Pregnant patients require intensive medical treatment relatively rarely: in industrialized countries they account for only about 2% of ICU-patients. Compared to pregnancy, the need for intensive care occurs more often in the immediate postpartum setting, primarily due to peripartum complications such as severe haemorrhage, hypertensive crises, or sepsis. The treatment of such patients requires a multiprofessional and interdisciplinary approach involving obstetricians, neonatologists, intensive care physicians, nursing staff, and other specialists, as well as, if necessary, psychologists. Particular importance is attached to involving the (competent-to-consent) patient and her relatives in clinical decision-making processes. In the case of fetal viability, and if the mother's condition is stable, transfer to a hospital with connected obstetrics and neonatology should be considered. Maternal X-ray examinations are possible during pregnancy, taking into account the fetal radiation dose.

Rezidivierende Spontanaborte (RSA) – definiert als 3 oder mehr konsekutive Fehlgeburten in derselben Partnerschaft – stellen ein komplexes Krankheitsbild dar, das etwa 1–3

Almost 25 years ago, trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), was licensed for the treatment of patients with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer in the United States of America (USA) [...].

IntroductionStudies have shown that pregnant women with COVID-19 have a higher risk of intensive care unit admission and invasive mechanical ventilation support than non-pregnant women. Pregnancy-associated physiological changes in respiratory function may contribute to the elevated risk. Alteration in lung volumes and capacities are attributed to the mechanical impediment caused by the growing fetus. Multiple pregnancies may therefore compromise functional lung capacity earlier than singleton pregnancies and contribute to severe respiratory symptoms of COVID-19.Materials and MethodsA total of 5514 women with a symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy registered in the COVID-19 Related Obstetric and Neonatal Outcome Study were included. The COVID-19-related adverse maternal outcomes were compared in 165 multiple versus 5349 singleton pregnancies. Combined adverse maternal outcome was defined as presence of COVID-19-related hospitalization and/or pneumonia and/or oxygen administration and/or transfer to ICU and/or death. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.ResultsThe frequency of dyspnea, likelihood of developing dyspnea in a defined pregnancy week and duration of the symptomatic phase of the COVID-19 infection did not differ between the two groups. On average, COVID-19-related combined adverse outcome occurred earlier during pregnancy in women expecting more than one child than in singleton pregnancies. The overall incidence of singular and combined COVID-19-associated adverse maternal outcomes was not significantly different between groups. However, regression analysis revealed that multiple gestation, preconceptional BMI > 30 kg/m( 2) and gestational age correlated significantly with an increased risk of combined adverse maternal outcome. Conversely, maternal age and medically assisted reproduction were not significant risk factors for combined adverse maternal outcome.ConclusionOur data show that multiple gestation alone is a risk factor for COVID-19-associated combined adverse maternal outcome. Moreover, severe courses of COVID-19 in women expecting more than one child are observed earlier in pregnancy than in singleton pregnancies.

Purpose The aim of this guideline is to standardize the diagnosis and therapy of recurrent miscarriage (RM) using evidence from the recent literature. This is done by using consistent definitions, objective evaluations and standardized treatment protocols. Methods When this guideline was compiled, special consideration was given to previous recommendations in prior versions of this guideline and the recommendations of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, and a detailed individual search of the literature about the different topics was carried out. Recommendations Recommendations about the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures offered to couples with RM were developed based on the international literature. Special attention was paid to known risk factors such as chromosomal, anatomical, endocrinological, physiological coagulation, psychological, infectious and immune disorders. Recommendations were also developed for those cases where investigations are unable to find any abnormality (idiopathic RM).

SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease are associated with an increased risk of hypertensive pregnancy disease in international registry studies. Preexisting hypertensive disorders are recognized as a risk factor of severe COVID-19 progression in pregnancy. The respective damage to the endothelium is discussed as a pathophysiological commonality of both diseases. Data of the national CRONOS registry (data status 05/2021; 1104 pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection) were analyzed regarding the association of hypertensive pregnancy disease and maternal, pregnancy, neonatal, and COVID-19 disease outcomes. In the presence of hypertensive pregnancy disease, a severe combined outcome of pregnancy (17.3 vs. 4.3%, p=0.001), mother (25.0 vs. 9.4%, p=0.001), and newborn (28.8 vs. 9.1%, p < 0.0005) occurred significantly more frequent. In contrast, the outcome of COVID-19 disease did not differ (3.8 vs. 7.5%, p=0.424). The co-occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and hypertensive pregnancy disease should be acknowledged as risk factor during management decisions.

