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10.04.2023 | Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Evaluation of fetal thymus size in maternal autoimmune diseases: systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren’s syndrome and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome

verfasst von: Derya Uyan Hendem, Deniz Oluklu, Dilek Menekse Beser, Muradiye Yildirim, Duygu Tugrul Ersak, Atakan Tanacan, Dilek Sahin

Erschienen in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics | Ausgabe 4/2024

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Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the effect of inflammation on the fetal thymus-thoracic ratio (TTR) in pregnant women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS).

Method

This prospective case–control study included 45 pregnant women with SLE, SS, and APS and 90 gestational age-matched healthy pregnant women between 24 and 37 gestational weeks. The ratio of the anteroposterior fetal thymus length to the transverse mediastinal length was calculated as the TTR in the study groups.

Results

Fetal TTR was significantly lower in the case group (p < 0.001). Fetal TTR in the APS group was significantly lower than SS group (p = 006). The patients using hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) had significantly higher fetal TTR compared to patients not using HCQ (p = 0.004). A moderate negative correlation was found between the disease duration and fetal TTR (r = − 0.552, p < 0.001). In predicting admission to the neonatal intensive unit care (NICU), a value of 0.31 was found for the fetal TTR with a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 69%

Conclusion

Maternal inflammation in pregnancies with autoimmune diseases may affect the intrauterine milieu of the fetus and cause a lower fetal TTR. Additionally, the lower level of fetal TTR may be more effective and beneficial for the clinician if combined with other risk factors in predicting NICU admission.

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Titel: Evaluation of fetal thymus size in maternal autoimmune diseases: systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren’s syndrome and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome
verfasst von: Derya Uyan Hendem
Deniz Oluklu
Dilek Menekse Beser
Muradiye Yildirim
Duygu Tugrul Ersak
Atakan Tanacan
Dilek Sahin
Publikationsdatum: 10.04.2023
Verlag: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Erschienen in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics / Ausgabe 4/2024
Print ISSN: 0932-0067
Elektronische ISSN: 1432-0711
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-023-07035-3

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Evaluation of fetal thymus size in maternal autoimmune diseases: systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren’s syndrome and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome