Thai Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Concerns about the Consumption of Contaminated Food during Pregnancy

Atiwit Threeratananont — 2026-08-31

Pregnancy is characterized by physiological adaptations of the maternal system, especially immune system that support fetal growth and development while increasing susceptibility to foodborne infections. Although most of food borne infections are often mild or present with nonspecific symptoms, they may result in serious adverse pregnancy outcomes. This review aims to summarize the major foodborne pathogens and food contaminants of clinical importance during pregnancy through a literature review and an illustrative case report. We present the case of a pregnant woman at 26 weeks and 4 days of gestation with an unremarkable antenatal course who developed Listeria monocytogenes infection after consuming uncooked pre-produced pork sausage. The infection resulted in spontaneous preterm delivery, and the neonate subsequently developed respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, and retinopathy of prematurity. In addition, this review discusses other important foodborne infections affecting pregnant women, including Salmonella and Toxoplasma gondii, together with food contaminants associated with seafood consumption, particularly pathogenic microorganisms and heavy metals such as methylmercury. Comprehensive food safety counseling should be incorporated into routine antenatal care. A vigorous hygiene practice and the consumption of well-cooked fresh foods should be strictly followed. Also, the utensils used for cooking food and preparing raw material should be kept separate from the food to prevent possible contamination, and the food area should be kept clean and be separate from animal defection areas.

Anencephalic Twins in Twin Pregnancy: A rare condition

Phurb Dorji — 2026-08-31

Background: Anencephaly is a type of lethal fetal congenital abnormality. The condition is characterized by absence of cerebral hemisphere and cranial vault above the base of the skull and orbits. There is no treatment. With good modern ultrasound machines, it can be diagnosed in the late first trimester and all cases can be diagnosed in the second trimester.
Case: We report this case as it is one of those rare cases, where both fetuses are affected with anencephaly in twin pregnancy. A 35-year-old, gravida 3, para 2-0-0-2, presented at 5 months of pregnancy who came to clinic in 2022. She was found to have monochorionic and monoamniotic twin pregnancy with both twins having anencephaly. After proper counseling, the couple opted for termination of the pregnancy. She had termination of pregnancy with misoprostol with no complications.
Conclusion: We need to be vigilant for the most severe form of complications in monochorionic monoamniotic twin pregnancy. Pre-pregnancy folic acid supplementation should be given to all women few months before pregnancy and to be continued till end of first trimester to prevent neural tube diseases.

Gradual Vaginal and Perineal Dilation for Atraumatic Transvaginal Uterine Retrieval: Reconsidering Uterine Retrieval Strategies in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

Takayuki Nagasawa — 2026-09-01

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is widely performed in gynecology; however, transvaginal uterine retrieval may be complicated by vaginal or perineal lacerations, particularly in cases where uterine fragmentation should be avoided. We describe a practical technique using gradual vaginal and perineal dilation with a Sakurai-type vaginal speculum inserted at the beginning of surgery. This method was applied in three cases (two endometrial cancer and one HSIL/CIN3) in which transvaginal uterine retrieval was anticipated to be technically demanding. In all cases, transvaginal uterine retrieval was completed without vaginal or perineal lacerations requiring suturing, and no prolonged vaginal dilation, increased perineal pain, or abnormal bleeding was observed. Gradual vaginal and perineal dilation combined with careful incision site selection may facilitate safer transvaginal uterine retrieval in MIS.

Rare variant of unicornuate uterus with functional uterine horn and ipsilateral renal agenesis: a case report

Dipti Das — 2026-08-31

Background: A unicornuate uterus is a rare congenital malformation of the Mullerian duct caused by incomplete development of one duct, often associated with obstructive complications and renal anomalies.

Case presentation: A 12-year-old girl reported progressive left-sided lower abdominal pain and cyclical dysmenorrhea unresponsive to analgesics. Ultrasonography revealed hematometra, hematocolpos, and an absent left kidney. While MRI indicated a bicornuate uterus with hematometra, hematosalpinx, and a possible left endometriotic cyst, vaginoscopy showed a single right-sided cervix, ruling out hematocolpos. Diagnostic laparoscopy confirmed a right unicornuate uterus with a non-communicating functional left uterine horn, along with a left hematosalpinx and an endometriotic cyst. Surgical removal of the rudimentary horn, hematosalpinx, and endometriotic cyst was performed. The patient recovered well with relief of pain in subsequent menstrual cycles.

Conclusion: Early Ultrasound and MRI may facilitate the diagnosis, but laparoscopy provides definitive evaluation and management of such a rare congenital anomaly while preserving long-term reproductive health.

Intriguing Review and Topics in Fifth Issue of Thai Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 2026

Vorapong Phupong — 2026-08-29

This fifth issue of Thai Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 2026 contains many interesting articles. The special article is “Concerns about the consumption of contaminated food during pregnancy”. The authors reviewed immunological changes during pregnancy, Listeriosis monocytogenes infection, Salmonella infection, Toxoplasmosis infection, and contaminants related to seafood/fish⁽¹⁾.

Development and Evaluation of Usability and Perceived Usefulness of the BESIDE MOM mHealth Application for Mothers Caring for Preterm Infants: A Pilot Study

Netsumol Jatulajanyalate — 2026-08-31

Objectives: To develop the BESIDE MOM web application to support preterm infant care and to conduct a pilot evaluation of its usability and perceived usefulness among healthcare professionals and mothers of preterm infants.

Materials and Methods: This pilot study involved the development of a web application informed by a comprehensive literature review and expert validation. The application was evaluated by 23 participants—10 mothers of preterm infants and 13 healthcare professionals—over a 7-day period. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering five domains: system usability, design, content, perceived usefulness, and user satisfaction. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results: The application provided comprehensive features for education, health monitoring, and support functions, including 18 educational topics on preterm infant care, video-based maternal experiences, growth and developmental tracking, appointment reminders, chatbot support, frequently asked questions, and emergency contact information. It was accessible via mobile phones, tablets, and computers. Among mothers, 100% rated the domains of system usability, design and interface, content quality, perceived usefulness, and user satisfaction at a very high level. Among healthcare professionals, 76.9%–92.3% rated these domains at a very high level, with system usability receiving the highest ratings. All perceived usefulness items received positive ratings (scores 4–5) from both mothers and healthcare professionals.

Conclusion: Findings from this pilot study suggest that the BESIDE MOM web application demonstrated high usability, perceived usefulness, and user satisfaction among participating mothers of preterm infants and healthcare professionals. The application was perceived as supporting access to information related to preterm infant care. Further studies with larger samples are needed to confirm these preliminary findings and evaluate the application’s effectiveness.

Oral Micronized Progesterone 200 mg/day versus 600 mg/day for Maintenance Tocolysis after Arrested Preterm Labor: A randomized controlled trial

Noochanart Pattanapanyasat — 2026-08-31

Objectives: To compare the efficacy of oral micronized progesterone 200 mg/day versus 600 mg/day in maintaining pregnancy after arrested preterm labor.
Materials and Methods: A single-center randomized controlled trial was conducted at Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital, Thailand (June 2023–January 2024). Pregnant women with preterm labor between 24+0 and 33+6 weeks’ gestation, successfully treated with acute tocolysis, were randomized to receive either oral micronized progesterone 200 mg/day or 600 mg/day until 36 weeks. The primary outcome was the rate of term delivery. Secondary outcomes included gestational age at delivery, latency period, birth weight, neonatal outcomes, and adverse drug effects.
Results: Ninety-eight women were randomized (49 per group). Baseline characteristics were comparable. Term delivery occurred in 79.6% of women in the 200 mg group versus 73.5% in the 600 mg group (p = 0.475). Median latency was 34 days (interquartile range, IQR 28.5, 47) and 39 days (IQR 26, 47.5), respectively (p = 0.820). Mean gestational age at delivery was 37.3 ± 1.4 weeks vs 37.1 ± 2.1 weeks (p = 0.531). Mean birth weight was 2,874 ± 418 g vs 2,833 ± 503 g (p=0.663). Two neonates (4.1%) in the 600 mg group developed hypoxia and one (2%) required neonatal intensive care unit admission; none occurred in the 200 mg group. No severe maternal side effects were observed.
Conclusion: The efficacy of oral micronized progesterone 200 mg/day was not different from 600 mg/day in maintaining pregnancy after arrested preterm labor. Due to the absence of a placebo group, the study cannot conclude that oral micronized progesterone is effective for maintenance tocolysis after arrested preterm Labor.

