Background: Maternal serum screening remains widely implemented for prenatal aneuploidy assessment despite increased uptake of cell-free DNA testing. Evidence suggests that fetal sex may influence placental endocrine function and maternal serum biomarker levels; however, available studies are inconsistent and often limited by sample size or incomplete adjustment for maternal factors. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether fetal sex independently modifies first- and second-trimester maternal serum marker Multiple of the Median (MoM) values and whether sex-related biochemical variation affects trisomy-21 screen-positive classification. Methods: A retrospective cohort was identified from institutional screening records (10,384 screened pregnancies), of which 5040 first-trimester and 1476 second-trimester cases had complete biochemical data. First-trimester PAPP-A and free β-hCG, as well as second-trimester AFP, uE3, and free β-hCG, were measured. Implausible MoM values (5.00) were excluded. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models adjusted for maternal age, maternal weight, gestational age at sampling, and parity assessed independent associations. Results: Pregnancies with female fetuses showed significantly higher MoM values for first-trimester PAPP-A and free β-hCG as well as second-trimester AFP and uE3. The magnitude of these differences was small, and no significant differences were observed in trisomy-21 screen-positive rates between fetal sex groups. Conclusions: Fetal sex independently influences several maternal serum markers across both trimesters but does not result in clinically meaningful differences in trisomy-21 screening outcomes under current algorithms. Any potential relevance of fetal sex for risk interpretation should be regarded as hypothesis-generating and requires outcome-validated investigation before clinical application.

Whether obstetric, perineal, and psychosocial differences persist after successful vaginismus treatment, particularly by pre-treatment severity, remains un

Background/aim: This study aimed to compare sexual health literacy and cyberchondria levels between women who had been diagnosed with vaginismus and those who had not. Materials and methods: The research was conducted as a prospective cohort study including 60 women over the age of 18 who were married and unable to engage in sexual intercourse due to primary vaginismus and 60 sexually active married women without vaginismus. Data collection tools included a patient information form, the Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS-12-TR), and the Sexual Health Literacy Scale (SHLS). Results: The median age of the women diagnosed with vaginismus was 27 (21–54) years, while the median age of the women without a vaginismus diagnosis was 30 (20–57) years. The majority of women diagnosed with vaginismus were not employed and had married for love. No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of the total SHLS score. Women with vaginismus showed lower levels of cyberchondria. Most participants were university graduates and sexual health literacy levels were found to be high. Conclusion: Cyberchondria levels in women diagnosed with vaginismus may be low because confronting their condition is challenging. However, it can be inferred that women with vaginismus who seek help from healthcare institutions have high levels of problem-solving skills.

Serial Progesterone Kinetics after Methotrexate Treatment for Persistent Pregnancy of Unknown Location and Presumed Ectopic Pregnancy: A Retrospective Cohort Study - Anatolian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Research