Meryem Hocaoglu

Bio: Meryem Hocaoglu is an academic researcher from Istanbul Medeniyet University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Pregnancy & Gestational age. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 27 publications receiving 110 citations.

Anxiety and depression symptoms in the same pregnant women before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract: Objectives With clinical experience from previous coronavirus infections, public health measures and fear of infection may have negative psychological effects on pregnant women. This study aimed to compare the level of anxiety and depression in the same pregnant women before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods The pregnant women continuing pregnancy who participated in the first study which was undertaken to clarify the factors associated with mental health of pregnant women before the COVID-19 pandemic, were included for the current study during the outbreak. Anxiety and depression symptoms of the same pregnant women were evaluated by using the Inventory of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms II and Beck Anxiety Inventory twice before and during the pandemic. Results A total of 63 pregnant women completed questionnaires. The mean age of the women and the mean gestational age was 30.35±5.27 years and 32.5±7 weeks, respectively. The mean total IDAS II score was found to increase from 184.78±49.67 (min: 109, max: 308) to 202.57±52.90 (min: 104, max: 329) before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. According to the BAI scores the number of patients without anxiety (from 10 to 6) and with mild anxiety (from 31 to 24) decreased and patients with moderate (from 20 to 25) and severe anxiety (from 2 to 8) increased after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that obesity and relationship with her husband are the best predictors of IDAS II scores. Conclusions This study indicated that COVID-19 outbreak affects the mental health of pregnant women negatively which leads to adverse birth outcomes. The level of anxiety and depression symptoms of pregnant women during the COVID-19 infection significantly increased. Healthcare professionals should establish comprehensive treatment plans for pregnant women who are highly vulnerable population to prevent mental trauma during the infectious disease outbreaks.

Anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in Pregnant Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic's Delay Phase.

Abstract: Background The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic emerged in Wuhan, China and has spread all over the world and affected global mental health. Pregnant women may be particularly vulnerable and experience high levels of distress during an infectious disease outbreak. The aim of this study was to determine anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Subjects and methods This cross-sectional study surveyed a total of 283 pregnant women within the period of May 11 to May 28,2020. During their regular antenatal visit, pregnant women were invited to participate in the study. The self-created personal information form was used to assess the main characteristics of the participants. Anxiety and PTSD symptoms of the pregnant women were measured by the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R), respectively. Results The mean age of the pregnant women was 29.20±5.55 years. Regarding gestational age, 72 (25.4%), 86 (30.4) and 125 (44.2) were in the first, second and third trimesters, respectively. The mean gestational age was 23.82±11.05 weeks. The mean STAI-S and STAI-T scores were 39.52±10.56 within the cut-off value (39-40) of the instrument and 42.74±8.33, respectively. Furthermore, the mean total IES-R score was 36.60±15.65 within the cut-off value (24) of the instrument. Multiple regression analysis revealed that pregnancy complication (p=0.01) and employment status of husband (p=0.04) were the best predictors of state anxiety. Additionally, the presence of COVID-19-related symptoms (p=0.01) and educational level (p=0.01) were found to predict PTSD symptoms. Conclusions Pregnant women would be likely to experience high levels of anxiety and PTSD symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic's delay phase. The results should sensitize the medical team to increased anxiety and PTDS symptoms of the pregnant women in order to prevent negative outcomes for women and their fetuses.

Identification of miR-16-5p and miR-155-5p microRNAs differentially expressed in circulating leukocytes of pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome and gestational diabetes

Abstract: Pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at increased risk of gestational diabetes (GDM). We aimed to assess the expressions of candidate microRNAs (miRs) in leukocytes of pregnant ...

Comparison of maternal and fetal complications in pregnant women with breech presentation undergoing spontaneous or induced vaginal delivery, or cesarean delivery.

