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2022 DEC 29 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Women's Health Weekly -- Researchers detail new data in preeclampsia. According to news originating from Kerala, India, by [...]

2022 MAR 10 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Women's Health Weekly -- Research findings on obstetrics and gynecology are discussed in a new report. According to [...]

2021 FEB 11 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Women's Health Weekly -- Investigators publish new report on Women's Health - Obstetrics and Gynecology. According to news [...]

By Lori Thomas, Robert Goodband, Mike Tokach, Steve Dritz, Jason Woodworth and Joel DeRouchey, Kansas State UniversityPrevious research regarding gestating sow nutrient requirements has been used to develop models based [...]

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2005.01.059 Byline: Michael D. Hnat (a), Juliana W. Meadows (a), Diane E. Brockman (a), Brad Pitzer (a), Fiona Lyall (c), Leslie Myatt (a)(b) Abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare immunohistochemical expression of heat shock protein-70 (hsp70), a marker for oxidative stress, and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal adducts (HNE), a marker for lipid peroxidation, in placental villous tissue of normotensive, preeclampsia, and intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) pregnancies. Author Affiliation: (a) Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology (b) Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH (c) Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK Article History: Received 23 August 2004; Revised 5 January 2005; Accepted 25 January 2005 Article Note: (footnote) Presented at the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, January 14-19, 2002, New Orleans, La. Reprints not available from the authors.

Byline: Mark L. Denbow, Philip Cox, Myles Taylor, Donna M. Hammal, Nicholas M. Fisk Keywords: Monochorionic twinning; placental anastomoses; twin-twin transfusion Abstract: Objective: We sought to correlate placental vasculature with fetal growth and outcome in monochorionic twins. Study Design: Eighty-two patients with consecutive monochorionic pregnancies underwent biweekly ultrasonography for determination of fetal growth and well-being. After delivery, blinded placental injection studies delineated vascular anastomoses and territory share. Degree of balance in arteriovenous anastomoses equaled the number of arteriovenous anastomoses in one direction minus the number in the other. Results: Pregnancies affected by fetofetal transfusion syndrome (n = 21) had numbers of arteriovenous and venovenous anastomoses that were similar to those in pregnancies without fetofetal transfusion syndrome but fewer arterioarterial anastomoses (P < .0001). Fetofetal transfusion syndrome occurred in 78% of pregnancies with [greater than or equal to]1 arteriovenous and no arterioarterial anastomoses. Birth weight discordancy correlated with placental territory discordancy (P < .0001) and the degree of balance in arteriovenous anastomoses (P = .004). The larger placental share twin had a greater growth velocity than its smaller placental share co-twin (P = .008) for all but one anastomotic pattern. Where arteriovenous anastomoses were aligned with the net venous outflow to the fetus with the smaller territory, co-twins had similar birth weights and growth velocities irrespective of placental share. Fetal survival was higher in pregnancies with an arterioarterial anastomosis (P = .01) but lower with a venovenous anastomosis (P = .01). Survival of both fetuses was inversely associated with birth weight discordancy (P < .0001). Conclusion: Although interrelationships among the various types of anastomoses are complex, our data suggest that the placental territory share and the pattern of arteriovenous anastomoses influence fetal growth, that arterioarterial anastomoses protect against fetofetal transfusion syndrome, and that venovenous anastomoses reduce perinatal survival. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;182:417-26.) Author Affiliation: London, United Kingdom From the Department of Materno-Fetal Medicine,.sup.a the Department of Perinatal Pathology,.sup.b and the Department of Medical Statistics,.sup.c Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College School of Medicine Article History: Received 3 March 1999; Revised 28 May 1999; Accepted 28 September 1999 Article Note: (footnote) [star] Supported by Sparks/Action Research and the Richard and Jack Wiseman Trust., [star][star] Reprint requests: Nicholas M. Fisk, PhD, Department of Materno-Fetal Medicine, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College School of Medicine, Goldhawk Road, London, United Kingdom W6 OXG.

Byline: John F. Rodis, Lawrence Arky, James F.X. Egan, Adam F. Borgida, Mauro V. Leo, Winston A. Campbell Keywords: Triplets; intrauterine fetal growth; ultrasonography Abstract: Objective: Our purpose was to create tables and graphs of ultrasonographically derived fetal growth parameters in longitudinally studied triplet gestations from a single center. Study Design: All triplet pregnancies managed by our division from 1987 through 1998 were identified. All had first-trimester dating sonograms and complete obstetric sonograms obtained by means of 3.5- or 5.0-MHz curvilinear transducers with freeze-freeze capability and on-screen calipers. Sonograms to assess fetal growth were obtained every 2 to 4 weeks, from 16 to 18 weeks' gestation until delivery. Fetal parameters obtained with each sonogram included biparietal diameter; head circumference; bicerebellar diameter; abdominal circumference; femur, humerus, tibia, and fibula lengths; estimated fetal weight; and head circumference/abdominal circumference ratio. Regression analysis was performed with JMP and Cricket Graph software packages, and lines of best fit with 95% confidence intervals were generated. Results: A total of 443 ultrasonographic examinations were performed for 33 triplet pregnancies (99 fetuses). Each had between 3 and 6 sonograms obtained, all between 16 and 35 weeks' gestation. Scatterplots of each of the fetal growth parameters against gestational age were created with regression lines of best fit and 95% confidence intervals. All growth parameters were dependent on gestational age. Conclusion: A comprehensive set of fetal growth measurements in triplets from the United States is now available and can be used to assess longitudinal fetal growth. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;181:1128-32.) Author Affiliation: Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Connecticut Health Center. Farmington, Connecticut Article Note: (footnote) [star] Reprints not available from the authors., [star][star] 0002-9378/99 $8.00 + 0 6/6/101074

Byline: P. von Dadelszen, R.W.G. Watson, F. Noorwali, J.C. Marshall, J. Parodo, D. Farine, S.J. Lye, J.W.K. Ritchie, O.D. Rotstein Keywords: Apoptosis; neutrophil; normotensive intrauterine growth restriction; preeclampsia Abstract: Objective: In normal pregnancy there is both a neutrophilia and a mild neutrophil activation. In preeclampsia both direct and indirect evidence supports further marked neutrophil activation. In the pathogenesis of preeclampsia peripheral blood neutrophils may play a vital role in communicating between the preeclamptic placenta and the maternal vascular endothelium and contribute to the endothelial cell dysfunction that characterizes the maternal syndrome of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia shares many elements with the systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Neutrophils, key effectors of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome, are associated with hepatic necrosis and adult respiratory distress syndrome, both of which most commonly kill women with preeclampsia. We hypothesized that delayed neutrophil apoptosis could explain (1) the neutrophilia of normal pregnancy and (2) the differential maternal responses to the shared placental abnormality of preeclampsia and normotensive intrauterine growth restriction. Study Design: Neutrophils were isolated (dextran 500, Ficoll [Amersham Pharmacia Biotech AB, Uppsala, Sweden], and erythrocyte lysis) from (1) case patients with preeclampsia at [less than or equal to]34 weeks' gestation, (2) healthy pregnant control subjects, (3) case patients with normotensive intrauterine growth restriction at [less than or equal to]34 weeks' gestation, and (4) nonpregnant female control subjects. Apoptosis was determined after 18 hours of incubation (with or without endotoxin or anti-Fas monoclonal antibody) by deoxyribonucleic acid profile (propidium iodide study), annexin V binding, and CD16 expression. Results: Compared with propidium iodide profile values in nonpregnant women (median, 25%; range, 14%-40%) neutrophil apoptosis was significantly delayed in normal pregnancy (median, 9.5%; range, 7.6%-15%) and normotensive pregnancy with intrauterine growth restriction (median, 11%; range. 9.3%-19%) and was further delayed in preeclampsia (median, 6.9%; range, 4.1%-8.2%; P [less than or equal to] .005 vs normal pregnancy and normotensive intrauterine growth restriction). All neutrophils remained sensitive to endotoxin inhibition but were resistant to anti-Fas induction of apoptosis. Spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis decreased as gestational age increased (r.sup.2 = 0.48). Conclusions: Impaired neutrophil apoptosis may explain the neutrophilia associated with normal pregnancy. In women with preeclampsia activated neutrophils remain in the circulation, perhaps contributing to the persistence of preeclampsia after delivery. Neutrophils appear to modulate the variation in maternal response between preeclampsia and normotensive intrauterine growth restriction. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;181:408-14.) Author Affiliation: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Article History: Received 30 October 1998; Revised 12 February 1999; Accepted 5 March 1999 Article Note: (footnote) [star] From the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecologya and Surgery,b University of Toronto., [star][star] Supported by the MFM group, The Toronto Hospital (salary of P.vD.), and by Physicians' Services Incorporated, Ontario., a Reprint requests: Peter von Dadelszen, Clinical Fellow in Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, 600 University Ave, Suite 428, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1X5., aa 0002-9378/99 $8.00 + 0 6/1/98335

