SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to determine and compare hepatitis B surface antigen level, anti-hepatitis B surface, and anti-hepatitis C virus positivity in Turkish pregnant women and Syrian refugee pregnant women residing in Turkey. METHODS: The study was conducted on Syrian refugee pregnant women aged 15–45 years and Turkish pregnant women who applied to state hospital's gynecology and obstetrics outpatient clinics between April 30, 2012, and April 30, 2022. In our study, 136,376 pregnant women (104,629 Turkish and 31,747 Syrian) tested for hepatitis B surface antigen, 72,035 pregnant women (53,070 Turkish and 18,965 Syrian) tested for anti-hepatitis B surface, and 120,611 pregnant women (92,514 Turkish and 28,097 Syrian) tested for anti-hepatitis C virus were included. The patients were divided into six groups for hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-hepatitis B surface, and anti-hepatitis C virus results based on their age: <20 years, 20–24 years, 25–29 years, 30–34 years, 35–39 years, and >40 years. For each age group, the results of Syrian refugee pregnant women and Turkish pregnant women were compared. RESULTS: Hepatitis B surface antigen positivity and anti-hepatitis B surface positivity were significantly higher in Turkish pregnant women compared to Syrian refugee pregnant women. Anti-hepatitis C virus positivity was significantly higher in Syrian refugee pregnant women compared to Turkish pregnant women. CONCLUSION: Based on the available data, we think that hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-hepatitis B surface, and anti-hepatitis C virus tests should be done routinely for pregnant women. Raising awareness among Syrian refugees about the hepatitis B virus vaccine as well as encouraging them to be vaccinated may reduce the negative impact of migration.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Uterine carcinosarcomas are aggressive, rare biphasic tumors with malignant epithelial and malignant sarcomatous components. The prognostic significance of the presence of extrauterine sarcoma (heterologous component) is controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of heterologous components in uterine carcinosarcomas on disease-free survival, overall survival, and other prognostic factors. METHODS: Clinical and histopathological data from patients treated for uterine carcinosarcoma in a tertiary cancer center in Turkey between July 2000 and January 2020 were collected. Independent risk factors affecting overall survival and disease-free survival were analyzed by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 98 patients were identified. The median follow-up was 21.8 (1.2–233.1) months. In the multivariate analysis, the median overall survival and disease-free survival were 23.8 and 20.7 months in those with homologous mesenchymal components and 17.6 and 9.7 months in those with heterologous mesenchymal components, respectively. It was found that the presence of heterologous mesenchymal components significantly reduced both overall survival and disease-free survival (odds ratio [OR], 2.861; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.196–6.841; p=0.018 and OR, 3.697; 95%CI 1.572–8.695; p=0.003, respectively). In addition, both lymphadenectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy were found to significantly increase overall survival and disease-free survival. Age was found to increase only disease-free survival. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study showed that the presence of heterologous components in uterine carcinosarcoma is a prognostic factor that adversely affects both overall survival and disease-free survival. Lymphadenectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy have beneficial effects on both overall survival and disease-free survival.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the rates of and indications for cesarean delivery among Syrian refugee women and local Turkish women. METHODS: The study included 74,864 pregnant women, of whom 52,145 were Turkish and 22,719 were Syrian refugee women and who gave birth at our hospital between January 2013 and December 2021. In this study, the pregnant women were divided into two groups: Syrian refugee women and Turkish women, and primary cesarean delivery rates were calculated separately for each group. Cesarean delivery rates for Syrian refugee women and Turkish women were compared separately for each year. Indications for cesarean delivery were determined separately for each group and compared between the groups. RESULTS: The overall cesarean delivery rate was 56% among Turkish women and 32% among Syrian women (p<0.05). The primary cesarean delivery rate was 18.4% for local Turkish women versus 10.7% among Syrian refugee women (p<0.05). The most common indication for cesarean delivery among both Syrian refugee women and local Turkish women was previous cesarean delivery, followed by acute fetal distress and cephalopelvic disproportion. CONCLUSION: Indications for cesarean delivery were similar for Syrian refugee women and local Turkish women, but both overall and primary cesarean delivery rates were higher among local Turkish women compared with Syrian refugee women.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Numerous physiological changes occur during pregnancy, which affect both the mother and the fetus. The objective of this study was to evaluate the magnesium, calcium, phosphate, parathormone (PTH), and vitamin D levels in each trimester of pregnancy. METHODS: In this study, 30 pregnant women in the first trimester, 30 pregnant women in the second trimester, 30 pregnant women in the third trimester, and 30 healthy, non-pregnant women (control) in the same age group were included. The serum magnesium, calcium, phosphate, PTH, and vitamin D levels were measured in all the participants. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found in the PTH and phosphate levels within the groups. In contrast, a significant difference was found in the vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium levels (p<0.001 for all). By analyzing the differences between the groups, the vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium levels were found to decrease with increase in the gestational weeks. CONCLUSION: For maintaining a healthy pregnancy and fetus, we recommend vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium levels to be included in routine follow-ups for each trimester and supplemented in case of deficiency.