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The correlation between the concentration of the inflammatory markers IL-6 and tTNF-α in umbilical cord blood at 22-34 weeks of gestation and acute RDS, and the death of preterms was determined. Significant values of umbilical cord blood IL-6 and tTNF-α concentration for predicting the lethal outcome in the later adaptation of preterms were determined.

Background. The aim of our study was to evaluate Vilnius and Vilnius Region women's knowledge about sexual intercourse during pregnancy.Materials and methods. The study included 94 women who were in the Center Affiliate of VUH Santariskiu Clinics after delivery. The women were interviewed using a questionnaire. They were divided in three groups by levels of education.Results. The study showed that 83% of pregnant women had sexual intercourse during pregnancy. 55.1% had coitus several times a month. The first trimester was the most frequent period of sexual intercourse (52.6%). 22.6% of pregnant women were at high risk of miscarriage and 61.9% of them have had sexual intercourse. The frequency of miscarriage in the sexually active group was 17.9% and in the non-active group it was 50% (p < 0.05). All women who reported frequent sexual intercourse were not at threat for miscarriage compared to incidence of miscarriage of those 13 (22%) women who reported infrequent intercourse (p = 0.019). 79.8% of pregnant women were concerned about the adverse effects of sexual intercourse on pregnancy outcomes. 20.2% of the women thought that intercourse during pregnancy was safe. 63.8% of pregnant women were not asked by doctors during pregnancy about their sexual life.Conclusions. The majority (79.8%) of pregnant women were concerned about the adverse effects of sexual intercourse on pregnancy outcomes but even 83% of pregnant women had sexual intercourse during pregnancy. There were no statistical differences between women with different education level. Pregnant women were rarely asked by doctors about their sexual life.

Heterotopic pregnancy is defined as a condition when intrauterine and extrauterine pregnancy occur simultaneously. It is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate and accurate diagnostics and treatment. We present a case of a 28-year-old primigravida female who conceived spontaneously and at her seventh week of gestation and was presented to the emergency department with weakness and acute pain in lower abdomen. Laboratory tests and transvaginal ultrasonography revealed the diagnosis of heterotopic pregnancy. Urgent laparoscopic salpingotomy was chosen as a treatment option. The ectopic pregnancy was successfully removed with the preservation of the intrauterine embryo and fallopian tubes. The course of pregnancy after the surgery was without complications, and a healthy baby was delivered at the 39th week of gestation. When treated properly and on time, a heterotopic pregnancy can result in live childbirth with favorable outcomes for both the child and the mother.

ObjectiveTo identify and evaluate the correlation between leukocyte count in maternal blood and the risk of developing fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS).Patients and methodsThe study involved 158 infants born at 22−34 weeks of gestation and their mothers. Umbilical cord blood cytokines were evaluated in immunoassay tests and maternal blood was tested for the leukocyte formula.ResultsThe period of gestation was significantly shorter in the FIRS group compared to the control group (29.5±3.1 vs. 32.2±2.4 weeks, p<0.001). Gestational age was ≤30 weeks for 53.8% of the newborns in the FIRS group and 15.8% of the newborns in the control group (p<0.001). The number of leukocytes in maternal blood before and during labor was significantly higher in the FIRS group than in the control group (p=0.034 and 0.004, respectively). The study determined the correlation between the total leukocyte count in maternal blood and IL-6 concentration during labor (p=0.05) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) concentration in umbilical cord blood before and during labor (p=0.02 and 0.007, respectively).ConclusionLeukocytosis in the FIRS group was significantly higher than in the control group before and during labor. According to our data, one of the possible indicators of intrauterine infection could be the number of leukocytes in maternal blood.