Byline: Henry L. Galan, Michael J. Hussey, Antonio Barbera, Enrico Ferrazzi, Misoo Chung, John C. Hobbins, Frederick C. Battaglia Keywords: Fetus; intrauterine growth restriction; ultrasonography; heat stress; placenta Abstract: Objective: Intrauterine growth restriction in an ovine model occurs after exposure to environmental heat stress for 80 days beginning at 35 days' gestation. Our objective was to determine whether intrauterine growth restriction is reversible on removal of the heat stress after only 55 days of exposure; that is, does a brief exposure at a critical point of development suffice? Study Design: Five pregnant ewes were exposed to heat stress beginning at 35 days' gestation and were removed after 55 days of exposure. Five ewes in a control group were studied as contemporaneous controls and added to data from 37 ewes in a control group previously studied. Serial fetal biometric ultrasonographic measurements (biparietal diameter, abdominal circumference, femur length, and tibia length) were obtained beginning at 50 days' gestation. Growth curves were calculated for each parameter, and comparisons were made between fetuses in the group exposed to heat stress for 55 days and 42 fetuses in the control group and 4 fetuses from a previous study that were exposed to heat for 80 days. Regression lines, 95% confidence intervals, and slopes were determined for each study group. Results: Both the 55-day and the 80-day heat exposure groups showed a significant reduction in fetal and placental weights compared with the control group. Animals in the 80-day group had significantly lower fetal and placental weights than the animals in the 55-day group (P < .05). Indexes of somatic growth (abdominal circumference, femur length, and tibia length) for the control group were significantly greater than those of either the 55-day group or the 80-day group (P < .001). Asymmetric growth restriction was evident in both heat groups by a biparietal diameter/abdominal circumference ratio that was significantly higher than in the control group (P < .004 for the 55-day group and P < .001 for the 80-day group). The slopes for somatic parameters (abdominal circumference, femur length, and tibia length) versus time became significantly different between the control and 55-day groups at 77, 101, and 80 days' gestation, respectively. The 55-day group had abdominal circumference and femur length measurements that were significantly greater than those in the 80-day group. Conclusion: The fetuses in the 55-day and 80-day groups reflect a pattern of asymmetric intrauterine growth restriction. Our findings suggest that the initial insult affecting fetal and placental growth occurs early in gestation, but removal of fetuses after only 55 days of exposure significantly reduces the degree of fetal growth restriction compared with that found in those fetuses exposed for 80 days. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;180:1278-82.) Author Affiliation: Denver, Colorado, and Milan, Italy From the Division of Perinatal Medicine in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology.sup.a and Pediatrics,.sup.b and the Department of Biometrics,.sup.c University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Milan, San Paolo Hospital..sup.d Article History: Received 27 August 1998; Revised 28 December 1998; Accepted 14 January 1999 Article Note: (footnote) [star] Supported by National Institutes of Health Program Project grant PO 1 HD20761, by March of Dimes grant 6-F497-0174, and by the American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Foundation., [star][star] Reprint requests: Henry L. Galan, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 4200 E. 9th Ave, Campus Box B-198, Denver, CO 80262., a 0002-9378/99 $8.00 + 0 6/1/97173

Byline: Salha S. Daniel (a), Raymond I. Stark (b), Pamela J. Tropper (c), L.Stanley James (ba ) Keywords: Amniotic fluid; hypoxemia; intrauterine growth restriction; osmolality; sheep Abstract: Objective: Our aim was to examine changes from normal in the composition of amniotic fluid in fetal lambs with mild and severe hypoxemia and intrauterine growth restriction. Study Design: Pregnant sheep underwent maternal catheterization at 88 to 93 days' gestation and fetal catheterization at 105-112 days' gestation. Twelve pregnancies (group 1) provided control data (fetal PaO.sub.2 18-22 mm Hg), in 12 fetuses (group 2) mild hypoxemia (PaO.sub.2 16-19 mm Hg) was induced by prevention of the normal expansion of maternal blood volume, and in 7 fetuses (group 3) chronic hypoxemia (PaO.sub.2 12-18 mm Hg) developed spontaneously. Results: In group 2 amniotic fluid osmolality and sodium concentrations were lower (approximately 30 mOsm/kg and 10 mEq/L, P < .05) and urea nitrogen level was higher (10 mg/dL, P < .05) than in group 1. In group 3 osmolality and sodium concentrations at approximately 120 days' gestation were similar to those in group 1. Whereas these values decreased with gestation in groups 1 and 2 (P < .05), they remained unchanged or increased in all fetuses in group 3. Mortality rates in groups 1, 2, and 3 were 1 of 12, 4 of 12 (difference not significant), and 5 of 7 (P < .05), respectively. Conclusion: Absence of normal decrease in amniotic fluid osmolality with gestation, in association with a high perinatal mortality rate, was found in severely but not in mildly hypoxemic fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;180:703-10.) Author Affiliation: (a) Departments of Anesthesiology New York, New York (b) Pediatrics New York, New York (c) Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center. New York, New York Article History: Received 27 October 1997; Revised 12 December 1997; Accepted 26 October 1998 Article Note: (footnote) [star] Supported by National Institute of Child Health and Human Development grant HD 13063., [star][star] Reprint requests: Salha S. Daniel, PhD, Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, 630 W 168th St, New York, NY 10032., a a Deceased. , aa 0002-9378/99 $8.00 + 0 6/1/95442

Byline: Eve Roy-Clavel, Serge Picard, Jean St-Louis, Michele Brochu Keywords: Aldosterone; blood pressure; fetal growth restriction; pregnancy; rat; renin Abstract: Objective: A low-sodium diet fed to female rats before mating through parturition leads to pups of lower weight. We characterized the effect of low dietary sodium during the last week of gestation (after fetal organogenesis) on fetal and maternal homeostasis. Study Design: Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to a control group or to a group fed a low-sodium diet from gestational days 15 through 22. Systolic blood pressures were measured throughout pregnancy. On day 22 plasma volume was measured and blood samples were taken for electrolyte and hormonal measurements. Fetal and placental weights were also determined. Results: Plasma renin activity and aldosterone level were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group. Plasma volume was significantly lower in pregnant rats receiving a low-sodium than in those receiving a control diet. Rats receiving a low-sodium diet had pups of lower weight and length (4.45 [+ or -] 0.22 g, 3.90 [+ or -] 0.06 cm) than pups of the control group (5.21 [+ or -] 0.12 g, 4.10 [+ or -] 0.02 cm). Pups born to mothers with low-sodium diets recuperated from intrauterine growth restriction by 14 days after birth. Conclusion: These data indicate that a low-sodium diet given to pregnant rats for the last 7 days of gestation leads to reduced plasma volume expansion and fetal growth restriction. This could prove to be a simple animal model for studying the relationship between maternal plasma volume and fetal growth. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;180:608-13.) Author Affiliation: Montreal, Quebec, Canada From Centre de Recherche, HA[acute accent]pital Sainte-Justine, and the Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology, Universite de Montreal Article History: Received 24 March 1998; Revised 13 October 1998; Accepted 29 October 1998 Article Note: (footnote) [star] Supported in part by grants from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Quebec and the Fondation de l'HA[acute accent]pital Ste-Justine. M.B. is a scholar of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada., [star][star] Reprint requests: Michele Brochu, PhD, Centre de Recherche, HA[acute accent]pital Ste-Justine, 3175 CA[acute accent]te Ste-Catherine, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3T 1C5., a 0002-9378/99 $8.00 + 0 6/1/95478

Byline: Michal Leeda, Naghmeh Riyazi, Johanna I.P. de Vries, Cornelis Jakobs, Herman P. van Geijn, Gustaaf A. Dekker Keywords: Hyperhomocysteinemia; preeclampsia; fetal growth restriction; pregnancy Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess the incidence of hyperhomocysteinemia in patients with a history of preeclampsia or fetal growth restriction, to evaluate the effects of vitamin supplementation on the methio-nine loading test, and to study the course of subsequent pregnancies in women with hyperhomocysteinemia and a history of preeclampsia or fetal growth restriction. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 207 consecutive patients with a history of preeclampsia or fetal growth restriction was tested for hyperhomocysteinemia. Thirty-seven were found to be positive and were treated with folic acid and vitamin B.sub.6, and 27 had a second methionine loading test after vitamin supplementation. Fourteen patients became pregnant again while receiving vitamins and aspirin. RESULTS: All patients who underwent a methionine loading test after vitamin supplementation had a completely normalized methionine loading test. Of the 14 pregnancies in women receiving vitamins and aspirin, 7 were complicated by preeclampsia. Birth weights were 2867 [+ or -] 648 g compared with 1088 [+ or -] 570 g in the previous pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin B.sub.6 and folic acid correct the methionine loading test in patients with hyperhomocysteinemia. Perinatal outcome in patients with a history of preeclampsia or fetal growth restriction and hyperhomocysteinemia appears to be favorable. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1998;179:135-9.) Author Affiliation: Amsterdam, The Netherlands Article History: Received 29 May 1997; Revised 20 November 1997; Accepted 10 December 1997 Article Note: (footnote) [star] From the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecologya and Clinical Chemistry,b Free University Hospital., [star][star] Reprint requests: Gustaaf A Dekker, MD, PhD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Free University Hospital, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, 1081 HV The Netherlands., a 0002-9378/98 $5.00 + 0 6/1/88119

Byline: Mikhail Tchirikov, Christian Rybakowski, Bernd Huneke, Hobe J. Schroder Keywords: Ductus venosus; intrauterine growth retardation; multifetal pregnancies; blood flow; Doppler ultrasonography Abstract: OBJECTIVE: It is known from animal experiments that blood flow through the ductus venosus changes with fetal strain. Therefore the ratio of umbilical vein to ductus venosus flow rate in human intrauterine growth retardation and multifetal pregnancies was investigated and compared with that in control subjects. STUDY DESIGN: Blood flow rates in the umbilical vein and in the ductus venosus, as well as peak velocity, minimum velocity, mean velocity, and pulsatility index (maximum velocity envelope curve) in the ductus venosus, were measured in women with normal pregnancies (n = 55), intrauterine growth retardation (n = 20), and multifetal pregnancies (10 women with 20 fetuses) with color Doppler ultrasonography. RESULTS: Average ductus venosus blood flow rates (mean [+ or -] SD), normalized for estimated fetal body weight, were 60 [+ or -] 30, 69 [+ or -] 35, and 77 [+ or -] 28 (ml * min.sup.-1 * kg.sup.-1) in control subjects, intrauterine growth retardation, and multifetal pregnancies, respectively. Umbilical vein blood flow rates amounted to 140 [+ or -] 59, 111 [+ or -] 54, and 141 [+ or -] 47 (ml * min.sup.-1 * kg.sup.-1). Both absolute flow rates increased with gestational age, whereas normalized flow rates decreased. The percentage of umbilical blood flow passing through the ductus venosus in the control group was 43% + 9%. It was significantly increased in both intrauterine growth retardation (62% [+ or -] 8%) and in multifetal pregnancies (55% [+ or -] 12%). Peak velocity, minimum velocity, mean velocity, and pulsatility index in the ductus venosus were not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSION: The increased ratio of ductus venosus blood flow to umbilical vein blood flow may indicate fetal strain. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1998;178:943-9.) Author Affiliation: Hamburg, Germany Article History: Received 15 May 1997; Revised 16 December 1997; Accepted 19 December 1997 Article Note: (footnote) [star] From the Universitats-Frauenklinik Hamburg., [star][star] Reprint requests: Dr. M. Tchirikov, Universitats-Frauenklinik Hamburg, Abteilung fur Experimentelle Medizin, Martinistra[beta]e 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany., a 6/1/88325

Byline: Michael Y. Divon, Bengt Haglund, Henry Nisell, Petra Olausson Otterblad, Magnus Westgren Keywords: Postterm; fetal death; neonatal death; fetal growth restriction Abstract: Objective: Our purpose was to examine the impact of gestational age and fetal growth restriction on fetal and neonatal mortality rates in the postterm pregnancy. Study Design: All deliveries occurring in Sweden between Jan. 1, 1987, and Dec. 31, 1992, were evaluated for participation in this study. Data were derived from the National Swedish Medical Birth Registry. Pregnancies were selected for inclusion in the study on the basis of the following criteria: (1) singleton pregnancy, (2) reliable dates, (3) gestational age [greater than or equal to]40 weeks, and (4) maternal age 15 to 44 years. Fetal growth restriction was defined as birth weight Author Affiliation: Bronx, New York, and Stockholm, Sweden Article Note: (footnote) [star] From the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center,a the Centre for Epidemiology, National Board of Health and Welfare,b and Huddinge University Hospital, Karolinska Institute.c , [star][star] Supported by grants from the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education., a Reprint requests: Michael Y. Divon, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jack D. Weiler Hospital of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1825 Eastchester Road, Room 701, Bronx, NY 10461., aa 6/6/89008