Abstract: Objective Breech presentation is the most common form of malpresentation, and associated with perinatal asphyxia and mortality, and maternal morbidity. Data associated with labor induction in breech presentation are limited. The aim of this study was to compare maternal and fetal complication rates in induced and spontaneous vaginal, and cesarean delivery with breech presentation. Materials and Methods Pregnant women with breech presentation were grouped: spontaneous vaginal delivery (Group 1, n = 72) induced or augmented vaginal delivery (Group 2, n = 32), and cesarean delivery (Group 3, n = 253). Fetal complications were as follows: clavicle fracture, femur fracture, humerus fracture, brachial plexus injury, cephalic hematoma, pneumothorax, need for intensive care unit (ICU), and 5th minute APGAR 2 g/dL), and postpartum endometritis. Data were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Results The highest fetal complication rate was in Group 2, and the lowest in Group 3 (p = 0.001). Clavicle fracture was significantly less in Group 3 compared with the other groups (p = 0.024). The rate of lower APGAR scores at the 5th minute was similar in all groups. Maternal complications were significantly higher in Group 2 compared with the other groups (p = 0.001). Fetal complications were 5.66-fold higher in Group 1 than in Group 3 (p = 0.002). Fetal and maternal complications were 9.48-fold and 7.48-fold higher, respectively, in Group 2 than in Group 3 (p Conclusion This study is the first in literature to have investigated and analyzed neonatal complications in breech delivery according to different delivery modes including induced vaginal delivery. Due to possible complications, the risks and benefits of a specific type of delivery should be considered in breech presentation.

MicroRNAs: Target Recognition and Regulatory Functions

Abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous ∼23 nt RNAs that play important gene-regulatory roles in animals and plants by pairing to the mRNAs of protein-coding genes to direct their posttranscriptional repression. This review outlines the current understanding of miRNA target recognition in animals and discusses the widespread impact of miRNAs on both the expression and evolution of protein-coding genes.

Clinical Practice Guideline No.49: Antenatal and postnatal mental health: clinical management and service guidance

Abstract: Prescriber 19 February 2015 z 11 prescriber.co.uk CG192. Antenatal and postnatal mental health: clinical management and service guidance. In this update to the 2007 guideline (CG45), NICE has revised everything except its recommendations on service organisation. It covers the recognition, assessment, care and treatment of mental health in women planning a pregnancy, during pregnancy and up to one year after childbirth. This includes ‘subthreshold symptoms’ as well as mild, moderate and severe disorders. Though most of the management during preconception, pregnancy and the postnatal period is usually provided through secondary care or specialist services, the guideline contains much that is relevant to primary care. NICE reminds prescribers that no psychotropic medication is specifically licensed for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding; prescribing should therefore follow guidance from the GMC and the woman’s informed consent should be documented. Discussions should cover how a mental health problem and its treatment or non-treatment might affect pregnancy (and vice versa) and the possible impact on the child and parenting. Information about treatment should take into account the latest safety information and the pros and cons of starting and stopping treatment. NICE provides what amounts to a checklist of the issues to be addressed and how to address them. Detailed advice covers the patient’s first contact with health services, sharing information about mental health between services, appropriate referral and assessment and care planning. NICE makes specific recommendations on prescribing, monitoring and managing the adverse effects of antidepressants, benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, antiepileptic drugs and lithium. Valproate should not be prescribed. Promethazine is recommended for women who have a severe or chronic sleep problem though the BNF categorises it as less suitable for prescribing. Breastfeeding should be encouraged (unless the mother is treated with carbamazepine, clozapine or valproate) and the infant should be monitored for adverse effects.

Mental Health of Pregnant and Postpartum Women During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract: Background: Prenatal and postnatal mental disorders can exert severe adverse influences on mothers, fetuses, and children. However, the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the mental health of pregnant and postpartum women remains unclear. Methods: Relevant studies that were published from January 1, 2019 to September 19, 2020 were identified through the systematic search of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases. Quality assessment of included studies, random-effects meta-analysis, sensitivity analysis, and planned subgroup analysis were performed. Results: A total of 23 studies conducted with 20,569 participants during the COVID-19 pandemic and with 3,677 pregnant women before the COVID-19 pandemic were included. The prevalence rates of anxiety, depression, psychological distress, and insomnia among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic were 37% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25-49%), 31% (95% CI 20-42%), 70% (95% CI 60-79%), and 49% (95% CI 46-52%), respectively. The prevalence of postpartum depression was 22% (95% CI 15-29%). Multigravida women and women in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy were more vulnerable than other pregnant women. The assessment of the associations between the COVID-19 pandemic and mental health problems revealed that the pooled relative risks of anxiety and depression in pregnant women were 1.65 (95% CI: 1.25-2.19) and 1.08 (95% CI: 0.80-1.46), respectively. Conclusions: The prevalence rates of mental disorders among pregnant and postpartum women during the COVID-19 pandemic were high. Timely and tailored interventions should be applied to mitigate mental problems among this population of women, especially multigravida women and women in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy.