BACKGROUND: Folate, choline, and betaine participate in homocysteine metabolism. It is not known whether they interact during pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to investigate how folate status affects choline, betaine, and dimethylglycine during pregnancy. DESIGN: Fasting plasma folate, cobalamin, free choline, betaine, dimethylglycine, and total homocysteine (tHcy) were measured longitudinally ...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of cervical length (CL) and uterine artery Doppler (UtAD) at 11(+0) to 13(+6) weeks as a predictor of spontaneous preterm delivery (sPTD) in a Chilean population. METHODS: This is a prospective study involving 3,480 asymptomatic women with singleton pregnancies attending for a nuchal translucency scan ...

Abstract Objective:The aim of the present study was to examine whether an association is present between amniotic fluid (AF) galanin and neonatal birth weight (NBW). Design: Prospective observational study Setting: Fetal maternal unit in a tertiary teaching hospital Population: Fifty women of singleton pregnancy who underwent amniocentesis during the second ...

The present investigation compared parenting practices in a sample of preschoolers whose mothers reported smoking during pregnancy versus those who did not. A sample of n = 216, 3.0- to 5.11-year-old children, participants in an ongoing longitudinal study, was separated into those reportedly exposed to smoking in utero and those ...

OBJECTIVE: to analyse the association between urinary incontinence and maternal weight, and its variations in pregnancy and post partum. DESIGN: observational study of a cohort of women from the start of pregnancy until six months post partum. SETTING: Hospital San Pedro in La Rioja, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: 402 pregnant women without ...

Multivitamin supplementation has been shown to reduce the risk of low birthweight. This effect could be mediated through gestational weight gain. However, the effect of multivitamin supplementation on weight gain during pregnancy has not been fully studied. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of multivitamins on ...

OBJECTIVES: To determine if fetal volume (FV) measurements with three-dimensional ultrasound in the first trimester of pregnancy can detect the fetus at risk for preterm birth and/or low birth weight. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, 538 participants were included during the routine first trimester ultrasound examination. Volume measurements were ...

PURPOSE: To examine whether changes in maternal overweight and obesity from pre-pregnancy to two decades postpartum predict the body mass index (BMI) of adult offspring. METHODS: We used a subsample of 1997 mother-offspring pairs from the 7,223 original cohorts of women who gave birth in Brisbane, Australia, between 1981 and ...

We used real-time ultrasound to measure motility and abdominal diameter in fetal lambs at weekly intervals for 30 minutes from 55 days to term (n = 8). Fetal body movement counts/min were relatively constant between 55 and ∼90 days and declined progressively thereafter, a relationship best described by piecewise linear ...

AIM(S): To explore the relationship between biomarkers of systemic inflammation in plasma and gingival crevicular fluid in early pregnancy and the subsequent development of pre-eclampsia in patients with periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case-control study was performed. From a cohort composed of 126 pregnant women, 43 normotensive healthy pregnant women were ...

Background: In this article, we examine the association between unintended pregnancy and individual and community level indicators of violence in a population of both women and men in the criminal justice system. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey with 290 women and 306 men in 3 correctional facilities in Kansas ...

Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy may be associated with suboptimal fetal growth, but direct evidence is lacking. Objectives: The aim of the study was to validate a method for fetal femur volume (FV) measurement using three-dimensional ultrasound and to detect correlations between FV and maternal vitamin D concentration. A novel ...

Our aim was to address the hypothesis that maternal dietary intake of folate during pregnancy is inversely associated with risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in the offspring. Dietary intake of folate, vitamins B6 and B12 in the last 6 mo of pregnancy from 333 cases and 695 frequency-matched controls ...

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) may regulate ovarian physiology. In this study, the influence of IL-1β on secretory activity within the corpora lutea (CL) of cyclic and gravid pigs was determined in vitro during different stages of the CL lifespan, e.g. on Days 10-11, 12-13 and 15-16 of the oestrous cycle and pregnancy. ...

To investigate the effects of chorionicity and severe twin to twin transfusion (TTTS) on maternal circulating cell-free messenger RNA (cf-mRNA). Prospective cohort study. A UK tertiary referral Fetal Medicine Center. All monochorionic (MC) twins complicated by severe TTTS (n= 23) and a cohort of uncomplicated dichorionic (DC) (n= 10) and ...

Context: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a role in asthma and pathological pregnancies. Objective: This is the first study assessing plasma and exhaled breath condensate VEGF levels in asthmatic pregnancy. Material and methods: Thirty-one asthmatic pregnant, 29 asthmatic nonpregnant, 28 healthy pregnant and 22 healthy nonpregnant women were enrolled. ...

Pre-eclampsia is defined as new onset hypertension with proteinuria during pregnancy. It affects approximately 5% of pregnancies in the US with a subset of those progressing into more severe forms of the disease, known as HELLP or eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia is associated with intrauterine growth restriction, chronic immune activation and multi-organ ...

PURPOSE: To investigate the correlation of endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor (EG-VEGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) with the corresponding reproductive outcome in patients who received in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). METHODS: Sixty-seven women undergoing IVF-ET at a university tertiary hospital were ...

Increased uterine artery resistance and angiogenic imbalance characterized by increased soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and decreased free vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are often associated with placental insufficiency and preeclampsia but not synonymous with hypertension. We hypothesized chronic reductions in utero-placental perfusion (RUPP) for 5 days (d) during either ...

A disturbed balance between angiogenic and antiangiogenic growth factors is a highly accepted mechanism in the pathogenesis of pregnancy-induced hypertension and proteinuria, which is clinically known as preeclampsia (PE). We investigated the effect of magnesium sulfate (MgSO(4)) therapy on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), placental growth factor (PlGF), nitric oxide ...

Endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor (EG-VEGF), also named prokineticin 1, is the canonical member of the prokineticin family. Numerous reports suggest a direct involvement of this peptide in normal and pathological reproductive processes. Recent advances propose EG-VEGF as a key endocrine factor that controls many aspects of placental development ...

In this study, we investigated the immunoreactivity of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors flt-1 (VEGFR1) and the kinase domain receptor (KDR/Flk-1, VEGFR2) in the uteri of the wild ground squirrels during the estrous period, early pregnancy and nonbreeding period. Cellular localizations of VEGF, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 were ...

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), the rate-limiting enzyme in heme degradation, plays a role in angiogenesis and vasculogenesis and is highly expressed in the placenta. Deficiencies in HO-1 are associated with several pregnancy disorders, such as recurrent miscarriages and pre-eclampsia. The unique combination of tissue protective, smooth muscle relaxing, and angiogenesis regulatory ...

Over-the-counter cyclooxygenase inhibitors are used to relief fever and various types of acute pain like headache, toothache, earache, sore throat, as well as postoperative and menstrual ones. They are also major ingredients in cold and flu mixtures. Unlike well-known organ toxicological profile, their prenatal toxicity was not fully established. For ...

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of endopeptidases that degrade the components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) such as collagen, and thus contribute to the remodelling and the physiological homeostasis of the ECM and its blood supply. The activities of these enzymes are regulated by endogenous tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases ...

Abstract Objective: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is regulated by hypoxia that is essential for placental development. It is antagonized by a soluble form of its receptor (sFlt-1). The purpose of this study was to measure these factors in the maternal and the cord bloods, at low and high altitude. ...

Preterm birth is the single leading cause of perinatal mortality in developed countries, affecting approximately 12% of pregnancies and accounting for 75% of neonatal loss in the United States. Despite the prevalence and severity of premature delivery, the causes and mechanisms that underlie spontaneous and idiopathic preterm birth remain unknown. ...

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly prescribed in pregnancy to treat fever, pain and inflammation. Indications for chronic use of these agents during pregnancy are inflammatory bowel or chronic rheumatic diseases. Since the seventies, NSAIDs have been used as effective tocolytic agents: indomethacin has been the reference drug, delaying delivery ...

Prostaglandins play an essential role during the perinatal period in the mare. Prostaglandin concentrations are low for the majority of pregnancy due to the regulatory action of progestagens on those enzymes responsible for metabolism of prostaglandins. Towards term, prostaglandin concentrations gradually increase, closely associated with upregulation of the fetal hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal ...

Prostaglandins play an essential role during the perinatal period in the mare. Prostaglandin concentrations are low for the majority of pregnancy due to the regulatory action of progestagens on those enzymes responsible for metabolism of prostaglandins. Towards term, prostaglandin concentrations gradually increase, closely associated with upregulation of the fetal hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal ...

The aim of this study was to measure plasmatic concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and placental growth factor (PIGF) in pregnant women, and to evaluate their relationship with age, hormonal status, gestational age, and different diseases of pregnancy. We selected a control group of 163 patients (96 fertile ...

We present a review of our experience and pregnancy outcome in patients with GSD III managed by our centre. Between 1997 and 2010 there were 15 pregnancies in seven women with GSD III. Four women had GSD IIIb (nine pregnancies) and three GSD IIIa (six pregnancies). There was a successful ...

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare but potentially devastating complication of pregnancy. Although the definition of this condition has recently been revised by the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology, the pathogenesis of peripartum cardiomyopathy is not well understood and relatively little is known about its incidence and ...

To varying extents, women with pre-existing cardiomyopathies have a limited cardiovascular reserve. The hemodynamic challenges of pregnancy, labor, and delivery pose unique risks to this group of patients, which can result in clinical decompensation with overt heart failure, arrhythmias, and rarely, maternal death. A multidisciplinary team approach and a controlled ...

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between observed to expected (o/e) lung-to-head circumference ratio (LHR) and lung-to-body weight ratio (LBWR) in fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia(CDH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Were included in the study all consecutive fetuses with CDH and termination of pregnancy in whom a postmortem examination was available. Contralateral ...

Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (PAP) is a rare disorder characterized by abnormal accumulation of a lipoproteinaceous material in the alveoli, which may lead to respiratory failure and has an associated high risk for infections. The mainstay treatment for PAP is whole lung lavage. A pregnant woman, previously diagnosed with primary PAP, ...

We describe the efficacy and outcome of standardised second-line anti-tuberculosis (TB) medications during pregnancy. Treatment outcomes of five pregnant women with documented multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) referred to the National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases from 2003 to 2009 were analysed in two categories, maternal and neonatal. Patients became ...

Background Vitamin D is associated with lung function in adults, but its relation with childhood lung function is still unclear. Objective To investigate whether prenatal and postnatal vitamin D supplementation and plasma level is associated with childhood lung function. Methods In the KOALA Birth Cohort Study, children's lung function (n=436) ...

Tobacco smoking during pregnancy remains common, especially in indigenous communities, and likely contributes to respiratory illness in exposed offspring. It is now well established that components of tobacco smoke, notably nicotine, can affect multiple organs in the fetus and newborn, potentially with life-long consequences. Recent studies have shown that nicotine ...

Pregnancy may affect the diagnosis, management, and outcome of infiltrative lung disease (ILD). Conversely, ILD may affect pregnancy. ILD may occur as a result of drugs administered commonly or specifically during pregnancy. Most ILDs predominate in patients older than 40 years and are thus rare in pregnant women. During pregnancy ...

Pregnancy induces marked changes in the respiratory and cardiovascular systems that are essential for meeting the increased metabolic demands of the mother and fetus. Important respiratory system changes occur in the upper airway, chest wall, static lung volumes, and ventilation and gas exchange. Marked cardiovascular changes also occur during pregnancy ...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of antenatal corticosteroid treatment on the fetal lung using magnetic resonance imaging. METHODS: Prospective evaluation of 30 consecutive singleton pregnancies that received antenatal corticosteroid treatment (12 mg Betamethasone i.m. on admission and 24h later) because of threatened preterm birth. Fetal lungs were assessed using T2-weighted ...

Acute lung injury during pregnancy results in morbidity and mortality in both the mother and the fetus. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is a rare disease but may occur in pregnant immune-suppressed women. Here, we describe a case of acute lung injury due to PCP and alveolar hemorrhage in a pregnant ...

Surfactant proteins A and D have extra-pulmonary expression at various mucosal sites including the reproductive tract. Reproductive tissues require a fine immune balance, strong enough to keep infection at a bay and at the same time, subtle enough to support an allogeneic fetus throughout the pregnancy. Roles of SP-A and ...

To compare outcomes among neonates delivered after documentation of fetal lung maturity before 39 weeks and those delivered at 39 or 40 weeks. This was a retrospective cohort study of women with singleton pregnancy delivered at 36 0/7 to 38 6/7 weeks after positive fetal lung maturity testing (based on ...

The genital mycoplasmas have been implicated in a number of adverse outcomes of pregnancy. Spontaneous preterm labour and preterm birth is an important contributor to perinatal mortality and morbidity. If Mycoplasma hominis plays an integral part in this problem, it is likely to contribute through its involvement with bacterial vaginosis. ...

The aim of this work was to noninvasively predict fetal lung immaturity with the ultrasonic gray level histogram width (GLHW), a form of clinical tissue characterization. The study included 22 fetuses in which infant respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS) developed post-delivery, and 25 fetuses without IRDS development. Independent receiver operating characteristic ...

OBJECTIVE: The detection of amniotic lamellar bodies (LB) has been shown to be a rapid and simple way to assess fetal lung maturity (FLM). The maturity thresholds for LB vary due to different factors, one being the type of particle-count analyser used. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Sysmex XE-2100 hematological analyser ...

During human pregnancy there is a continuous transport of numerous syncytiotrophoblastic cells from the intervillous space of the placenta into the maternal lung. There these cells undergo apoptosis and the fetal nuclear DNA is liberated within the pulmonary capillaries to become cffDNA in the maternal serum. We have examined the ...

PURPOSE: Multiple small case series have reported sperm in the ejaculate and spontaneous pregnancies in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia after varicocele repair. We hypothesized that men with favorable testicular histopathology on testis biopsy such as maturation arrest or hypospermatogenesis would have a higher probability of success than those with more ...