Navigating Pregnancy and Its Complications: Challenges and Innovations in Maternal–Fetal Medicine

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 August 2025 | Viewed by 686

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University General Hospital “ATTIKON”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
Interests: endometriosis; pain; inflammation; inhibitors
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Pregnancy, a remarkable physiological state, is not without its challenges. Among the most pressing challenges in maternal–fetal medicine is the rising incidence of pregnancy-related complications such as gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, preterm labor, and others. These conditions not only pose immediate risks but can also have short- and long-term implications for both mothers and their children. Despite advancements in prenatal care, significant disparities remain in health outcomes based on socioeconomic status, access to care, and education. This Special Issue will serve as a platform for multidisciplinary perspectives, bridging the gap between the latest research and clinical practices which address these pressing challenges.

Within this scope, the primary objectives of this Special Issue include the following:

  • Innovations in Screening and Early Detection: advances in ultrasound technology, non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), and biomarkers that enable the early identification of complications;
  • Management of High-Risk Pregnancies: evidence-based practices for the early identification, personalized care, and effective managing of conditions complicating pregnancy;
  • Telemedicine in Pregnancy: the role of telehealth technologies in providing care and support for pregnant individuals, particularly in remote areas or during public health crises;
  • Innovative Therapies and Interventions: exploration of new pharmaceutical therapies, lifestyle interventions, and surgical techniques aimed at reducing complications and improving outcomes;
  • Mental Health of Pregnant Women: importance of psychological support and interventions in managing maternal mental health during and after pregnancy complications.

Ultimately, this Special Issue not only aims to contribute to the existing literature but also seeks to inspire ongoing efforts to enhance care for pregnant women and their families.

Dr. Nikolaos Machairiotis
Guest Editor

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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-blind 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

  • pregnancy
  • obstetrics
  • diabetes
  • high risk
  • preeclampsia
  • labor
  • delivery
  • hypertension
  • hemorrhage
  • embryo
  • screening

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.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

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

Published Papers (2 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

9 pages, 1850 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Roll-Over Test in Preeclamptic and Healthy Pregnant Women Using Arterial Stiffness Measurements—Prospective Case–Control Study
by Szilárd Szatmári, Dániel T. Nagy, Bence Kozma, Dénes Páll, Zoltán Szabó, Béla Fülesdi and Petronella Hupuczi
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(9), 2897; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14092897 - 23 Apr 2025
Abstract
Background: The early recognition of systemic hemodynamic changes resulting from uteroplacental circulation disturbance in preeclampsia (PE) is of great importance for its appropriate treatment and prevention. The aim of the present study was to assess the hemodynamic changes during a roll-over test in [...] Read more.
Background: The early recognition of systemic hemodynamic changes resulting from uteroplacental circulation disturbance in preeclampsia (PE) is of great importance for its appropriate treatment and prevention. The aim of the present study was to assess the hemodynamic changes during a roll-over test in healthy normotensive and preeclamptic pregnant women using applanation tonometry. Patients and methods: Healthy pregnant and PE women in their third trimester were studied. First, applanation tonometry was performed in a resting state on the right radial artery of each subject. In the second phase, the measurements were repeated in the left-lateral position and 5 min after turning each patient into a supine position (roll-over test = ROT). The systolic and diastolic central and peripheral blood pressures, pulse pressures, and augmentation index (AIx75) values were registered for all phases. Results: A total of 21 PE and 14 healthy pregnant women entered this study. At rest, the PE patients had higher systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressures; the preeclamptic patients had higher peripheral and central blood pressure and pulse pressure values compared to the healthy controls. A statistically significant difference was found between the augmentation index (AIX-75) values for the preeclamptic and healthy pregnant women (healthy pregnant: 9.0 ± 2.4 vs. preeclamptic: 18.9 ± 6.0; p = 0.019). During the ROT, no significant differences could be detected in the applanation tonometry parameters within the groups. The differences between the PE and healthy pregnant women continued to exist in the left-lateral and supine positions during the roll-over test. Conclusions: This is the first study combining a roll-over test and arterial stiffness measurements in healthy pregnant females and in those with PE. Although we can confirm that arterial stiffness measurements can be used to detect hemodynamic changes in pregnant women with PE, combining it with a roll-over test is unsuitable for improving the method’s sensitivity. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

14 pages, 803 KiB  
Review
MicroRNAs in Preeclampsia: Bridging Diagnosis and Treatment
by Angeliki Gerede, Sofoklis Stavros, Maria Danavasi, Anastasios Potiris, Efthalia Moustakli, Nikolaos Machairiotis, Athanasios Zikopoulos, Konstantinos Nikolettos, Peter Drakakis, Nikolaos Nikolettos, Makarios Eleftheriades and Ekaterini Domali
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(6), 2003; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14062003 - 15 Mar 2025
Viewed by 455
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a multifactorial hypertensive disorder that typically manifests after the twentieth week of pregnancy, significantly impacting perinatal mortality and neonatal morbidity. Its development is influenced by immunological components, systemic inflammation, and genetic factors, with placental malfunction playing a crucial role. While [...] Read more.
Preeclampsia (PE) is a multifactorial hypertensive disorder that typically manifests after the twentieth week of pregnancy, significantly impacting perinatal mortality and neonatal morbidity. Its development is influenced by immunological components, systemic inflammation, and genetic factors, with placental malfunction playing a crucial role. While many aspects of its pathophysiology have been elucidated, its key mechanisms remain incompletely understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small noncoding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression, have emerged as promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets in PE. Dysregulated miRNAs have been identified in pregnant PE patients, highlighting their role in disease onset. Placenta-specific miRNAs, such as miR-210 and miR-155, influence inflammation, endothelial function, and hypoxia responses, which are closely associated with PE development. These miRNAs play a crucial role in regulating trophoblast invasion, angiogenesis, and immune modulation, further linking their dysregulation to the pathophysiology of PE. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the role of miRNAs in PE, focusing on their potential as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. By integrating recent advancements in molecular research, we explore their implications in clinical practice, particularly in risk assessment, early detection, and novel treatment strategies. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop