiac anomalies.

Objective: To evaluate sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) cases according to associated cardiac, extracardiac, and chromosomal anomalies in the prenatal period, and to review their outcomes. Materials and Methods: Data of pregnancies with a prenatal diagnosis of SCT between 2009 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: One ongoing pregnancy was excluded. There were five medically terminated cases, three due to severe heart failure and the remaining two due to additional congenital defects. Two infants who had heart failure due to hyperdynamic flow died in the neonatal period. Nine infants are well and alive at the time of writing. Conclusion: When a lesion is detected in the sacrococcygeal region during fetal sonography, the differential diagnosis should be made with an appropriate evaluation with emphasis on a possible diagnosis of fetal SCT. Tumor growth and heart failure should be monitored with serial scans when SCT has been diagnosed prenatally.

Background and Objectives: Preeclampsia (PE) is a major cause of adverse perinatal outcomes. Early diagnosis of pregnant women at risk of PE can facilitate disease prevention and management. However, the presence of different phenotypes of the disease complicates its prediction. In particular, the challenges in the early diagnosis of term PE cases necessitate research on PE prediction in the second and third trimesters. This study aims to examine the association between PE development and mid-trimester blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, and the BUN/creatinine ratio in pregnant women. Materials and Methods: This retrospective case–control study was conducted on women diagnosed with PE. Pregnant women who underwent routine biochemical blood tests between the 18th and 24th weeks of gestation and subsequently gave birth at our hospital between January 2022 and May 2023 were categorized into three groups. Accordingly, healthy women who had term deliveries were classified as Group 1 (150 cases), women diagnosed with PE were classified as Group 2 (58 cases), and those diagnosed with severe PE were classified as Group 3 (44 cases). Results: There were no significant differences in age, gravidity, parity, body mass index, or gestational week at blood sampling between the patient and control groups (p > 0.05). When comparing the mean blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and BUN/creatinine ratios, a significant difference was observed between the control group and those who developed PE (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.031, respectively). Univariate analysis revealed a significant association between BUN levels and PE development (OR 1.083; 95% CI, 1.031–1.139; p = 0.002). A stronger association was observed between serum creatinine levels and PE development (OR 112.344; 95% CI, 11.649–1083.416; p < 0.001). However, no significant association was found between the BUN/creatinine ratio and PE in univariate analysis (OR 1.003; 95% CI, 0.979–1.028; p > 0.05). Mid-trimester BUN and serum creatinine levels were significantly higher in patients who developed PE and severe PE. The AUC value for the BUN parameter in predicting PE was 0.614 (AUC 0.614; 95% CI, 0.539–0.689; p = 0.002). A BUN cut-off value of 16.2 mg/dL predicted disease development with a sensitivity of 52.9% and a specificity of 74%. Similarly, the AUC value for the serum creatinine parameter in predicting PE was 0.644 (AUC 0.644; 95% CI, 0.574–0.751; p < 0.001). A serum creatinine cut-off value of 0.58 mg/dL was able to predict disease development with 37.2% sensitivity and 88% specificity. No significant AUC value was obtained for the BUN/creatinine ratio (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that elevated BUN and serum creatinine levels measured during the mid-trimester (18–24 weeks) are associated with an increased risk of developing preeclampsia.

Background and Objectives: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which is becoming increasingly common in contemporary society, is recognized for its considerable psychosocial impact on pregnant women throughout the perinatal phase. The purpose of this research was to explore the possible links between mental health status and dietary habits among pregnant women diagnosed with GDM, alongside examining how these factors correlate with clinical indicators like HbA1c measurements and the necessity for insulin therapy. Materials and Methods: The study included 82 pregnant participants, 37 with gestational diabetes mellitus and 45 without. Blood samples were collected from all participants for biochemical analysis, including fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, and HbA1c levels, which can be clinical indicators for the presence of gestational diabetes mellitus, and the need for insulin treatment was recorded. Then, participants completed a questionnaire collecting sociodemographic and clinical data as well as the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Salzburg Emotional Eating Scale (SEES), and REZZY Eating Disorders Scale (REZZY). Data were statistically analyzed. Results: A previous diagnosis of gestational diabetes was more frequent in the case group (18.9%) than in the control group (2.2%) (p = 0.020). OGTT positivity was detected in 56.8% of the case group, whereas all control participants had negative results (p < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in psychological symptom scores or eating behavior assessments (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus were observed to score higher on measures of anxiety, depression, and emotional eating, particularly in response to negative emotions. These findings may indicate a potential association between gestational diabetes and psychological or behavioral factors related to metabolic regulation during pregnancy.

Preeclampsia is a complex, multisystem obstetric disorder characterized by heterogeneous clinical manifestations, often requiring enhanced strategies for early detection, management, and risk stratification. This study aimed to evaluate potential alterations in non-invasive transcutaneous bilirubin levels measured at various maternal body sites in pregnant women diagnosed with preeclampsia. A total of 86 pregnant women who delivered at our institution were enrolled and classified into three groups: healthy pregnant women (Group 1, n = 30), women with preeclampsia (Group 2, n = 30), and women with pre-eclampsia with severe features (Group 3, n = 26). In addition to routine pre-delivery laboratory assessments, transcutaneous bilirubin levels were measured at two anatomical sites—the forehead and the abdominal skin overlying the uterine fundus—using a standard bilirubinometer. Each site was measured three times, and the mean of the three readings was recorded for analysis. Complete Blood Count and biochemical blood parameters of the women were evaluated. Relevant obstetric and demographic data were also collected and recorded. There were no statistically significant differences among the three groups in terms of maternal age, gravidity, parity, or body mass index (p > 0.05). Similarly, total serum bilirubin levels were comparable across the groups (Group 1: 0.45 mg/dL; Group 2: 0.39 mg/dL; Group 3: 0.44 mg/dL; p > 0.05). In contrast, transcutaneous bilirubin levels were significantly elevated in Group 3 compared to Groups 1 and 2. The mean transcutaneous bilirubin values for the forehead, uterine fundus, and overall (combined sites) were as follows: Group 1—3.07 ± 0.85, 2.35 ± 0.97, and 2.71 ± 0.76; Group 2—6.09 ± 1.94, 4.94 ± 1.64, and 5.52 ± 1.59; Group 3—7.12 ± 1.81, 6.12 ± 2.25, and 6.63 ± 1.69, respectively. All pairwise comparisons demonstrated statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). Transcutaneous bilirubin levels were significantly elevated in women with preeclampsia, particularly among those with severe disease. As a non-invasive, rapid, and cost-effective approach, TcB measurement may function as an adjunctive tool for the initial clinical assessment and risk stratification of preeclamptic patients.