BACKGROUND: As part of EUROCAT's surveillance of congenital anomalies in Europe, a statistical monitoring system has been developed to detect recent clusters or long-term (10 year) time trends. The purpose of this article is to describe the system for the identification and investigation of 10-year time trends, conceived as a ...

This study was undertaken in order to evaluate the effect of brucellosis in pregnancy. The serum agglutination test, Coombs and/or blood culture systems were used in the diagnosis of brucellosis. From July 2003 to September 2010, the clinical and delivery patterns of 40 healthy pregnant women were compared with 39 ...

Thrombophilias have been implicated in complications related to ischemic placental disease including recurrent pregnancy loss, intrauterine fetal demise, preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, placental abruption, and preterm delivery. Maternal screening and treatment may lower the recurrence of these outcomes. Our objective was to estimate if antenatal screening for thrombophilias with the ...

The uterus undergoes dramatic remodelling in preparation for embryo implantation and pregnancy establishment. A receptive uterus is pivotal for embryo attachment, implantation and the eventual formation of a hemochorial placenta. We have previously identified by proteomics that tropomyosin alpha-4 chain (TPM4), protein disulfide isomerase A1 (PDIA1) and src substrate cortactin ...

Placental malaria is hypothesized to lead to placental insufficiency, which causes fetal growth restriction (FGR). In this review, recent discoveries regarding the mechanisms of pathogenesis by which malaria causes FGR are discussed in the wider context of placental function and fetal growth. Placental malaria and associated host responses can induce ...

Exposure to prenatal inflammation is a known risk factor for long term neurobehavioral disorders including cerebral palsy, schizophrenia, and autism. Models of systemic inflammation during pregnancy have demonstrated an association with an immune response an adverse neurobehavioral outcomes for the exposed fetus. Yet, the most common route for an inflammatory ...

Prenatal loss, the death of a fetus/child through miscarriage or stillbirth, is associated with significant depression and anxiety, particularly in a subsequent pregnancy. This study examined the degree to which symptoms of depression and anxiety associated with a previous loss persisted following a subsequent successful pregnancy. Data were derived from ...

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of fetal cystoscopy in the prenatal diagnosis and intervention for congenital lower urinary tract obstruction. METHODS: Literature search using Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, MEDION, Web of Science reference lists, and contact with experts. All studies reporting on fetal cystoscopy in lower urinary tract obstruction with ...

To explore the effects of maternal smoking during pregnancy on offspring growth using three approaches: (1) multiple adjustments for socioeconomic and parental factors, (2) maternal-paternal comparisons as a test of putative intrauterine effects and (3) comparisons between two birth cohort studies. Population-based birth cohort studies were carried out in Pelotas, ...

Objective: To explicate the ontological statuses of both the fetus and neonate as a basis for clinical ethical judgments about the obligations of both physicians and pregnant women to protect the life and health of both the fetus and the neonate. Methods: Despite drastic changes in perinatology, there is still ...

There is growing evidence that pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), IUGR, and premature birth could be associated with abnormal immunologic interactions at the fetal-maternal interface. The restricted expression of HLA-G to the subpopulation of trophoblast cells which invade the uterus has generated much interest. The alternative ...

Numerous data highlight the importance of a fine regulation of the fetal growth for the individual's subsequent susceptibility to diseases. Recent evidence suggests that neurotrophins may have important functions during pregnancy and that they could modulate fetal growth. We hypothesize that neurotrophins may participate in fetal growth by different pathways: ...

To examine the association between mental health factors with smoking cessation during pregnancy and postpartum relapse. We used data from 1,416 women who participated in the Minnesota Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System survey in 2004-2006 and reported smoking immediately prior to pregnancy. Maternal mood during pregnancy, stressful life events and ...

Background/Objectives:To examine the prevalence and combined occurrence of peri-conceptional folic acid (FA) supplement use, smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy in a sample of women in Dublin, and determine the factors associated with these health behaviours.Subjects/Methods:A prospective observational study (2004-2006) involving the recruitment of 491 pregnant women from antenatal clinics ...

Due to the low occurrence of cancer during pregnancy, limited data are available about outcome of infants exposed to chemotherapy in utero. We report the case of a newborn who developed transient ventricular hypocinesia and late-onset infection after in utero exposure to four epirubicin cycles for pregnancy-associated breast cancer. Moreover, ...

Pre-eclampsia has a strong association with adverse outcomes: high incidences at term, and low incidences of morbidity; low incidences remote from term, high incidences of morbidity. The ultimate cure for pre-eclampsia is delivery of the placenta, but gestational age at delivery has an effect on perinatal outcome. We review aspects ...

Background: Cancer occurs during one in 1000-5000 of the approximately 6 million yearly US pregnancies identified by the American Pregnancy Association. Although a newly diagnosed cancer is associated with substantial distress, little is known about cancer's emotional impact on women when diagnosed during pregnancy, and no studies have been conducted ...

We report on the prenatal and postnatal cytogenetic, molecular genetic and clinical findings in monochorionic diamniotic twins discordant for trisomy 18. For prenatal diagnosis sampling of both sacs is recommended in monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy, especially if one twin has structural anomalies on ultrasound scan. Copyright © 2011 ISUOG. Published ...

The purpose of the study was to examine ethnic variation in the impact of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) on birth outcome. The authors examined the association between GDM and pregnancy-induced hypertension, macrosomia, primary Cesarean delivery, and preterm birth, using New York City Birth Certificate data from 2001-2006. Logistic regression was ...

Objective.?To examine the impact of maternal obesity on maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods.?Women with singleton pregnancies and GDM enrolled in an outpatient GDM education, surveillance and management program were identified. Maternal and neonatal pregnancy outcomes were compared for obese (pre-pregnancy BMI???30?kg/m(2)) and ...

The etiology of congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) remains controversial. Ultrasonographically, severe fibrosis involving the entire sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM; type 3 or 4) fibrosis has been associated with poor clinical outcomes and indicates a chronic state of the condition. The purpose of this study was to test whether or not type ...

We sought to determine whether prophylactic treatment with 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17Pc) in twin pregnancy will reduce neonatal morbidity (primary outcome) by prolonging pregnancy (secondary outcome). This was a double-blind, randomized clinical trial. Mothers carrying dichorionic-diamniotic twins were randomly assigned (in a 2:1 ratio) to weekly injections of 250 mg of ...

To describe pregnancies with conjoined twins according to the request for legal termination of pregnancy. Retrospective review of pregnancies with conjoined twins, with no possibility of extrauterine survival or postnatal surgical separation, observed at a tertiary teaching hospital, between 1998 and 2010. Amongst 30 cases seen during the study period, ...

Objective: Misclassification of body mass index (BMI) by pregnant women could be a significant barrier to minimizing weight-related adverse pregnancy outcomes and improving the short- and long-term health of mother and child. The primary objective in this study was to determine the proportion of a group of pregnant women who ...

Fetal electrocardiogram (ECG) ST segment analysis (STAN) was approved in 2005 in the United States as an adjunct to electronic fetal heart rate monitoring to determine whether obstetrical intervention is warranted when there is an increased risk for developing metabolic acidosis. STAN has utility in the reduction of fetal acidosis ...

Pre-eclampsia (P-EC), a heterogenic multisystem disorder characterized by hypertension and proteinuria, usually develops in the second half of pregnancy. The incidence is 2 to 5%, and P-EC is therefore a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Although the exact etiology is unknown, placental factors released into the ...

Electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) using cardiotocography is a common tool used during labor and delivery for assessment of fetal well-being. It has largely replaced the use of intermittent auscultation and fetal scalp pH sampling. However, data suggesting improved clinical outcomes with the use of EFM are sparse. In this review, ...

Prenatal exposure to alcohol has profound effects on many aspects of fetal development. Although alterations of somatic growth and specific minor malformations of facial structure are most characteristic, the effects of alcohol on brain development are most significant in that they lead to substantial problems with neurobehavioral development. Since the ...

To evaluate the influence of previous perinatal loss, anxiety, depressive symptoms, impact of the previous loss, and maternal investment in the baby on mothers' healthcare utilization (HCU) during the subsequent pregnancy and postpartum periods. A longitudinal, cohort study design gathered telephone interview data from 36 mothers with a history of ...

To compare obstetric and delivery outcomes between myoma-complicated pregnancies and pregnancies that follow myomectomy. Among the 7,589 deliveries performed in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Osaka University Hospital, Osaka, Japan, from 1994 to 2007, women with a past history of myomectomy and those with myoma during their ...

To determine if there is a certain age when the uterus is somewhat less receptive to successful pregnancy despite the transfer of embryos from donated oocytes. We conducted a retrospective evaluation of donor oocyte recipient cycles according to specific ages. The recipients used an oral/vaginal graduated estradiol regimen followed by ...

To assess the validity of retrospectively reported maternal behaviors while attempting pregnancy. Participants in a prospective pregnancy cohort study with periconception enrollment were queried about use of cigarettes, alcohol, vitamins and caffeine and the consumption of sport fish while attempting pregnancy. Prospective longitudinal data reported in daily diaries (gold standard) ...

