The Impact of Infertility on Women’s Social Life and the Role of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)

Infertility shall be defined as failure to conceive naturally after one year of unprotected sexual relations with the same partner. Worldwide, average births per woman have been falling for at least two generations, and for the first time in more than a hundred years, the total world population growth is slowing. Europe has the lowest total fertility rate. Since 1950, the average births per woman in Europe has fallen from more than 3 to only 1.6There are multiple factors that affect a couple’s chances of conceiving. Apart from changes in attitudes, affordability of child and healthcare, it is partially down to infertility.Western countries have undergone variable economic expansion, marriage is no longer essential to family life, fewer people adhere to religions that encourage large families, tertiary education is available for both men and women and women are now more likely to be employed outside their home

First trimester screening and progesterone levels in HIV positive women under HAART therapy

Objectives: HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) that ultimately determines the development of AIDS evolved in time in a pandemic disease.  Our study evaluated first trimester markers for aneuploidy, serum progesterone levels in first and second trimester in HIV positive pregnant women under HAART therapy. Material and methods: It was a prospective study that took place between January 2017- December 2019 in ʺCuza-Vodăʺ Hospital from Romania. We analysed first trimester PAPP-A, βHCG, first and second trimester progesterone of 25 HIV positive pregnant women under HAART therapy and compared them with seronegative pregnant women. Results: Both βHCG and first and second trimester progesterone were lower in HIV positive women under HAART therapy. Discussion: These alterations of first trimester markers for aneuploidy might lead to an over estimation of the risk for Down syndrome. Conclusions: Obstetricians need to know the alterations of first trimester markers for aneuploidy so they can correctly advise these women accordingly

Multiple-frequency bioimpedance devices for fluid management in people with chronic kidney disease receiving dialysis : a systematic review and economic evaluation

The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme. Acknowledgements The authors are grateful to Lara Kemp for her secretarial support. The authors would also like to thank the members of the specialist committee assembled to support this assessment: Dr Andrew Davenport (Royal Free Hospital, London), Dr Simon Roe (Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust), Dr Elizabeth Lindley (St James’s University Hospital), Dr Wesley Hayes (Great Ormond Street Hospital), Ms Joanne Prince (Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust), Mr Nick McAleer (Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust), Dr Kay Tyerman (Leeds General Infirmary), Dr Graham Woodrow (St James’s University Hospital) and Mr Paul Taylor (lay specialist committee member). The Health Services Research Unit, Health Economics Research Unit and Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen are all core funded by the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health DirectoratesPeer reviewedPublisher PD