Cervical cancer has caused substantial morbidity and mortality for millions of women over the past decades. While enormous progress has been made in diagnosis, prevention and therapy, the disease is still fatal for many women-especially in low-income countries. Since no detailed studies are available on the worldwide research landscape, we here investigated the global scientific output related to this cancer type by an established protocol. The "New Quality and Quantity Indices in Science" platform assessed all relevant cervical cancer research published in the Web of Science since 1900. A detailed analysis was conducted including country-specific research productivity, indicators for scientific quality, and relation of research activity to socioeconomic and epidemiologic figures. Visualization of data was generated by the use of density equalizing map projections. Our approach identified 22,185 articles specifically related to cervical cancer. From a global viewpoint, the United States of America was the dominating country in absolute numbers, being followed by China and Japan. By contrast, the European countries Sweden, Austria, and Norway were positioned first when the research activity was related to the population number. When the scientific productivity was related to annual cervical cancer cases, Scandinavian countries (Finland #1, Sweden #4, Norway #5, Denmark #7), the Alpine countries Austria (#2) and Switzerland (#6), and the Netherlands (#3) were leading the field. Density equalizing mapping visualized that large parts of Africa and South America were almost invisible regarding the global participation in cervical cancer research. Our data documented that worldwide cervical cancer research activity is continuously increasing but is imbalanced from a global viewpoint. Also, the study indicated that global and public health aspects should be strengthened in cervical carcinoma research in order to empower more countries to take part in international research activities.

BACKGROUND:Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 infections in pregnancy have been associated with maternal morbidity, admission to intensive care, and adverse perinatal outcomes such as preterm birth, stillbirth, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. It is unclear whether medically assisted reproduction additionally affects maternal and neonatal outcomes in women with COVID-19.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effect of medically assisted reproduction on maternal and neonatal outcomes in women with COVID-19 in pregnancy.STUDY DESIGN:A total of 1485 women with COVID-19 registered in the COVID-19 Related Obstetric and Neonatal Outcome Study (a multicentric, prospective, observational cohort study) were included. The maternal and neonatal outcomes in 65 pregnancies achieved with medically assisted reproduction and in 1420 spontaneously conceived pregnancies were compared. We used univariate und multivariate (multinomial) logistic regressions to estimate the (un)adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for adverse outcomes.RESULTS:The incidence of COVID-19-associated adverse outcomes (eg, pneumonia, admission to intensive care, and death) was not different in women after conceptions with COVID-19 than in women after medically assisted reproduction pregnancies. Yet, the risk of obstetrical and neonatal complications was higher in pregnancies achieved through medically assisted reproduction. However, medically assisted reproduction was not the primary risk factor for adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes including pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes mellitus, cervical insufficiency, peripartum hemorrhage, cesarean delivery, preterm birth, or admission to neonatal intensive care. Maternal age, multiple pregnancies, nulliparity, body mass index >30 (before pregnancy) and multiple gestation contributed differently to the increased risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with COVID-19 independent of medically assisted reproduction.CONCLUSION:Although women with COVID-19 who conceived through fertility treatment experienced a higher incidence of adverse obstetrical and neonatal complications than women with spontaneous conceptions, medically assisted reproduction was not the primary risk factor.

Michael K. Bohlmann · Dörthe Brüggmann · Friederike Hoellen 1 Zentrum für Gynäkologie & Geburtshilfe, St. Elisabethen-Krankenhaus, PerinatalzentrumLevel 1, Lörrach, Deutschland 2 Klinik für Geburtshilfe und Pränatalmedizin, Klinikum der Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt, Deutschland 3 Klinik für Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein – Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Deutschland

