Objective: Some studies have recently focused on the association between TNF-α polymorphisms and cervical cancer; however, results have been inconsistent. In order to drive a more precise estimation, the present systematic review and meta-analysis is performed to investigate the relationship of the TNF-α rs1800629 and s1799724 polymorphisms with cervical cancer risk. Methods: An electronic search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, and Google scholar databases, for papers that describe the association between TNF-α polymorphisms and cervical cancer risk. Results: A number of 24 case-control studies in 22 publications were identified according to the inclusion criteria. The results showed that rs1800629 polymorphism was significantly associated with the increased cervical cancer risk under four genetic models (A vs. G: OR = 1.277, 95% CI: 1.104-1.477, p = 0.001; AA vs. GG: OR = 1.333, 95% CI: 1.062-1.674, p = 0.013; AG vs. GG: OR = 1.307, 95% CI: 1.064-1.605, p = 0.011; and AA+AG vs. GG: OR = 1.324, 95% CI: 1.104-1.587, p = 0.002). In stratified analysis, there was a significant association between rs1800629 polymorphism and cervical cancer risk in the subgroup of Caucasians and African, but not in Asians. However, no statistically significant association was observed between the s1799724 and cervical cancer risk under all genetic models. Furthermore, stratification by ethnicity indicated no association between the s1799724 and cervical cancer risk.Conclusion: the present meta-analysis suggests that the rs1800629 polymorphism of the TNF-α gene was significantly associated with cervical cancer risk, but not s1799724.

Background: Therapeutic abortion is defined as intentional termination of pregnancy in order to save the mother’s life and health or when the fetus has an abnormality incompatible with normal life.The aim of this study was to evaluate causes of issuance of therapeutic abortion in women referred to the Yazd province Legal Medicine Organization to terminate the pregnancy.   Methods: In this cross sectional study, all the applications for therapeutic abortions from March 2014 to March 2016 approved by the legal medicine organization of Yazd province were included and recorded. The data was analyzed by SPSS software.   Results: From 333 permissions for abortion during three years ,299 cases (89.8%) were issued for the reason of fetal indications and 34 cases (10.2%) for maternalindications. The most prevalent fetal abnormalities indicated for abortion were central nervous system disorders (especially Anencephaly and Spina Bifida); Hydrops Fetalis and Down syndrome, respectively and the most frequent maternal disorders were cardiovascular diseases.   Conclusion: The current study shows that therapeutic abortions due to fetal abnormalities are increasing. It seems that educating health professionals and people and increasing their awareness about preventing fetal abnormalities and also contraception in women with maternal diseases indicated for abortion could be an effective way to reduce the rate of abortion.

Background: Amniocentesis, like other invasive methods, has complications such as abortion, premature rupture - second pregnancy and at 29 weeks of membranes, infection, bleeding, etc. Here, we aimed to study the complications of amniocentesis in pregnant women. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was included 409 women with positive first and second stage screening or required amniocentesis referred to Baghaeipour Clinic in 2017. Data was collected by a pre-prepared questionnaire. Results: The mean age of the patients and gestational age was 33.49 ± 6.51 years and 17.39 ± 1.36  weeks, respectively. 132 patients (32.2%) had a history of abortion. Regarding the frequency of needle passage through the placenta, the results showed that in 369 people (90.2%) the needle did not pass through the placenta and in 40 people (9.8%). The needle has passed through the pair. Regarding the frequency distribution of amniocentesis complications, fetal death in (2.4%), bleeding in (2.2%) and PROM (1.7%) were observed in patients and no case of infection and abortion was observed. In terms of age, gestational age, gestational number, placental location, needle passage, aspirated fluid color, history of abortion and type of delivery, there were no significant differences. Conclusion: In this study the most common complication of amniocentesis was fetal death (2.4%), followed by bleeding and Spotting (2.2%), PROM (1.7%), infection and abortion, respectively.

Background: Congenital abnormalities are diseases that occur during fertilization of the egg or development of the fetus and lead to disability, illness or mortality. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and the factors associated with fetomaternal abnormalities in therapeutic abortions.                                                                                       Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 391 mothers referred to Yazd legal medicine organization for pregnancy termination from March 2017 to March 2020. The data about their fetuses were extracted and recorded. Results:The most common fetal abnormalities observed in this study were central nervous system abnormalities (21.1%), subsequently chromosomal disorders (16.8%), hydropsfetalis, cystic hygroma (15.9%), syndromic disorders (10.1%), single-gene disorders (8.1%), dysmorphology (8.1%), musculoskeletal disorders (7.8%), and cardiovascular disorders (7.2%). Conclusion: The main maternal causes for therapeutic abortion were cardiovascular disease, kidney diseases and cancers, while the most common fetal disorders leading to therapeutic abortion were central nervous system disorders such as anencephaly.