The regular use of iodine-containing supplements proved effective in reducing the risk of inappropriately low FT4 levels during pregnancy. The observed TSH increase in 150-I women may be because of a transient stunning effect on the thyroid gland, occurring as a result of the abrupt increase in daily iodine intake. Whilst the importance of gestational iodine supplementation is undisputed, we believe that in mild-moderately ID areas, women considering conception should be advised to take iodine supplementation for several months prior to pregnancy.

Objective To evaluate volumetric changes of uterine myomas (fibroids) during pregnancy. Methods

Both thyroid diseases SH and autoimmune disorder are independently associated with very early embryo loss, but women suffering from SH have a lower gestational age at abortion.

Objective: To longitudinally evaluate the timing of maternal thyroid underfunction occurrence in mildly iodine-deficient (ID) pregnant women, and ultimately assess the benefit of thyroid function testing at early gestation only in identifying maternal thyroid underfunction. Participants/methods: Serum free-thyroxine and TSH were measured in 220 consecutive women once in early pregnancy (by week 12) and twice per trimester subsequently. Anti-thyroperoxidase and antithyroglobulin were also determined at initial and final observation. Results: Thyroid autoantibodies were detectable in 8.2% women. Overall, the prevalence of hypothyroidism over the course of gestation was 11.8% (26/220), with a relative risk of hypothyroidism in antibody-positive women of 5.0 (c 2 20.02, P!0.0005). Nonetheless, almost 70% hypothyroid women tested negative for thyroid autoantibodies. Fifteen/26 (57.7%) hypothyroid women were identified at presentation, and the remaining 11 at either early (6/11) or late (5/11) phases of the 2nd trimester. Isolated hypothyroxinemia was observed in 56/220 (25.4%) women, mostly from the 2nd trimester onwards. Conclusions: In mildly ID areas thyroid function testing early in gestation seems to be only partly effective in identifying thyroid underfunction in pregnant women. Indeed, in our series more than 40% hypothyroid women would not have been diagnosed had we limited our observation to early thyroid function tests alone. Although thyroid autoimmunity carried a 5-fold increased risk of hypothyroidism, iodine deficiency seems to be a major determinant in the occurrence of thyroid underfunction. Adequate iodine supplementation should be strongly recommended to meet the increased hormone demand over gestation.

All kinds of anaesthesia seem to be safe, but loco-regional blockade shows more advantages on the neonatal outcome also when a conversion is necessary.

Both treatments improved genital symptoms, colposcopical features and MV, although genistein was more effective on genital score. Both treatments did not significantly influence flow cytometry parameters, although genistein showed slight decrease in DI, with a normalization of the aneuploid content present in some cases that could represent an additional application of intravaginal phytoestrogen therapy, providing an alternative therapy of vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal patients. The results of this investigation should be considered preliminary and need to be verified in larger, prospective studies.

A high rate of women wish to give birth by cesarean section. This is probably an expression of the changes in society's attitudes. However, more careful attention to the psychological aspects and more personalized information about pregnancy and delivery could reduce this maternal demand.

To avoid wound complications obstetricians should be careful in the administration of steroids before surgery, in the skin incision length that should be kept as short as possible and in carefully observing gestational BMI.