While roughly 30% of all women experience a spontaneous miscarriage in their lifetime, the incidence of recurrent (habitual) spontaneous miscarriage is 1-3% depending on the employed definition. The established risk factors include endocrine, anatomical, infection-related, genetic, haemostasis-related and immunological factors. Diagnosis is made more difficult by the sometimes diverging recommendations of the respective international specialist societies. The present study is therefore intended to provide a comparison of existing international guidelines and recommendations. The guidelines of the ESHRE, ASRM, the DGGG/OEGGG/SGGG and the recommendations of the RCOG were analysed. It was shown that investigation is indicated after 2 clinical pregnancies and the diagnosis should be made using a standardised timetable that includes the most frequent causes of spontaneous miscarriage. The guidelines concur that anatomical malformations, antiphospholipid syndrome and thyroid dysfunction should be excluded. Moreover, the guidelines recommend carrying out pre-conception chromosomal analysis of both partners (or of the aborted material). Other risk factors have not been included in the recommendations by all specialist societies, on the one hand because of a lack of diagnostic criteria (luteal phase insufficiency) and on the other hand because of the different age of the guidelines (chronic endometritis). In addition, various economic and consensus aspects in producing the guidelines influence the individual recommendations. An understanding of the underlying decision-making process should lead in practice to the best individual diagnosis and resulting treatment being offered to each couple.

Background From a global viewpoint, endometrial cancer belongs to the most common female cancers. Despite the heavy burden of diseases and numerous unanswered questions, no detailed pictures of the global structure of endometrial cancer research are available so far. Therefore, this malignancy was reviewed using the New Quality and Quantity Indices in Science (NewQIS) protocol. Methods Using NewQIS, we identified endometrial carcinoma related research published in the Web of Science from 1900–2015 (P1) and from 2016–2020 (P2). Item analysis was performed with regard to research activity. Also, semi-qualitative aspects and socio-economic benchmarks were visualized using density equalizing mapping. Results In total, 9,141 from 1900–2015 and 4,593 from 2016–2020 endometrial cancer related studies were identified with the USA having the largest numbers of publications, citations, institutions, as well as the highest country-specific h-Index concerning endometrial cancer research in both periods. In contrast to other fields of cancer research, the two East Asian countries Japan and China followed concerning total research activities until 2015. From 2016 until 2020, China was found in short distance to the USA and was ranked second. In the socio-economic analysis, European countries were in prominent positions. Greece published 579.83 endometrial carcinoma-related articles per billion US-$ GDP, Finland (527.29), Sweden (494.65), Israel (493.75), and Norway (367.85) followed in the ranking. Density equalizing mapping visualized that large parts of Africa, Asia and South America with a high burden of disease played almost no visible role in the endometrial cancer research activities. Conclusions Endometrial cancer research activity is continuously increasing from a global viewpoint. However, the majority of original articles is published by authors based in high-income countries. Together with the finding that the research field of public health does only play a minimal role, our study points to the necessity that global health aspects should be introduced to endometrial cancer research.

