Our aim was to investigate the association between serum heat-shock protein (Hsp) 70 concentration and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. One hundred and forty-two pregnant women with hypertensive disorders (93 with preeclampsia, 29 with transient hypertension of pregnancy and 20 with superimposed preeclampsia) and 127 normotensive, healthy pregnant women were included in the study. Serum Hsp70 concentration was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The serum Hsp70 concentration was significantly higher in patients with transient hypertension of pregnancy, in preeclamptic patients and in patients with superimposed preeclampsia than in the control group (median (25-75 percentile): 0.66 (0.52-0.84), 0.55 (0.42-0.80), 0.61 (0.42-0.91) ng/ml vs 0.31 (0.27-0.39) ng/ml, respectively; Po0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed independent association of elevated serum Hsp70 level with transient hypertension of pregnancy, preeclampsia and superimposed preeclampsia.The difference in serum Hsp70 concentration between preeclamptic patients and the control group was statistically significant in each gestational age category. In the groups of preeclamptic and superimposed preeclamptic patients, there was no significant difference in serum Hsp70 concentration between mild and severe preeclamptic patients, between patients with late and early onset of the disease, as well as between preeclamptic patients without and with foetal growth restriction. In conclusion, serum Hsp70 concentration is elevated in transient hypertension of pregnancy, in preeclampsia and in superimposed preeclampsia. Circulating Hsp70 may not only be a marker for these conditions, but might also play a role in their pathogenesis. However, further studies are needed to explore its role in the pathogenesis of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Fetal midgut volvulus is quite rare, and few surviving infants – particularly cases with meconium peritonitis – have been reported in the literature. We report two cases of intrauterine intestinal obstruction due to fetal midgut volvulus associated with intestinal malrotation. In both cases, the infant survived after cesarean section delivery and appropriate surgical intervention, and they both continue to be in good overall condition. We discuss the prenatal signs and outcome of in utero intestinal volvulus. Close prenatal follow-up and appropriate timing of delivery in cases where ultrasound examination shows signs of fetal intestinal obstruction, as well as optimal postnatal treatment, are essential to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with fetal midgut volvulus.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract