BACKGROUNDThe human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class Ib molecules, HLA-E, -F and -G, are expressed at the materno-fetal interface. Because of the apparent immunoregulatory functions of these proteins, they may be involved in successful acceptance of the semi-allogenic fetus during pregnancy.METHODSThe literature on polymorphisms of the three genes, expression patterns of ...

By its location between maternal and fetal bloodstreams the human placenta not only handles the materno-fetal transport of nutrients and gases, but may also be exposed to intrauterine conditions adversely affecting placental and fetal development. Such adverse conditions exist in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and have been ...

Proteomics, a relatively young science, originally emerged as a complement to genomics research. By definition, the goal of proteomics is to provide a snapshot of all the proteins within an organism, tissue or biological sample at a given moment. Proteomics has the ability to single out one or more proteins ...

ABSTRACT: In many areas of the world where HIV prevalence is high, rates of unintended pregnancy and unsafe abortion have also been shown to be high. Of all pregnancies worldwide in 2008, 41% were reported as unintended or unplanned, and approximately 50% of these ended in abortion. Of the estimated ...

Thalassaemia is the most common monogenetic disease worldwide. Antenatal screening is effective and simple, and accurate genetic prenatal diagnosis can be achieved in early gestation. Less invasive methods are feasible with ultrasound fetal assessment for alpha-thalassaemia, analysis of circulating fetal nucleic acid in maternal plasma, and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis. Women ...

Women with heart disease are at risk of cardiac complications during pregnancy and delivery. Risk assessment should be performed in these women, and the management of pregnancy and delivery should be planned accordingly. Depending on the risk, women should be cared for in specialised centres, regional centres or a combination ...

Preeclampsia continues to be a mortal disease of pregnant women throughout the world. Recently, geneticists, allied with obstetricians, have opened new frontiers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are members of a class of small, noncoding RNA molecules. They are critical posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression. We extracted circulating miRNA from maternal plasma and ...

The hormone oxytocin (OT) is released both centrally and peripherally during and after mating. Although research in humans suggests a central role in sexuality, the most reliable findings to date involve peripheral activation. This review will discuss these results and will particularly focus on understanding the most recent findings from ...

It is clear that cocaine and cocaine metabolites are present in the placenta and may harm the fetus. The results of the experimental manipulation of cocaine exposure are not reported in the literature in a consistent manner. We conducted a systematic review of selected articles that demonstrated the analytical detection ...

To explore attitudes about birth spacing among low-income, recently postpartum women, using qualitative methods, seven focus groups among postpartum women were conducted, probing knowledge and attitudes related to desired birth spacing. Transcripts of the discussions were reviewed and coded for salient themes using a Grounded Theory approach. In regards to ...

Despite the frequency of and significant costs related to unintended pregnancy, it has received less attention in research and prevention guidelines development than other important health threats. This lack of attention has resulted in a system-wide failure to provide care to reproductive aged women who are at risk of unintended ...

Unintended pregnancy is a common reproductive health event. Professional responsibilities for nurses providing care to women with unintended pregnancies include appropriate assessment, options counseling, provision of or referral for desired services, care coordination, and prevention efforts aimed at decreasing future unintended pregnancies. Nurses' awareness of available services and their involvement ...

Malaria is a serious parasitic infection, which affects millions of people worldwide. As pregnancy has been shown to alter the pharmacokinetics of many medications, the efficacy and safety of antimalarial drug regimens may be compromised in pregnant women. The objective of this review is to systematically review published literature on ...

Background: Preterm birth significantly impacts on neonatal morbidity and mortality and is apparently increasing world-wide. Several studies have attempted to define a causative role for periodontal disease in adverse pregnancy outcomes but few have focused on the microbiology of periodontal disease in relation to these outcomes. Results: The evidence for ...

The iron endowment at birth depends, in large part, on the newborn's birth weight and gestational age. These are determined by many factors, some of which are maternal characteristics, including the following: maternal iron stores at her own birth and during her own early life, maternal growth and development, maternal ...

Question Some of my pregnant patients wish to travel to malaria-endemic regions. Are there medications that can be used safely during pregnancy for malaria prophylaxis? Answer Pregnant women should avoid travel to malaria-endemic areas if possible. However, if travel cannot be avoided, measures to prevent mosquito bites, along with an ...

An advanced state of nausea and vomiting, which are common symptoms of early pregnancy, is known as hyperemesis gravidarum and may result in dehydration, ketonuria, catabolism and require hospitalisation. Aetiological factors include increased hCG and steroids, multiple pregnancy and vitamin deficiency. Differential diagnosis of nausea and vomiting should be made ...

The International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups' (IADPSG) criteria for the diagnosis and classification of hyperglycemia in pregnancy are described and application of these in differing healthcare contexts on a worldwide basis is reported. Existing local protocols and known epidemiologic and clinical data regarding the detection and ...

In low-resource settings there is a need for effective interventions targeting women before and during pregnancy to improve their health outcomes and provide the best start to life for their infants. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview for designing, implementing, and evaluating such interventions. Drawing upon ...

Preconception counseling plays a key role in preparing for a pregnancy. In couples with a history of recurrent early pregnancy loss, counseling is of particular importance because women are invariably more distressed and require reassurance that everything possible is being done to avoid future pregnancy losses. Because their subsequent pregnancies ...

The focus of this article is to review and challenge some current concepts surrounding the diagnosis and management of pre-eclampsia as well as considering where our management might head in the future. Pre-eclampsia is a syndrome defined by the new onset of hypertension in the 2nd half of pregnancy that ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: During pregnancy, malaria infection with Plasmodium falciparum or Plasmodium vivax is related to adverse maternal health and poor birth outcomes. Diagnosis of malaria, during pregnancy, is complicated by the absence or low parasite densities in peripheral blood. Diagnostic methods, other than microscopy, are needed for detection of placental ...

Evaluation and treatment (with psychotherapy, antidepressant therapy, or both) of women with depression during pregnancy are described. Data on potential benefits and risks to mothers and offspring are reviewed; overall, they suggest that absolute risks are small.

Galectins are multifunctional regulators of fundamental cellular processes. They are also involved in innate and adaptive immune responses, and play a functional role in immune-endocrine crosstalk. Some galectins have attracted attention in the reproductive sciences because they are highly expressed at the maternal-fetal interface, their functional significance in eutherian pregnancies ...

Pregnancy can pose a challenge to the physician caring for women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). While many women with RA experience a spontaneous improvement in joint pain and inflammation during pregnancy, in others it remains active and they continue to need ongoing therapy. It is important to tailor the treatment ...

Ectopic pregnancy is a very common diagnosis (2% of pregnancies), and implantation location varies. Although 97% of ectopics are implanted within the fallopian tube, associated with commonly recognized risk factors, ectopic implantation can occur in other pelvic and abdominal locations that may not have such predisposing risk factors. After an ...

Fibroid in pregnancy is common in clinical obstetric practice. The topic is becoming more relevant in contemporary obstetrics due to the demographic shift towards delayed childbearing, the rising rate of obesity, and many pregnancies occurring after the treatment of fibroids. However, there are conflicting reports in the literature on many ...

The role of vitamin D in maintaining a healthy pregnancy has seen emerging interest amongst clinicians and researchers in recent years. The functions of this hormone are widespread and complex and during pregnancy and breastfeeding it facilitates crucial transfer of calcium from mother to child for skeletal development. Aside from ...

During pregnancy, the mother undergoes changes to sustain and enable normal growth and development of the fetus. Common physiological changes include linea nigra, fibroepithelial polyps, striae, spider angioma, palmar erythema and pruritis gravidarum. However, there are some changes that are purely pathological, and these are termed the pregnancy-specific dermatoses (PSDs). ...

Pregnancy frequently has a beneficial effect on the autoimmune disease Rheumatoid Arthritis, ranging from improvement in clinical symptoms to complete remission. Despite decades of study, a mechanistic explanation remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that an analogous pregnancy-induced remission can be observed in a mouse model of arthritis. We demonstrate that ...

Since the first success in cloning sheep, the production of viable animals by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has developed significantly. Cattle are by far the most successfully cloned species but, despite this, the technique is still associated with a high incidence of pregnancy failure and accompanying placental and fetal ...

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in pregnancy and the postpartum is an important cause of maternal morbidity and mortality; yet, there are few robust data from clinical trials to inform an approach to diagnosis and management. Failure to investigate symptoms suggestive of pulmonary embolism (PE) is a consistent finding in maternal death ...

Scand J Caring Sci; 2011 How women who have experienced one or more miscarriages manage their feelings and emotions when they become pregnant again - a qualitative interview study Aim:  The aim of this study was to investigate how women who have experienced one or more miscarriages manage their feelings ...

Pregnancy and motherhood constitute periods of tremendous hormonal variation that orchestrate parturition, lactation, maternal care, maternal aggression, and recognition of offspring, among other functions. Cognitive processing also varies during pregnancy and motherhood and may serve an adaptive function in preparation for parturition and rearing. Additionally, maternal experience may have enduring ...

