Diurnal patterns of salivary alpha amylase (sAA) in pregnant women have not previously been described. The current study employed ecological momentary assessment to examine the association between the diurnal sAA, obstetric history, maternal demographics, and mood during pregnancy. Saliva was self-collected by 83 pregnant women (89% White, age 25.3-43.0 years; ...

Knowledge about healthy women's psychophysiological adaptations during the large neuroendocrine changes of pregnancy and childbirth is essential in order to understand why these events have the potential to disrupt mental health in vulnerable individuals. This study aimed to compare startle response modulation, an objective psychophysiological measure demonstrated to be influenced ...

BACKGROUND: Postpartum weight retention contributes to the development of overweight and obesity in women of childbearing age and is more pronounced in ethnic minority groups. This study examined ethnic differences in postpartum weight retention and the explanatory role of socio-economic status (SES), mental health and lifestyle. METHODS: In the Amsterdam ...

AimTo identify characteristics of the services and support women want to enable them to eat healthily during pregnancy to make a potential future service acceptable to this population. BACKGROUND: An unhealthy diet during pregnancy may have a significant influence on pregnancy outcome, either directly through nutrient deficiencies or indirectly through ...

Aims:  To explore incidence, risk factors, possible pathophysiological factors and clinical management of hypoglycaemia during pregnancy in women with Type 1 diabetes. Methods:  Literature review. Results:  In women with Type 1 diabetes, severe hypoglycaemia occurs three to five times more frequently in early pregnancy than in the period prior to pregnancy, whereas ...

Diagnosis of mild Cushing's disease (CD) can be difficult in pregnant women, because its clinical and biochemical features can be erroneously interpreted as consequence of the gestation. Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and desmopressin (DDAVP) tests are currently used to confirm CD, but data concerning adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) response during pregnancy ...

ABSTRACT: The fetal microchimerism theory for the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) has compelling biologic support, including the female predominance of the disease, the mean age of onset after childbearing years, similarities between diffuse cutaneous SSc and graft-versus-host disease, as well as the detection of microchimeric cells in peripheral blood ...

Maternal stress during pregnancy has been repeatedly associated with problematic child development. According to the fetal programming hypothesis adverse experiences during pregnancy increase maternal cortisol, which is then assumed to exert a negative effect on fetal development. Recent studies in non-pregnant women report significant associations between positive emotionality and low ...

Because there are few published studies from Eastern countries concerning women's experiences of prenatal ultrasound scans, this study investigated this topic in 238 Japanese women in three different prenatal settings. A cross-sectional questionnaire of 33 items was administered to 261 women at 14-37 weeks gestation with no known obstetrical risk, ...

Objective: Animal studies suggest that leflunomide may be a human teratogen. The only published human cohort study did not detect an increase in adverse outcomes in pregnancies exposed to leflunomide. The aim of this analysis was to expand on the previously published data with a description of birth outcomes among ...

The current study tested the hypothesis that pregnancy-related changes are more pronounced in central hemodynamics, and both central aortic systolic blood pressure (cSBP) and augmentation index (AIx) are independent from brachial systolic blood pressure (bSBP) in normal pregnant subjects. In 830 healthy pregnant women from 12 to 36 weeks gestation, ...

Background: In multiple sclerosis (MS), the relapse rate declines during pregnancy and increases during the first three months post-partum before returning to the pre-pregnancy rate. It is unknown whether pregnancy impacts the risk of clinical conversion in those within the presymptomatic period.Objectives: We investigate the impact of pregnancy on developing ...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility in everyday practice and the advantages of salpingectomy for ectopic pregnancy by single-incision laparoscopic surgery with the SILS(®) system. STUDY DESIGN: This single-center prospective observational study included 37 women requiring salpingectomy for ectopic pregnancy who underwent single-incision laparoscopic salpingectomy with the SILS(®) system. Information about ...

To analyze temporal trends of hospital admissions due to molar pregnancies in Italian and non-Italian women in Lombardy during the 1996-2008 period. A standard form is used to register all discharges from public or private hospitals in Lombardy. Hydatidiform mole (HM) cases were identified when searching the database for code ...

Oxidative stress (OS) plays a role in pregnancy at risk of pre-eclampsia, diabetes and premature labour. We measured three markers of OS: total antioxidant capacity (TAC), thiolyte capacity and pro-oxidant capacity in 45 women: 15 normal pregnancies, 17 pathological pregnancies (pre-eclampsia and pregestational diabetes) and 13 delivered pre-term. Plasma TAC ...

The purpose of this study was to describe the practice of pica during pregnancy in Argentine women. Maternal and fetal characteristics as well as the practice of pica were evaluated during the puerperium in a sample of 1,014 women from five different geographical areas. Pica prevalence for the total sample ...

Objectives- Amniotic fluid is important for the maintenance of fetal well-being; therefore, an amniotic fluid deficiency, ie, oligohydramnios, can have multiple impacts on the prognosis of the pregnancy. In some cases, there are no evident fetal or maternal causes, and the condition is called isolated oligohydramnios. The aim of our ...

OBJECTIVE. To study the success rate, predictors for success, and pregnancy outcomes after external cephalic version. DESIGN. Historical cohort study. SETTING. Regional hospital, Hong Kong. PATIENTS. All women who had singleton term breech pregnancies at term and opted for external cephalic version during 2001 and 2009. Their demographic data, clinical ...

OBJECTIVETo compare associations of maternal glucose and A1C with adverse outcomes in the multinational Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO) Study and determine, based on those comparisons, if A1C measurement can provide an alternative to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in pregnant women.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSEligible pregnant women underwent ...

Emerging evidence has shown that podocyte injury and reduced specific podocyte protein expressions contribute to proteinuria in preeclampsia. We collected urine specimens from women with preeclampsia to study if podocyte specific protein shedding associates with renal barrier dysfunction. Urine specimens from women with normal pregnancies and from pregnant women complicated ...

BACKGROUND: An 800-mcg dose of buccal misoprostol following mifepristone has been shown to be highly effective in terminating pregnancies through 63 days since the last menstrual period (LMP) (B. Winikoff, I.G. Dzuba, M.D. Creinin, et al., Two distinct oral routes of misoprostol in mifepristone medical abortion: a randomized controlled trial. ...

With the increase in incidence of ectopic pregnancy over the decades, bilateral ectopic pregnancy is also increasing. It is usually associated with assisted reproductive techniques (ART) but in recent years few cases of spontaneous bilateral ectopic pregnancy have been reported. Gynaecologists should be aware of this and that ultrasonography has ...

OBJECTIVE: This randomized controlled clinical trial was carried out to assess the effect of comprehensive nonsurgical periodontal treatment and strict plaque control performed during pregnancy on the reduction of preterm and/or low birth weight rates (PTLBW). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three hundred and three women were randomly allocated to receive periodontal ...

Objective: To assess the extent to which couples who could benefit from fetal karyotyping during the first or second trimester would agree to delay the examination until the third trimester. Methods: In this prospective monocentric study, the same physician suggested to some couples to delay fetal karyotyping until the third ...

Background: This overview is aimed at clinicians working with patients in the fertile age who suffer from depressive disorders. The study of adverse effects of antidepressants on the foetus is hampered by difficulty in distinguishing between the behavioural changes that are related to the disorder itself and changes that accompany ...

OBJECTIVE: Increasing number of pregnancies resulting from In vitro Fertilisation (IVF) combined with increased awareness of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) - related morbidity calls for research on possible differences in pregnancy outcomes between IVF and non-IVF GDM complicated pregnancies. The aim of this study was to compare GDM - affected ...

Rhabdomyoma is the most common prenatally diagnosed cardiac tumor. We present two cases of fetal cardiac rhabdomyoma. In each case, fetal ultrasound assessment revealed the intracardiac tumors that were confirmed on postnatal imaging. The mother and her previous child were examined for the markers of tuberous sclerosis and diagnosis of ...

To assess whether antithrombotic prophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparin effectively prevents recurrence of late pregnancy complications, 135 women with previous history of preeclampsia, Hemolytic anemia, Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelet count (HELLP) syndrome, intrauterine fetal death, fetal growth restriction or placental abruption who had been referred within the 12th gestational ...

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the rates of previously undiagnosed rheumatic diseases during the first trimester of pregnancy and their impact on the pregnancy outcome.METHODS: Pregnant women in their first trimester were screened using a two-step approach using a self-administered 10-item questionnaire and subsequent testing for ...

There are conflicting results concerning the impact of maternal asthma during pregnancy on perinatal outcomes. The present study investigated the associations between maternal asthma during pregnancy and the risk of a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infant, a low-birth-weight (LBW) infant, and preterm birth. A population-based cohort of 40,788 pregnancies from asthmatic and ...

Most women with gestational trophoblastic disease are of reproductive age. Because the disease is readily treatable with favourable prognosis, fertility becomes an important issue. Hydatidiform mole is a relatively benign disease, and most women do not require chemotherapy after uterine evacuation. A single uterine evacuation has no significant effect on ...

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: We sought to characterize risk factors of urinary incontinence (UI) during pregnancy and the postpartum period in primiparous women in China. METHODS: We enrolled 10,098 women from the seven regions of China ≥28 weeks' gestation from September 2007 to May 2009 and administered the Bristol Female Lower Urinary ...