Pre-eclampsia (P-EC) poses an increased risk for fetal and maternal morbidity and sometimes even mortality. Several risk factors have been identified, among which an important extensively studied group is formed by the early recognizable genetic factors resulting in thrombophilia. The discussion is ongoing whether the associations found for thrombophilia are ...

A review of standardized fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring definitions and interpretation. Evidence suggests that standardization of intrapartum management can reduce adverse outcomes and professional liability claims. However, standardization of FHR monitoring has been impeded by a lack of consensus on standard definitions and interpretation. In recent years, consensus has ...

Intrauterine pregnancy in the presence of an intrauterine device (IUD) is a rare event. If the pregnancy is desired, IUD removal must be negotiated so that the risk of pregnancy disruption is minimized. Cases in which the IUD strings are "missing" present further challenges. We report successful removal of a ...

Available evidence now suggests that magnesium sulfate administered to mothers prior to early preterm delivery reduces the risk of cerebral palsy in surviving neonates. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists along with the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine state that physicians who choose to administer magnesium sulfate for neuroprotection should ...

Background  Typically, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are in their reproductive years, raising questions about safely using antitumour necrosis factor antibodies like infliximab (IFX) during pregnancy. IgG antibodies naturally cross the placenta, especially during the last trimester. To prevent foetal intra-uterine exposure, stopping IFX treatment at gestational week 30 is ...

Information that would allow the identification of women who were pregnant at the time of death or within the year preceding death has historically been underreported on death certificates. As a result, the magnitude of the problem of pregnancy-associated mortality is underestimated. To improve the identification of these deaths, check ...

Background:  A woman's refusal or request for a cesarean section can be a problem for midwives and obstetricians working in maternity units. The objective of this study was to describe the attitudes of midwives in Sweden toward the obstetrician's decision making in relation to a woman's refusal of an emergency ...

Vaginal bleeding is the most common cause of emergency care in the first trimester of pregnancy and accounts for the majority of premenopausal bleeding cases. Ultrasound evaluation combined with a quantitative beta human chorionic gonadotropin test is an established diagnostic tool to assess these patients. Spontaneous abortion because of genetic ...

Objective: To determine the obstetric and perinatal outcome in multiple pregnancies at a teaching hospital. Study Design: Cross-sectional observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Unit-A of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, PGMI, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, from January to December 2009. Methodology: The analysis included data on all ...

Simultaneous mifepristone 200mg and vaginal misoprostol 800μg produces a complete abortion rate of approximately 90% at up to 63 days of gestation. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of concurrent administration of mifepristone 200mg and vaginal misoprostol 600μg with respect to early medical abortion. A total ...

: To estimate how number of oral contraceptive pill packages dispensed relates to subsequent pregnancies and abortions. : We linked 84,401 women who received oral contraceptives through the California family planning program in January 2006 to Medi-Cal pregnancy events and births conceived in 2006. We compared pregnancy rates for women ...

One of the greatest physiologic challenges during pregnancy is to maintain an adequate supply of oxygenated blood to the uteroplacental circulation for fetal development. This challenge is magnified under conditions of limited oxygen availability. High altitude impairs fetal growth, increases the incidence of preeclampsia, and, as a result, significantly increases ...

The original expectation of fetal pulse oximetry (FPO) for the field of obstetrics was predicated on the tremendous positive impact pulse oximetry had upon the fields of anesthesiology, critical care medicine, and many other disciplines of medicine. With the general acceptance that many, if not most, concerning fetal heart rate ...

The placenta is fundamentally important for the success of pregnancy. Disruptions outside the normal range for placental function can result in pregnancy failure and other complications. The anatomy of the placenta varies greatly across mammals, as do key parameters in pregnancy such as neonatal body mass, length of gestation and ...

Owing to the frequent use of bedside ultrasound, much is known about the regulation of and normative values for amniotic fluid volume and the mechanisms by which this fluid is regulated. The management protocols for conditions with extremes of amniotic fluid volume have become more exact, resulting in interventions more ...

There have been several studies confirming an association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and low birth weight. The detrimental effect of nicotine exposure beginning in fetal life continues during lactation, in infancy and in the early childhood period. In our previous studies, we found increased aortic intima-media thickness (aIMT) as ...

The environment of a pregnant mother has a life-long impact on later life of offspring. Maternal stress is known to cause low birth weight and programs several physiological dysfunctions in offspring. However, the direct effects of maternal stress on the developing fetus remain largely unknown. The present study focused on ...

Smoking during pregnancy is among the leading preventable causes of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Smoking prevalence among young women is the primary determinant of smoking prevalence during pregnancy. Smoking among women of childbearing age is associated with reduced fertility, increased complications of pregnancy, and a variety of adverse fetal ...