Abstract Objective To assess the effect of short‐term maternal fasting on uterine, umbilical, and middle cerebral artery Doppler indices, and on maternal serum glucose levels and fetal behavior. Methods Maternal serum glucose levels, fetal biophysical profiles, and uterine, umbilical, and middle cerebral artery Doppler indices were assessed in 110 healthy women in the third trimester of pregnancy after fasting for 10–12 hours and 2 hours after a balanced meal. Results Maternal serum glucose levels, nonstress test results, fetal breathing movements, and biophysical profile improved after a meal compared with after fasting for 10–12 hours. Uterine, umbilical, and middle cerebral artery Doppler indices were not significantly different after fasting and after a meal. Conclusion Short‐term maternal fasting during the third trimester of pregnancy has no effect on uterine, umbilical, or fetal cerebral artery Doppler indices, and has a transient but significant effect on maternal serum glucose levels and fetal behavior.

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Objective. To compare pregnancy outcomes in cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) with sys- temic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and healthy pregnant women. Design. Cohort comparative study. Setting. Two university maternity centers in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Popula- tion. Pregnant women with CLE and SLE and healthy pregnant women. Methods. Over a three-year period, 201 participants were allocated to three groups: group 1 (n = 67) contained women with CLE, group 2 (n = 67) women with SLE, and group 3 healthy controls (n = 67). Diagnosis of lupus erythematosus was based on American College of Rheumatology criteria. All participants were followed until delivery. Lupus exacerbation was evaluated by Lupus Activity Index score. ANOVA and chi-squared tests were used to compare obstetrical and neo- natal outcomes, and regression analysis was used to define independent factors of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Main outcome measures. Pregnancy losses, preterm labor, intrauterine growth restriction, preeclampsia, neonatal intensive care unit admissions, cesarean sections and lupus exacerbations. Results. There was no significant difference between groups 1 and 3 in rates of pregnancy loss, preterm labor, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction and neonatal intensive care admission. Group 1 had lower pregnancy loss (p = 0.005), growth restriction (p = 0.001), preeclampsia (p = 0.05), neonatal intensive care admissions (p = 0.001), cesarean section (p = 0.03), lupus exacerbations (p = 0.05) and anti-phospholipid antibodies (p = 0.02) compared with group 2. In groups 1 and 2, lupus exacerbation and anti-phospholipid antibodies were significant independent factors for adverse outcomes. Conclusions. Cutaneous lupus erythematosus means comparable pregnancy outcomes to those of the healthy population. Lower rates of disease exacerbation and anti-phospholipid antibod- ies are potential factors for better pregnancy outcome in CLE compared with SLE.

Objective. To compare pregnancy outcomes in cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) with sys- temic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and healthy pregnant women. Design. Cohort comparative study. Setting. Two university maternity centers in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Popula- tion. Pregnant women with CLE and SLE and healthy pregnant women. Methods. Over a three-year period, 201 participants were allocated to three groups: group 1 (n = 67) contained women with CLE, group 2 (n = 67) women with SLE, and group 3 healthy controls (n = 67). Diagnosis of lupus erythematosus was based on American College of Rheumatology criteria. All participants were followed until delivery. Lupus exacerbation was evaluated by Lupus Activity Index score. ANOVA and chi-squared tests were used to compare obstetrical and neo- natal outcomes, and regression analysis was used to define independent factors of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Main outcome measures. Pregnancy losses, preterm labor, intrauterine growth restriction, preeclampsia, neonatal intensive care unit admissions, cesarean sections and lupus exacerbations. Results. There was no significant difference between groups 1 and 3 in rates of pregnancy loss, preterm labor, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction and neonatal intensive care admission. Group 1 had lower pregnancy loss (p = 0.005), growth restriction (p = 0.001), preeclampsia (p = 0.05), neonatal intensive care admissions (p = 0.001), cesarean section (p = 0.03), lupus exacerbations (p = 0.05) and anti-phospholipid antibodies (p = 0.02) compared with group 2. In groups 1 and 2, lupus exacerbation and anti-phospholipid antibodies were significant independent factors for adverse outcomes. Conclusions. Cutaneous lupus erythematosus means comparable pregnancy outcomes to those of the healthy population. Lower rates of disease exacerbation and anti-phospholipid antibod- ies are potential factors for better pregnancy outcome in CLE compared with SLE.

Objective. To compare pregnancy outcomes in cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) with sys- temic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and healthy pregnant women. Design. Cohort comparative study. Setting. Two university maternity centers in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Popula- tion. Pregnant women with CLE and SLE and healthy pregnant women. Methods. Over a three-year period, 201 participants were allocated to three groups: group 1 (n = 67) contained women with CLE, group 2 (n = 67) women with SLE, and group 3 healthy controls (n = 67). Diagnosis of lupus erythematosus was based on American College of Rheumatology criteria. All participants were followed until delivery. Lupus exacerbation was evaluated by Lupus Activity Index score. ANOVA and chi-squared tests were used to compare obstetrical and neo- natal outcomes, and regression analysis was used to define independent factors of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Main outcome measures. Pregnancy losses, preterm labor, intrauterine growth restriction, preeclampsia, neonatal intensive care unit admissions, cesarean sections and lupus exacerbations. Results. There was no significant difference between groups 1 and 3 in rates of pregnancy loss, preterm labor, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction and neonatal intensive care admission. Group 1 had lower pregnancy loss (p = 0.005), growth restriction (p = 0.001), preeclampsia (p = 0.05), neonatal intensive care admissions (p = 0.001), cesarean section (p = 0.03), lupus exacerbations (p = 0.05) and anti-phospholipid antibodies (p = 0.02) compared with group 2. In groups 1 and 2, lupus exacerbation and anti-phospholipid antibodies were significant independent factors for adverse outcomes. Conclusions. Cutaneous lupus erythematosus means comparable pregnancy outcomes to those of the healthy population. Lower rates of disease exacerbation and anti-phospholipid antibod- ies are potential factors for better pregnancy outcome in CLE compared with SLE.

NULLAbstract: Objectives: to evaluate the effect of oral ginkgo biloba extract (GB)) on asymmetrical intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Study Design: A randomized trial conducted at Assiut Women Health on 226 pregnant women with asymmetrical IUGR. The patients randomly received GB extract or placebo for 6 weeks. The main outcome measures were improvement in fetal weight and feto-maternal blood flow. The data were analyzed by Student’s t- test and chi- squared tests. Result: There was a significant increase in the estimated fetal weight in the GB group (3047+ 127 gm) when compared to the placebo group (2734+ 127 gm) (p=0.001). Moreover; there were significant increases in feto-maternal blood flow in GB group compared to the placebo group. Conclusions: GB extract improves placental functions, Doppler indices and fetal weight in pregnancies complicated with IUGR fetuses.

NULLAbstract: Objectives: to evaluate the effect of oral ginkgo biloba extract (GB)) on asymmetrical intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Study Design: A randomized trial conducted at Assiut Women Health on 226 pregnant women with asymmetrical IUGR. The patients randomly received GB extract or placebo for 6 weeks. The main outcome measures were improvement in fetal weight and feto-maternal blood flow. The data were analyzed by Student’s t- test and chi- squared tests. Result: There was a significant increase in the estimated fetal weight in the GB group (3047+ 127 gm) when compared to the placebo group (2734+ 127 gm) (p=0.001). Moreover; there were significant increases in feto-maternal blood flow in GB group compared to the placebo group. Conclusions: GB extract improves placental functions, Doppler indices and fetal weight in pregnancies complicated with IUGR fetuses.

NULLAbstract: Objectives: to evaluate the effect of oral ginkgo biloba extract (GB)) on asymmetrical intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Study Design: A randomized trial conducted at Assiut Women Health on 226 pregnant women with asymmetrical IUGR. The patients randomly received GB extract or placebo for 6 weeks. The main outcome measures were improvement in fetal weight and feto-maternal blood flow. The data were analyzed by Student’s t- test and chi- squared tests. Result: There was a significant increase in the estimated fetal weight in the GB group (3047+ 127 gm) when compared to the placebo group (2734+ 127 gm) (p=0.001). Moreover; there were significant increases in feto-maternal blood flow in GB group compared to the placebo group. Conclusions: GB extract improves placental functions, Doppler indices and fetal weight in pregnancies complicated with IUGR fetuses.