Preconception counseling (PCC) is aimed at identifying and modifying risks related to maternal health and pregnancy outcome, prior to pregnancy. The main components of PCC include: maternal risk assessment, maternal education, and initiation of interventions. It is an opportunity to provide essential information regarding pregnancy, possible risks and available management ...

Obesity contributes to worse outcomes following treatment using assisted reproductive technology (ART), including lower pregnancy and live birth rates and a higher miscarriage rate. This could be mediated through a detrimental effect on oocyte and embryo quality. Oocyte donation studies have suggested that endometrial changes also play a significant role. ...

Subsequent pregnancies are emotionally traumatic for families with previous stillbirths. Such pregnancies have a 2- to 10-fold increase in the risk for stillbirth as well as an increased probability of other adverse obstetrical outcomes. These medical risks as well as anxiety on the part of families and care providers contribute ...

Assisted reproductive technologies have been widely used over the past 30 years, and 1% to 4% of births worldwide are products of these technologies. However, adverse health outcomes related to assisted reproductive technologies, including cerebral palsy, have been reported. We extracted and reviewed all relevant studies cited by Medline from ...

This article reviews the current research on periodontal disease and treatment and its potential impact on maternal and newborn outcomes and provides recommendations for care management and prevention. These guidelines will be helpful for nurse professionals who are in a unique position to counsel pregnant women to improve the oral ...

Pregnancy is characterized by multiple physiologic changes. During the entire gestational period, both mother and infant are vulnerable to a variety of external and internal factors. Maternal disease, use of certain medications, drugs, alcohol, smoking, and radiation exposure can have devastating effects on the fetus. Pregnancy-related complications in women with ...

Pregnant women are at an increased risk of a number of conditions that are associated with bleeding. Conditions such as ectopic pregnancy, retained products of conception, placenta previa, abruptio placentae, morbid adhesion of the placenta, and postpartum hemorrhage can be associated with massive bleeding that endangers the maternal life and ...

Arrhythmias in pregnancy are common and may cause concern for the well-being of both mother and fetus. Generally, no previous history of heart disease is elicited and majority of the arrhythmias are benign. Bradycardia is commonly seen following subarachnoid block for cesarean section. However, the incidence of subsequent heart block ...

Routine visits to primary care settings give health professionals a valuable opportunity to discuss sexual health with women, but may also be a first step in discussing a pregnancy; planned or otherwise. Since nutrition plays a vital role in any healthy pregnancy, it's a golden opportunity to give advice about ...

Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality and morbidity in developed countries. Current thinking about pathophysiology has shifted away from embolism toward a maternal immune response to the fetus. Two immunologic mechanisms have been studied to date. Anaphylaxis appears to be doubtful while the ...

During pregnancy, there are a number of important changes to cardiovascular function which are necessary for progression of a successful pregnancy. Additionally, preexisting cardiovascular conditions can be exacerbated by the adaptations that occur during gestation. These can present serious therapeutic challenges in the management of the cardiology patient during pregnancy. ...

"What this paper adds" statement What is already known about this subject Lowered plasma concentrations of artesunate have been reported in uncomplicated malaria in pregnancy which could risk the life of the mother and fetus. The reason for lowered plasma concentrations in pregnancy is unexplained. Oral artesunate is hydrolysed rapidly ...

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) complicates approximately 1 to 2 of 1,000 pregnancies, with pulmonary embolism (PE) being a leading cause of maternal mortality and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) an important cause of maternal morbidity, also on the long term. However, a strong evidence base for the management of pregnancy-related VTE is ...

During mammal pregnancy, a sensitive balance between hormones, cytokines, humoral factors, and local cellular interactions must be established. Cytotoxic cells infiltrating the decidua are heavily equipped with cytolytic molecules, in particular perforin and granulysin. Granulysin is especially abundant in NK cells which are able to spontaneously secrete high quantities of ...

Sufficient uteroplacental blood flow is essential for normal pregnancy outcome and is accomplished by the coordinated growth and remodeling of the entire maternal uterine vasculature. The main focus of this MiniReview is to provide information on upstream (pre-placental) maternal uterine vascular remodeling that facilitates gestational increases in uterine blood flow. ...

The aim of this review is to summarize the state-of the-art methods that are used in clinical organ transplantation today, as well as the major findings of recent experimental UTx research regarding organ donation/retrieval, ischemic preservation, surgical techniques for anastomosis, immunosuppression and pregnancy. Absolute uterine factor infertility lacks treatment despite ...