Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for JCM Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Pregnancy and Delivery Complications: Bridging Research and Clinical Practice

Print Special Issue Flyer
Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Obstetrics & Gynecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 September 2026 | Viewed by 4967

Share This Special Issue

Editors

Dr. Maria Patricia Roman

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Mother and Child Department, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interests: urogynaecology; childbirth pelvic floor trauma; pelvic floor ultrasound; obstetric fistula; obstetrics

Dr. Andrei Mihai Malutan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Mother and Child Department, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interests: pelvic pathology; prenatal ultrasonography; pregnancy complications; twin pregnancy; placental disorders

Dr. Răzvan Ciortea

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Mother and Child Department, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interests: maternal-fetal medicine; obstetrics; laparoscopic gynaecology; fetal ultrasound; high-risk pregnancy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue seeks to advance contemporary obstetric care by disseminating cutting-edge research and expert perspectives on individualized pregnancy and childbirth management. By compiling high-quality original studies, systematic reviews, and expert commentaries, we aim to conduct the following:

Promote innovative strategies for risk stratification and outcome optimization in maternal–fetal medicine.
Address unresolved clinical challenges through multidisciplinary research.
Provide actionable insights to refine clinical protocols and improve perinatal health globally.

Submission topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

Maternal–fetal and perinatal complications

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy; gestational diabetes mellitus; thyroid dysfunction; autoimmune diseases in pregnancy; placental disorders; preterm birth prevention; multiple gestation complications; pregnancy-associated sepsis; birth dystocia chorioamnionitis; ART-related complications; obesity in pregnancy; birth asphyxia; and neonatal sepsis.

Childbirth-related pelvic floor disorders

Childbirth perineal trauma (e.g., obstetric anal sphincter injuries, obstetric fistula); pelvic organ prolapse/urinary incontinence post vaginal delivery; and transperineal ultrasound.

Emerging research areas

Microbiome and pregnancy complications; AI applications in predicting pregnancy complications; environmental exposures (endocrine disruptors and air pollution) and adverse outcomes; and patient-reported outcomes and outcome measures (PROs/PROMs) for assessing pregnancy and childbirth care quality.

We would like to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue, which hopes to collectively advance maternal and neonatal health through innovation, evidence, and collaboration.

Dr. Maria Patricia Roman
Dr. Andrei Mihai Malutan
Dr. Răzvan Ciortea
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Clinical Medicine is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

maternal–fetal medicine
obstetric complications
perinatal health
pelvic floor disorders
childbirth perineal trauma
risk stratification
patient-reported outcomes
patient-reported outcome measures

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

12 pages, 1590 KB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography on the Management of Postpartum Hemorrhage with Extravasation

by Suk Hwan Hyun, Byung Hun Kang, Hae Ri Kim, Ye Won Jung, Won Kyo Shin, Soo Youn Song, Jae Sung Choi, Young Bok Ko, Mina Lee, Mia Park, You Jin Kim, Hyeon Jin Na, Yeo Kyeong Bae and Heon Jong Yoo

J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(14), 5642; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15145642 - 18 Jul 2026

Viewed by 220

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate the association of contrast extravasation (EV) detected on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) with the clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of patients with postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 51 patients with PPH who underwent CE-CT between August 2013 and July 2024. Patients were classified into EV (−) group (n = 28) and EV (+) group (n = 23). Baseline characteristics, management strategies, and clinical outcomes were compared. Results: The proportion of patients with a shock index (SI) ≥ 1.0 was significantly higher in the EV (+) group (10.7% vs. 39.1%, p = 0.017). Surgical intervention was more frequently required in the EV (+) group (10.7% vs. 56.5%, p = 0.001), whereas conservative management alone was more frequently successful in the EV (−) group (89.3% vs. 43.5%, p = 0.001). The EV (+) group showed higher rates of massive blood loss (> 2000 mL, 3.6% vs. 34.8%, p = 0.009), longer hospital stays (4.61 ± 2.61 vs. 6.88 ± 3.78 days, p = 0.034), and more frequent intensive care unit (ICU) admission (10.7% vs. 34.8%, p = 0.039). Patients in the EV (+) group had higher transfusion requirements (p < 0.005) and increased rates of disseminated intravascular coagulation (7.1% vs. 30.4%, p = 0.032). Conclusions: The presence of EV on CE-CT in PPH was associated with more severe clinical features, including greater transfusion requirements, increased rates of surgical intervention, ICU admission, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Additionally, a higher proportion of patients with EV had a shock index ≥ 1.0, indicating early hemodynamic compromise. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pregnancy and Delivery Complications: Bridging Research and Clinical Practice)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 939 KB

Open AccessArticle

Incidence and Independent Risk Factors for Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries: A Four-Year Retrospective Cohort Study from a UK Tertiary Maternity Unit

by Maryada Malla, Stergios Doumouchtsis, Demetri Christian Panayi, Zainab Khan and Anand Singh

J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(11), 4396; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15114396 - 5 Jun 2026