Protein Z (PZ)-dependent protease inhibitor (ZPI) is a serine protease inhibitor which efficiently inactivates activated factor X, when ZPI is complexed with PZ in plasma. Reduced plasma levels of ZPI and PZ have been reported in association with thrombosis. It has also been reported that PZ increases during pregnancy and ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is a time of significant physiological and physical change for women. In particular, it is a time at which many women are at risk of gaining excessive weight. We describe the rationale and methods of the Health in Pregnancy and Post-birth (HIPP) Study, a study which aims ...

Background: Improved medical techniques have allowed most women with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) to reach childbearing age. The predictors of adverse events and the effects of pregnancy on cardiac function have not been clearly described in these patients. Methods and Results: In the present study we retrospectively reviewed 40 ...

Objective: More women in Japan continue to quit a job when they find out they are pregnant than in other industrialized countries. The purpose of this study was to clarify factors affecting the quitting rate among female workers who become aware they are pregnant. Methods: All pregnant women visiting or ...

Abstract Although it is proven for a long time that folic acid supplementation in the periconceptional period can prevent neural tube defects effectively, all measures taken so far including food fortification and awareness campagnes so far had only limited success. Since more than 50% of the pregnant women in Europe ...

BACKGROUND: Which serologic and clinical findings predict adverse pregnancy outcome (APO) in patients with antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) is controversial. METHODS: PROMISSE is a multicenter, prospective observational study of risk factors for APO in patients with aPL (lupus anticoagulant [LAC], anticardiolipin antibody [aCL] and/or antibody to β(2) glycoprotein I [anti-β2-GP-I]). We ...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between headache, namely migraine and tension-type headache, and adverse pregnancy outcome. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study conducted in three tertiary care centres in Italy: 376 pregnant women suffering from headache and 326 non-headache pregnant women as controls were recruited. The diagnosis of headache was made ...

Pemphigoid gestationis is a rare autoimmune subepidermal bullous dermatosis that occurs during pregnancy and postpartum. Diagnosis is made on the basis of the presence of a subepidermal vesicle on routine histologic examination and of linear deposition of complement along the basement membrane zone of perilesional skin. The disorder is accompanied ...

It is estimated that 350 to 400 million individuals worldwide are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). In regions of high endemicity, many of these are females of reproductive age who are an important source for perinatal transmission. There are a number of issues specific to the women of ...

High blood lead levels (BLL) in pregnancy are associated with poor pregnancy outcome and neuro-behavioral deficits in infants. We investigated the prevalence of high BLL in pregnant women and its impact on pregnancy outcome in Kuwait. Blood from 194 mother-infant pairs were analyzed for lead by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Data ...

BACKGROUND: Antibodies towards placental-binding P. falciparum are thought to protect against pregnancy malaria; however, environmental factors may affect antibody development. Methods and Findings: Using plasma from pregnant Malawian women, we measured IgG against placental-binding P. falciparum parasites by flow cytometry, and related results to intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp) regime, and ...

Purpose: Evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of nelfinavir during pregnancy and postpartum in HIV-infected women. Methods: Phase IV, non-randomized, open-label study of nelfinavir 625 mg tablets (1250 mg) in combination with lamivudine/zidovudine twice daily. Primary endpoint was treatment-related or possibly treatment-related gastrointestinal or hepatic adverse events (AEs). Selected ...

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, obstetrical and fetal complication rates of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy in patients managed actively around 38 weeks and evaluate the correlation of these results with liver function tests and bile acids. Material and Methods: In this cohort study 3710 ...

Background & objectives: As adult dengue fever increases it also affects women with pregnancy. Dengue fever is mainly treated conservatively. However, complications like pre - eclampsia, pre- term labour, increased risk of caesarean section and fetal transmission have been noted. During dengue epidemic in our region we noted many women ...

There is increasing evidence linking in utero infection and inflammation to preterm birth. Many commensal urogenital tract microorganisms, including the Mycoplasmas and Ureaplasmas, are commonly detected in association with preterm birth. Using an ovine model of sterile fetal inflammation, we demonstrated previously that the fetal skin generates a robust inflammatory ...

To determine the teenage pregnancy rate, associated epidemiological factors, outcome and complications in a Nigerian tertiary hospital. A 5 year retrospective study of women presenting with teenage pregnancies, between 1st of January, 2004 and 31st of December, 2008 was done. The obstetric variables from 72 cases of teenage pregnancies and ...

The uterus and its appendages are a common site for congenital abnormalities although overall they are considered rare. One of the easily recognised and described mullerian duct anomalies is the bicornuate uterus. Although it is now believed that unlike septate uterus, bicornuate uterus is not associated with infertility, it is ...

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Skin hyperpigmentation is common during pregnancy and often is due to endocrinological changes. Usual patterns include linea nigra, darkening of areola and melasma. We report a rare diffused hyperpigmentation condition in a pregnant woman of dark colored skin. CASE PRESENTATION: A 19-year-old Tanzanian primigravida at 32 weeks gestation ...