On 29 and 30 November, final year medical student Rami Marios Saad and  penultimate year medical student Maya Kfoury , with the help of Dr. Savvas Argyridis and Professor Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran , participated in the 7th Obstetrical and Gynecological Congress at the Intercontinental Aphrodite Hills in Paphos.  Rami and Maya respectively presented two studies conducted at the Archbishop Makarios III hospital in Nicosia.

The first retrospective study discussed the ‘Screening for Diabetes during pregnancy.’ The purpose of the study was to screen the pregnant population for diabetes ( overt and/ or gestational) in order to assess its prevalence and to apply management strategies  to reduce possible complications to the mother, foetus and neonate.  A comparison between a two-step screening approach consisting of a glucose challenge test and an oral glucose tolerance test and a one-step approach which consists of only an oral glucose tolerance test was made.

In conclusion, the two step approach used as a universal screening method showed to be an effective method to screen for diabetes during pregnancy, and the effectiveness of early detection and management  of diabetes during pregnancy was reflected by the absence of macrosomic foetuses ( birth weight of more than 4500gr) or intrauterine deaths due to metabolic ketoacidosis.  However more studies are required in order to assess the rate of preeclampsia and neonatal morbidity in the diabetic mothers.

The second retrospective study discussed the ‘Management of dichorionic twin pregnancies with the death of one foetus.’  The purpose of the study was to monitor and manage dichorionic twin pregnancies that are complicated by the death of one foetus , in order to assess monitoring methods , further complication rate , timing of delivery and outcome. The study concluded that monitoring should include serial growth scans and maternal monitor of white blood cells,  platelets,  INR, and fibrinogen.  In addition, the co- twin should be monitored, and no immediate intervention should be performed in dichorionic twin pregnancies complicated by the death of one foetus when no other co-morbidities are present at time of death In order to improve outcome of co-twin.  Finally the delivery of co-twin is only indicated if any signs of infection or coagulopathy or foetal growth restrictions are diagnosed.  However more studies are needed to monitor the long term signs of neurodevelopmental impairment of co-twin.

The two students were congratulated by the committee.