Viewed by 843

Abstract

Background: Obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) are a major cause of long-term maternal morbidity. Identification of risk factors is central to prevention strategies. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted including all singleton, term, cephalic vaginal births over a four-year period (September 2018 to September 2022) at a UK tertiary maternity unit. OASIS was defined as third- or fourth-degree perineal tears according to RCOG criteria. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors. A pre-specified sensitivity analysis restricted to nulliparous women was performed. Secondary outcomes included postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), defined as blood loss >1 L. Reporting follows the STROBE statement for cohort studies. Results: Among 9586 vaginal births, 270 OASIS cases were identified, corresponding to an incidence of 2.82%. Independent predictors included nulliparity (aOR 7.12, 95% CI 5.07–10.01), Asian ethnicity (aOR 3.50, 95% CI 2.55–4.81), shoulder dystocia (aOR 3.45, 95% CI 1.89–6.32), and birthweight ≥4000 g (aOR 1.85, 95% CI 1.16–2.95). Maternal age ≥35 years showed a borderline association (aOR 1.34, 95% CI 0.99–1.80, p = 0.056). Using forceps as the reference, ventouse (aOR 0.28, 95% CI 0.17–0.47) and spontaneous vaginal delivery (aOR 0.23, 95% CI 0.13–0.39) were associated with lower OASIS odds. Episiotomy (recorded as a binary variable) was associated with lower adjusted odds of OASIS (aOR 0.27, 95% CI 0.17–0.44). PPH occurred in 21.5% of women with OASIS versus 6.5% without (p < 0.001). Conclusions: OASIS risk is driven by a combination of maternal, fetal, and intrapartum factors. Selective mediolateral episiotomy was associated with lower adjusted odds of OASIS in this cohort, but this is an observational finding and does not constitute proof of a causal protective effect. It should be interpreted cautiously given the retrospective design, the recording of episiotomy as a binary variable without procedural detail, and the substantial potential for residual confounding by indication. The findings support targeted perineal protection strategies and selective rather than routine episiotomy use. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pregnancy and Delivery Complications: Bridging Research and Clinical Practice)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 257 KB

Open AccessArticle

Pregnancy Complications in Uterine Anomalies—A Pilot Study

by Claudiu Voic, Melinda Ildiko Mitranovici, Septimiu Voidazan, Cezara Maria Mureşan and Elena Silvia Bernad

J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(8), 2827; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15082827 - 8 Apr 2026

Viewed by 2493

Abstract

Uterine malformation represents a rare disease with a prevalence of up to 7% of the general population. Background/Objectives: Higher pregnancy complication rates have been reported in the literature; thus, in our study, we aimed to examine not only the obstetric complications encountered but also the psychological interventions and multidisciplinary approaches for parental counseling in our department in the context of preterm birth at the limit of viability. Methods: A retrospective pilot study was conducted on all the women in our department between 2010 and 2017 with congenital uterine malformations associated with infertility or pregnancy. In the study group, we included women with AUCs (n = 26), while the control group included pregnant women with normal uteri (n = 25) (total: n = 51), and then pregnancy complications were investigated. Results: Highly significant pregnancy complications were observed in the study group, the most important being preterm birth (p = 0.003) in comparison with the control group. Out of 26 patients with AUCs, only 14 gave birth to a live fetus compared to 22 out of the 25 with normal pregnancies, meaning that failure to give birth to a live newborn statistically significantly increased among the former group (p = 0.004). In terms of birth weight (p = 0.0001), Apgar score (p = 0.029) and intensive care unit admission (p = 0.0001), we observed significant differences between the newborns in the study group versus controls, with an impact on mental state that required psychological support. Conclusions: A clear correlation was observed in our study between uterine congenital malformations and pregnancy complications. The most common pregnancy outcome was premature delivery, with statistical significance. In addition, higher neonate admissions to the intensive care unit associated with lower Apgar scores were encountered compared with normal pregnancies. Appropriate parental counseling by obstetricians, neonatologists and psychologists could enhance pregnancy outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pregnancy and Delivery Complications: Bridging Research and Clinical Practice)

22 pages, 766 KB

Open AccessArticle

Phenotypes of Preterm Birth: A Retrospective Cohort Study from a Tertiary Romanian Centre as a Framework for Future Genomic and Proteomic Research

by Cristiana-Elena Durdu, Madalina Nicoleta Mitroiu, Bianca Margareta Salmen, Vlad Dima, Adrian Neacsu and Roxana-Elena Bohiltea

J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(5), 1831; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15051831 - 27 Feb 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 635

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Preterm birth (PTB) is a major global cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, and its heterogeneous mechanisms limit the development of reliable prediction tools. Recent genomic and proteomic studies have highlighted molecular pathways involving inflammation, extracellular matrix dysfunction, and uterine activation, yet their clinical integration remains limited. Defining distinct clinical phenotypes may facilitate more targeted biomarker research. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of singleton spontaneous preterm births (24–36 + 6 weeks) at Filantropia Clinical Hospital, Bucharest (2022–2024). Maternal and neonatal data were extracted from electronic records. Four phenotypes were defined by presentation (preterm premature rupture of membranes—PPROM vs. contractions) and maternal inflammatory status. Statistical comparisons used ANOVA or Kruskal–Wallis tests, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression adjusted for gestational age and birth weight to assess neonatal outcomes. Results: Of 585 preterm births, 318 spontaneous singleton cases met inclusion criteria. The cohort was predominantly late preterm, with 85.5% of deliveries occurring between 34 and 36 + 6 weeks’ gestation. Four phenotypes were identified: phenotype 1 inflammatory PPROM (22.3%), phenotype 2 structural PPROM (38.1%), phenotype 3 mixed inflammatory + uterine activation (11.9%), and phenotype 4 uterotonic/endocrine phenotype (19.2%). Conclusions: These clinical phenotypes exhibited distinct maternal and neonatal patterns and correspond to mechanisms increasingly supported by genomic and proteomic studies. They may provide a practical framework for integrating clinical and molecular approaches in future PTB research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pregnancy and Delivery Complications: Bridging Research and Clinical Practice)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Pregnancy and Delivery Complications: Bridging Research and Clinical Practice

Share This Special Issue

Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI