Diagnosis and Management of Contemporary Issues in Maternal-Fetal Medicine, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418). This special issue belongs to the section "Clinical Diagnosis and Prognosis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2027 | Viewed by 763

Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Maternal–fetal medicine is a specialized field focusing on managing high-risk pregnancies to ensure the health of both the mother and the fetus. While advances in medical technology and prenatal care have improved outcomes, several contemporary challenges persist, requiring ongoing research and policy adjustments. Despite medical advancements, factors such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and hemorrhage contribute significantly to rising trends in maternal mortality rates. Moreover, prematurity remains a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The exact causes are often multifactorial, involving genetic, environmental, and medical factors. Efforts to prevent preterm labor have shown mixed success rates, highlighting the need for more effective interventions. Furthermore, many rural and underserved areas lack access to maternal–fetal medicine specialists, leading to delayed or inadequate prenatal care. Rising obesity rates have led to an increase in gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and other metabolic disorders, complicating pregnancies and increasing long-term health risks for both mothers and infants. Managing these conditions requires a multidisciplinary approach that includes lifestyle interventions and medical management. Advancements in fetal medicine, such as in utero surgeries and genetic testing, raise ethical dilemmas regarding fetal rights, parental decision-making, and resource allocation. Additionally, evolving abortion laws in various regions impact the management of high-risk pregnancies and fetal anomalies. To conclude, maternal–fetal medicine faces complex challenges that require a combination of medical innovation, policy reform, and equitable access to healthcare.

Dr. Ioannis Tsakiridis
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • maternal-fetal medicine
  • high-risk pregnancy
  • pregnancy outcome
  • pregnancy complications

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

23 pages, 2945 KB  
Article
A Decade of Adolescent Pregnancy—Risk Assessment—A Tertiary Center Retrospective Analysis
by Daniela Roxana Matasariu, Demetra Gabriela Socolov, Iuliana-Elena Bujor, Maria Elena Nita, Gabriel-Ioan Anton, Alexandra Ursache, Carmen Pintilescu, Monica Titianu, Vasile Lucian Boiculese, Ecaterina Tomaziu-Todosia Anton and Alexandru Carauleanu
Diagnostics 2026, 16(11), 1666; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16111666 - 28 May 2026
Viewed by 402
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Adolescent pregnancy, defined as pregnancy occurring between ages 10 and 19, remains a pressing global health concern with significant disparities in prevalence and outcomes across countries. Early and systematic diagnostic screening may allow timely risk stratification and adequate management. Methods: We conducted [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Adolescent pregnancy, defined as pregnancy occurring between ages 10 and 19, remains a pressing global health concern with significant disparities in prevalence and outcomes across countries. Early and systematic diagnostic screening may allow timely risk stratification and adequate management. Methods: We conducted this retrospective cohort study at a tertiary referral center from January 2015 through December 2024, including all women who delivered live fetuses at our facility, analyzing adolescent pregnancy outcomes in our region and comparing them with adult pregnancy outcomes. Results: Younger adolescents have higher rates of vaginal infections (45.3% vs. 38.1%), chorioamnionitis, urinary tract infections (6% vs. 4.9%), preterm birth, higher cesarean section rates, SGA and FGR fetuses, with more frequent NICU admissions than older adolescents. Adolescent pregnancies more often resulted in vaginal births compared to adult pregnancies but also showed higher rates of operative vaginal delivery, episiotomy, perineal tears, vaginal tears, and cervical lacerations. Gestational diabetes and excessive gestational weight gain were overall less common in adolescents, but pre-pregnancy maternal obesity was significantly more prevalent in the older adolescent group than in the younger ones. Gestational hypertension was about twice as frequent in adult pregnancies, while HELLP syndrome was approximately six times more common in adults than in adolescents. Conclusions: In summary, adolescent pregnancy presents both potential biological advantages and notable disadvantages, with outcomes resulting from the complex interplay of biological immaturity and socioeconomic factors. These results highlight the critical importance of implementing comprehensive early diagnostic screening protocols and structured antenatal care to facilitate earlier identification and mitigation of modifiable risk factors to improve both maternal and fetal outcomes. Full article
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