Objective: Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and low-dose aspirin (LDA) given in combination were evaluated in females with five commonly inherited thrombophilia polymorphisms to address unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Materials and Methods: After excluding other causes of RPL, 106 of 183 females suffering RPL and diagnosed with inherited thrombophilia were studied along with 62 healthy, age-matched control subjects carrying one or more pregnancies successfully (no gestational complications or abortion). Test patients were given a combination of LMWH and LDA. All participants were screened for five thrombophilic mutations: factor V Leiden G1691A, prothrombin (FII) A20210G, PAI-1 4G/5G insertion/deletion, and two methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms (C677T and A1298C). Results: With thromboprophylaxis, 73 of 84 (86.9%) pregnancies succeeded, representing a significant increase in the rate of live births (vs. 232 prior losses). Of the five test panel mutations, three or more (homozygous and/or heterozygous) were observed in 48 test patients (45.3%), whereas only three control subjects (4.8%) were similarly affected (p < 0.05). Frequencies of all five mutations were significantly higher in test patients (vs. controls), with PAI-1 4G/5G and MTHFR (C677T and A1298C) identified via binary logistic regression as independent correlates of habitual abortion. Conclusion: The risk of RPL increases with three or more homozygous or heterozygous genotypes in inherited thrombophilia, especially with PAI-1 4G/5G and MTHFR (C677T and A1298C). As in acquired thrombophilia, LMWH/LDA combination treatment may increase live birth rates in patients with inherited thrombophilia.

Maternal smoking is known to have adverse effects on the foetus. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of maternal smoking during pregnancy on arterial blood flow velocities in the foetal-placental-maternal circulation, and the pathophysiological relationship with placental and foetal birth weight. A total of 148 singleton pregnancies in 59 smokers and 89 non-smoking controls were examined during the 37th week of gestation. Blood flow in the maternal uterine, foetal umbilical and middle cerebral arteries was analysed with Doppler ultrasonography. Statistically significant differences in Doppler waveforms were detected in the foetal umbilical artery (UmbA) (p < 0.05), but neither in uterine nor foetal middle cerebral arteries (p > 0.05). Both infant birthweight and placental weight were significantly decreased by maternal smoking (p< 0.001 for both). Maternal smoking during pregnancy did not affect either maternal uterine or foetal middle cerebral arterial blood flow, but caused abnormal blood flow in the foetal UmbA.

To investigate the effect of anticoagulant treatment and perinatal outcomes in patients with primary or secondary recurrent pregnancy loss without cause other than inherited trombophilia. Methods: A total of 143 pregnant patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (≥2 abortus) and had no detected cause other than thrombophilia, were included in the study. Patients with no livebirth history were accepted as primary and patients with at least one livebirth were as secondary recurrent spontaneous aborters (PrimRSAs and SecRSAs). Inherited thrombophilia genetic results of the patients in both groups were compared. The effects of low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and low-dose aspirin (LDA) treatments alone or together, livebirth rates and pregnancy outcomes were investigated. Results: Sixty-eight patients were in PrimRSAs and 75 were in SecRSAs. Ages, numbers of total, early and late pregnancy loss of both groups were similar. In PrimRSAs 49 (72.1%) and in SecRSAs 50 (66.6%) patients had three or more inherited thrombophilia genetic mutations. Of 113 patients who used LMWH+LDA during pregnancy 88 (77.6%) had livebirth; however, of 19 patients who used LMWH 6 (31.6%) and of 11 women who used LDA 8 (72.7%) had livebirth. Livebirth rate was significantly higher in patients who used LMWH+LDA together (p=0.001). Livebirth rates were higher in SecRSAs than PrimRSAs irrespective to the anticoagulant treatment (p=0.002). Conclusion: LMWH and LDA treatment together may increase livebirth rates in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss and inherited thrombophilia. Having at least one livebirth of the patients is a good prognostic factor.

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Objective: Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is the most important neurotrophin, which helps the differentiation and growth of central and peripheral neurons, and facilitates synaptic transmission. In this study we aimed to investigate fetal cord BDNF levels of infants born from subclinical and clinical maternal hypothyroidism.Methods: This study was conducted on a total of 67 pregnant women who were followed up in Obstetrics and Gynecology outpatient clinics, 27 with maternal hypothyroidism and 40 age-parity matched healthy pregnants without hypothyroidism. Immediately after vaginal or cesarean delivery fetal cord blood samples were taken from these patients and BDNF levels were measured.Results: BDNF levels of infants born from pregnants with maternal hypothyroidism were significantly lower than the control group (23.3 ± 17.4 ng/dl and 50.7 ± 28.3 ng/ dl respectively; p<0.001). In multiple linear regression analysis, while BDNF level was related with maternal hypothyroidism and infant sex, it was not associated with mode of delivery, maternal age, total weight gain during pregnancy, gestational age at birth, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and other neonatal data. Conclusion:This study showed that fetal cord BDNF levels significantly decreased in infants of the pregnants with hypothyroidism.