Abstract Background: Ribociclib (RIB, a selective CDK4/6 inhibitor) plus an aromatase inhibitor (AI) or fulvestrant (FUL) is approved for the treatment of premenopausal and postmenopausal women with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer (aBC). Real-world evidence for the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of RIB + AI/FUL in routine clinical practice is needed to support the use of this combination. Methods: RIBANNA is a noninterventional study ongoing in Germany since October 2017. Premenopausal and postmenopausal patients (N=3020) treated with RIB + AI/FUL, or endocrine monotherapy (ET), or chemotherapy (CT) as first-line treatment for HR+/HER2- aBC in accordance with German guidelines were included. Data are being collected from clinical practice in all 3 cohorts. Further lines of treatment are noted to examine outcomes of sequential therapy. Results: For the first interim analysis, 461 patients were enrolled until October 9, 2018, while full analysis set comprised 282 patients (Table 1). The first-line mean daily dose of RIB was 382 mg including and 540 mg excluding dose interruptions, respectively. RIB was prescribed mainly in combination with letrozole (83%), anastrozole (8%), and exemestane (7%); ET included nonsteroidal AI (64%), selective estrogen receptor degrader (25%), selective estrogen receptor modulator (7%), and steroidal AI (5%); CT included taxane-based monotherapy (30%) or combination therapy (27%), other monotherapy (23%) or other combination therapy (13%), and anthracycline-based combination therapy (5%). Conclusion: RIBANNA study showed diverse population characteristics among patients who received RIB treatment in a real-world setting. Based on the baseline demographics data, RIB (CDK4/6 inhibitor) treatment was found to be very well adopted among premenopausal and postmenopausal patients with HR+/HER2- aBC. The second interim analysis is planned for October 2019. Updated baseline data of approximately 1200 to 1300 patients and information on safety and dose modification for first-line patients from all cohorts will be presented. Table 1. Baseline demographic characteristicsTotal (N = 282)RIB + AI (n = 216)Endocrine therapy (n = 26)Chemotherapy (n = 40)Mean age, years (SD)67 (11)67 (10)71 (12)62 (10)Mean time since initial diagnosis, years5.45.56.53.9T stage at initial diagnosis, n (%)T0+T161 (100)48 (79)6 (10)7 (11)T2-T4198 (100)149 (75)17 (9)32 (16)N stage at initial diagnosis, n (%)N0+N1186 (100)144 (77)16 (9)26 (14)N2+N364 (100)48 (75)5 (8)11 (17)M stage at initial diagnosis, n (%)M0156 (100)121 (78)14 (9)21 (13)M1101 (100)75 (74)9 (9)17 (17)Locally advanced, n (%)101 (100)73 (72)9 (9)19 (19)Metastatic, n (%)101 (100)75 (74)9 (9)17 (17)Metastatic location, n (%)CNS, liver, lungs119 (100)96 (81)1 (1)22 (18)Bone only84 (100)62 (74)17 (20)5 (6)Skin, lymph nodes, other52 (100)37 (71)6 (11)9 (17) Citation Format: Achim Wöckel, Pawel Basiora, Michael Bohlmann, Thomas Decker, Jörg Falbrede, Peter Fasching, Helmut Forstbauer, Tobias Hesse, Oliver Hoffmann, Christian Jackisch, Anna Kaczerowsky, Ralf Lorenz, Kerstin Lüdtke-Heckenkamp, Diana Lüftner, Frederik Marmé, Thomas Mueller, Christoph Mundhenke, Arnd Nusch, Volker Petersen, Gabriele Prange-Krex, Toralf Reimer, Thomas Resch, Christian Roos, Oliver Tomé, Anja Weishap. Real-world efficacy of ribociclib + aromatase inhibitor, or endocrine monotherapy, or chemotherapy as first-line treatment in postmenopausal women with HR-positive, HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer: Second interim analysis from the RIBANNA study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-19-33.

Myome sind bei einer beträchtlichen Anzahl an Frauen in der fertilen Lebensphase nachzuweisen und können abhängig von Größe und Lokalisation durch Symptome wie z. B. Blutungsstörungen, Unterbauchschmerzen, Druckbeschwerden und Sterilität auffallen. Neben operativen und medikamentösen Therapieoptionen stellen radiologisch-interventionelle Vorgehensweisen etablierte Behandlungsverfahren eines symptomatischen Uterus myomatosus dar. Im Rahmen der Übersicht werden die beiden bedeutsamsten radiologisch-interventionellen Verfahren – Embolisation der Uterusarterien und hochintensiver fokussierter Ultraschall – in Hinblick auf interventionelles Vorgehen, Voraussetzungen und Indikationen, Kontraindikationen, Nebenwirkungen und Fertilitätsaspekte beleuchtet.

Introduction Supporting and counselling couples with fertility issues prior to starting ART is a multidisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The first German-language interdisciplinary S2k guideline on "Diagnosis and Therapy Before Assisted Reproductive Treatments (ART)" was published in February 2019. The guideline was developed in the context of the guidelines program of the German Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGGG) in cooperation with the Swiss Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (SGGG) and the Austrian Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (OEGGG). Aim In one third of cases, the cause of involuntary childlessness remains unclear, even if the woman or man have numerous possible risk factors. Because the topic is still very much taboo, couples may be socially isolated and often only present quite late to a fertility center. There is no standard treatment concept for these patients at present, as there are currently no standard multidisciplinary procedures for the diagnostic workup and treatment of infertility. The aim of this guideline is to provide physicians with evidence-based recommendations for counselling, diagnosis and treatment. Methods This S2k guideline was developed on behalf of the Guidelines Commission of the DGGG by representative members from different professional medical organizations and societies using a structured consensus process. Recommendations This second part of the guideline describes the hematological workup for women as well as additional diagnostic procedures which can be used to investigate couples and which are carried out in cooperation with physicians working in other medical fields such as andrologists, geneticists and oncologists.