Prevalence and Etiologies of Hydrops Fetalis: 9 years period in King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital

Pimpat Chawarntunpipat — 2026-08-31

Objectives: To assess the prevalence and etiologies of hydrops fetalis in King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (KCMH) during a 9-year period.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted. Medical records and laboratory investigations, such as ultrasonographic findings, placental pathology, and autopsy of singleton pregnant women diagnosed with hydrops fetalis (HF) at all gestational ages who delivered at KCMH between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2017, were reviewed. Patients’ clinical characteristics and results of all investigations were evaluated and analyzed.
Results: 147 cases of hydrops fetalis were diagnosed out of 46,858 total deliveries at KCMH between 2009 and 2017 (0.31%). Immune HF occurred in 2 cases (1.4%), whereas non-immune HF (NIHF) occurred in 145 cases (98.6%). Among the two cases of immune HF, the cause was Rhesus blood group incompatibility. Regarding the 145 cases of NIHF, a cause was identified in 106 cases (73.1%), while the cause remained unidentified in 39 cases (26.9%). The most common cause of NIHF was hemoglobin Bart’s hydrops (24.1%), followed by chromosomal abnormalities (11.7%), lymphatic abnormalities (11.7%), and cardiovascular malformations (11%). Of the 147 cases, 40 (27.2%) were live births, but more than half died during the neonatal period, with only 15 (10.2%) surviving.
Conclusion: The prevalence of HF in KCMH between 2009 and 2017 was 0.31%. 98.6% were NIHF in which the most commonly known etiology was hemoglobin Bart’s hydrops.

The Prevalence and Risk Factors of Dysmenorrhea in Adolescent Girls at Demonstration School of Khon Kaen University

Panadda Wongwichittranon — 2026-08-31

Objectives: To study the prevalence of dysmenorrhea and factors associated with moderate to severe symptoms among adolescents at Demonstration School of Khon Kaen University.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional anonymous online survey was conducted between May and July 2025. Dysmenorrhea severity was measured using a numeric rating scale (0–10) and categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. Predictive factors included age, body mass index, menstrual history (age at menarche, number of pads used per day, and frequency of dysmenorrhea episodes in the past 6 months), exercise, and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. Treatment methods and academic impact were also evaluated. Statistical analyses and logistic regression were applied to identify associated factors.
Results: Among 245 respondents, 35.8% were aged 12–14 years. Dysmenorrhea prevalence was 87.3% (204/245), with 74% reporting moderate to severe symptoms. Adolescents aged 15–18 years (odds ratio (OR) 2.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16, 4.48, p = 0.017) and those reporting symptoms in ≥4 of the past six cycles (OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.39, 5.35, p = 0.003) were more likely to report moderate to severe dysmenorrhea. Compared with the mild group, those with moderate-to-severe dysmenorrhea reported greater medication use (p < 0.001), rest from usual activities (p = 0.021), and reduced academic performance (p = 0.001). Only 5.9% sought medical care, and fewer than 8% reported regular exercise.
Conclusion: Dysmenorrhea was highly prevalent among adolescents, with most reporting moderate to severe symptoms, and it can begin as early as age 12. Older adolescents and those with more frequent episodes were at higher risk of severe symptoms.