The strategy proves valuable in the control of severe thalassemia. This extensive experience suggests the strategy be considered an effective way in the control of severe thalassemia in high prevalence areas.

Objective The objective of this paper is to compare adverse pregnancy outcomes between normal pregnancies and pregnancies with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), particularly focusing on uncomplicated SLE with remission. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted by accessing the Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) Unit database and the full medical records of the women. The records of singleton pregnancies with SLE and no underlying disease were assigned as the study group and their medical records were reviewed. The low-risk pregnancies were randomly selected as the controls. The adverse pregnancy outcomes were compared between the control group vs women with SLE, control group vs uncomplicated SLE, and between the subgroups within the study group. Results Of 28,003 births during the study period, 1400 controls and 140 pregnancies with SLE were compared. The rates of fetal loss, preterm birth, small-for-date, low birth weight and preeclampsia were significantly higher in the study groups with a relative risk of 5.6 (95% CI: 2.9-10.9), 3.2 (95% CI: 2.5-4.1), 3.5 (95% CI: 2.4-4.9), 4.2 (95% CI: 3.4-5.3) and 2.9 (95% CI: 1.9-4.4), respectively. The increased rates of most adverse outcomes were still noted even in the cases of uncomplicated SLE. Among women with SLE, lupus nephritis, chronic hypertension, antiphospholipid syndrome, active disease at the onset of pregnancies, and proteinuria were significantly associated with such outcomes. Conclusions Pregnancies with SLE, even in uncomplicated cases with remission, increase the risk of poor pregnancy outcomes. The presence of lupus nephritis, chronic hypertension, antiphospholipid syndrome, active disease at the onset of pregnancies, and proteinuria were significantly associated with such outcomes.

Objective To determine the effectiveness of trial of labor after cesarean section (TOLAC) and the factors associated with a successful TOLAC. Materials and Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted on consecutive singleton pregnancies with a previous single low-transverse cesarean section planned for TOLAC at a tertiary teaching hospital. The potential risk factors of a successful TOLAC were compared with those associated with a failed TOLAC. A simple audit system used in the first two years was also taken into account in the analysis as a potential factor for success. Results During the study period, 2,493 women were eligible for TOLAC and 704 of them were scheduled for TOLAC, but finally 592 underwent TOLAC. Among them, 355 (60%) had a successful vaginal birth and 237 (40%) had a failed TOLAC. The independent factors associated with the success rate included the audit system, prior vaginal birth, low maternal BMI, and lower birth weight or gestational age, whereas induction of labor and recurring indications in previous pregnancy significantly increased the risk of having a failed TOLAC. Strikingly, the strongest predictor of a successful TOLAC was the audit system with OR of 6.4 (95%CI: 3.9-10.44), followed by a history of vaginal birth in previous pregnancies (OR: 3.2; 95%CI: 1.87-5.36). Conclusion The simple audit system had the greatest impact on the success rate of TOLAC, instead of the less powerful obstetrical factors as reported in previous reports. The audit system is the only potential factor that could be strengthened to improve the success rate.

ObjectiveThe primary objective of this study was to compare the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers between pregnancies with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and normoglycemic pregnancies.Materials and methodsA prospective study was conducted on pregnant women at average risk for GDM. The participants were screened for GDM with glucose challenge test and confirmed by 100 g, 3-h oral glucose tolerance test and categorized into the control (non-GDM) and GDM groups. Maternal blood was collected from all participants at gestational age (GA) 24–28 weeks and early labor and fetal cord blood was collected for measurements of 8 Isoprostane (8Isop) (oxidative stress marker), TNF-α (inflammatory marker) and IL-10 (anti-inflammatory marker) and were followed up for maternal and neonatal outcomes.ResultA total of 62 women, 30 in GDM and 32 in control group, met the inclusion criteria. At 24–28 weeks of gestation, maternal serum 8Isop and TNF-α levels were significantly higher in GDM group (P = 0.032 and P = 0.047), in spite of good glycemic control. At early labor, maternal 8Isop levels were significantly higher in GDM (P = 0.001). The biomarkers in the cord blood as well as maternal and neonatal outcomes in both groups were not significantly different.ConclusionGDM is significantly associated with inflammatory process when compared to normal pregnancy, as indicated by higher oxidative stress and apoptosis markers. However, such levels were not correlated with the pregnancy outcomes. An increase in oxidative stress could not be prevented by good glycemic control. Cord blood biomarker levels in pregnancy with GDM were not changed, suggesting that the placenta could be the barrier for the oxidative stress and cytokines.

Background To compare the rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes between women with normal and abnormal inhibin-A levels. Methods Based on a prospective database of Down syndrome screening program, the consecutive records were comprehensively reviewed. Pregnancies were classified into three groups: normal, high (> 2 MoM) and low (< 0.5 MoM) inhibin-A levels. The pregnancies with medical diseases, chromosome abnormalities and fetal anomalies were excluded. The primary outcomes were the rates of preterm birth, preeclampsia, and fetal growth restriction (FGR). Results Of 6679 recruited pregnancies, 5080 met the inclusion criteria, including 4600, 205 and 275 pregnancies in the group of normal, high, and low inhibin-A levels respectively. The rates of preterm birth, preeclampsia and FGR were significantly higher in the group of high levels; (RR, 1.51, 95%CI: 1.01–2.26; 3.47, 95% CI: 2.13–5.65; 3.04, 95% CI: 1.99–4.65 respectively), whereas the rates of other adverse outcomes were comparable. However, the rate of spontaneous preterm birth among women with high inhibin-A was not significantly increased. Based on multivariate analysis, the preterm birth rate was not significantly associated with inhibin-A levels, but it was rather a consequence of preeclampsia and FGR. Low levels of serum inhibin-A were not significantly associated with any adverse outcomes. Conclusions High levels of maternal serum inhibin-A in the second trimester are significantly associated with abnormal placentation, which increases the risk of preeclampsia and FGR with a consequence of indicated preterm birth but not a risk of spontaneous preterm birth. In contrast, low inhibin-A levels were not associated with any common adverse pregnancy outcomes.