Introduction Supporting and counselling couples with fertility issues prior to starting ART is a multidisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The first German/Austrian/Swiss interdisciplinary S2k guideline on "Diagnosis and Therapy Before Assisted Reproductive Treatments (ART)" was published in February 2019. This guideline was developed in the context of the guidelines program of the German Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGGG) in cooperation with the Swiss Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (SGGG) and the Austrian Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (OEGGG). Aims One third of the causes of involuntary childlessness are still unclear, even if the woman or man have numerous possible risk factors. Because the topic is still very much taboo, couples may be socially isolated and often only present quite late to a fertility center. At present, there is no standard treatment concept, as currently no standard multidisciplinary procedures exist for the diagnostic workup and treatment of infertility. The aim of this guideline is to provide physicians with evidence-based recommendations for counselling, diagnostic workup and treatment. Methods This S2k guideline was developed on behalf of the Guidelines Commission of the DGGG by representative members from different professional medical organizations and societies using a structured consensus process. Recommendations The first part of this guideline focuses on the basic assessment of affected women, including standard anatomical and endocrinological diagnostic procedures and examinations into any potential infections. Other areas addressed in this guideline are the immunological workup with an evaluation of the patient's vaccination status, an evaluation of psychological factors, and the collection of data relating to other relevant factors affecting infertility. The second part will focus on explanations of diagnostic procedures compiled in collaboration with specialists from other medical specialties such as andrologists, human geneticists and oncologists.

Rezidivierende habituelle Spontanaborte betreffen etwa 1–3 % aller Partnerschaften. Neben genetischen, endokrinen, anatomischen, autoimmunen und infektiösen Ursachen wurden in der Vergangenheit auch thrombophile Faktoren im Kontext der Pathogenese dieses Krankheitsbilds diskutiert. In Analogie hierzu wird unter dem Begriff des rezidivierenden Implantationsversagens die Konstellation verstanden, dass es im Rahmen einer Behandlung mit In-vitro-Fertilisation bzw. intrazytoplasmatischer Spermieninjektion nach mehreren Embryonentransfers zu keinem Schwangerschaftseintritt gekommen ist. Auch für diese Konstellation wurden mütterliche Thrombophilien verantwortlich gemacht. Die vorliegende Übersichtsarbeit stellt die aktuelle Datenlage zur Diagnostik und Therapie beider Entitäten dar.

Tubal factor infertility (TFI) accounts for more than 30% of the cases of female infertility and mostly resides from an inflammatory process triggered by an infection. Clinical appearances largely differ, and very often infections are not recognized or remain completely asymptomatic over time. Here, we characterized the microbial pattern in females diagnosed with infectious infertility (ININF) in comparison to females with non-infectious infertility (nININF), female sex workers (FSW) and healthy controls (fertile). Females diagnosed with infectious infertility differed significantly in the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against the C. trachomatis proteins MOMP, OMP2, CPAF and HSP60 when compared to fertile females. Microbiota analysis using 16S amplicon sequencing of cervical swabs revealed significant differences between ININF and fertile controls in the relative read count of Gardnerella (10.08% vs. 5.43%). Alpha diversity varies among groups, which are characterized by community state types including Lactobacillus-dominated communities in fertile females, an increase in diversity in all the other groups and Gardnerella-dominated communities occurring more often in ININF. While all single parameters did not allow predicting infections as the cause of infertility, including C. trachomatis IgG/IgA status together with 16S rRNA gene analysis of the ten most frequent taxa a total of 93.8% of the females were correctly classified. Further studies are needed to unravel the impact of the cervical microbiota in the pathogenesis of infectious infertility and its potential for identifying females at risk earlier in life.

Habituelle Aborte gehen mit einem hohen Leidensdruck der betroffenen Paare einher. In dieser Arbeit sollen – angelehnt an die S1-Leitlinie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe (DGGG) – die nach heutiger Evidenz sinnvollen diagnostischen und therapeutischen Maßnahmen bei habituellen Aborten dargestellt werden.