Byline: Stephen C. Smith, Philip N. Baker, E.Malcolm Symonds Keywords: Intrauterine growth restriction; apoptosis; placenta; trophoblast Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to investigate a possible role for apoptosis in the pathophysiologic mechanisms of intrauterine growth restriction. STUDY DESIGN: Placental samples were obtained from 43 uncomplicated third-trimester pregnancies and from 26 pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction. The definition used to identify cases of intrauterine growth restriction depended on three criteria: clinical evidence of suboptimal growth, ultrasonographic evidence of deviation from an appropriate growth percentile, and individualized birth weight ratios Author Affiliation: Nottingham, United Kingdom Article History: Received 18 March 1997; Revised 6 May 1997; Accepted 15 July 1997 Article Note: (footnote) [star] From the University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Nottingham., [star][star] Supported by the Trent Regional Health Authority, United Kingdom, Directorate of Research and Development. S.C.S. is a WellBeing research training fellow., a Reprints not available from the authors., aa 6/1/84732

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0002-9378(97)70440-X Byline: Shuichiro Yoshimura, Hideaki Masuzaki, Kiyonori Miura, Hirofumi Hayashi, Hideo Gotoh, Tadayuki Ishimaru Keywords: Animal model; oligohydramnios; pulmonary hypoplasia; fetal breathing movement; respiratory function; lung maturation; lung development; surfactant Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to examine the effects of oligohydramnios and cervical cord transection on fetal lung development, pulmonary surfactant, and lung mechanics in rabbits. STUDY DESIGN: The amniotic fluid was shunted into the maternal abdominal cavity in a group of 12 fetal rabbits. In another group (n = 12) high cervical cord transection was performed at day 24 of gestation. Another 12 littermates not operated on served as the control group. Fetuses were delivered on day 30 of gestation by cesarean section and immediately put to death. The body weight and wet lung and liver weights were measured. To determine the extent of fetal lung growth, we measured the size of lung acini, the number of terminal airspaces, and the diameter of alveoli. We also measured the dynamic compliance of the lung, the concentration of phosphatidylcholine, and the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio in lung lavage fluid at birth. RESULTS: Amniotic fluid shunting produced a significant reduction in amniotic fluid volume. Amniotic shunt and cervical cord transection significantly decreased wet lung weight and fetal lung/body weight ratio compared with the control. The concentration of phosphatidylcholine and the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio in lung fluid lavage from fetuses with amniotic shunt were significantly higher than the values for control and cord transection fetuses. Histopathologic examination of the lungs showed significant reductions in the size of acini, the number of terminal airspaces, and the diameter of alveoli in shunted and cord transection groups compared with the control group. The dynamic compliance of transection fetuses was significantly reduced compared with control and shunted fetuses. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that oligohydramnios or cervical cord transections cause pulmonary hypoplasia. However, oligohydramnios-induced pulmonary hypoplasia is associated with increased pulmonary surfactant compared with control and cord transection fetuses.(Am J Obstet Gynecol 1997;177:72-7) Author Affiliation: Nagasaki, Japan Article History: Received 10 September 1996; Revised 10 February 1997; Accepted 10 March 1997 Article Note: (footnote) [star] From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagasaki University School of Medicine., [star][star] Reprint requests: Shuichiro Yoshimura, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, 1-7-1 Sakamoto-machi, Nagasaki, 852, Japan., a 6/1/81736

Byline: Christiane Krebs, Lena M. Macara, Rudolf Leiser, Adrian W. Bowman, Ian A. Greer, John C.P. Kingdom Keywords: Umbilical artery Doppler imaging; placental terminal villi; scanning electron microscopy; intrauterine growth restriction; vascular cast Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the structure of placental terminal villi and their capillaries in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction with absent end-diastolic flow velocity in the umbilical artery. STUDY DESIGN: Glutaraldehyde-perfusion-fixed villous tissue and a plastic cast of the vessels in at least two cotyledons were prepared from 10 cases with intrauterine growth restriction and 9 gestational age-matched control placentas. The structure and dimensions of 20 terminal capillary loops per cast were determined by scanning electron microscopic examination, and their appearances were correlated with the peripheral villi of the perfusion-fixed villous tissue. RESULTS: Capillary loops in the growth-restricted cases were sparse in number and significantly longer than in the control cases (218 [mu]m [72] vs 137 [mu]m [30], mean and SD, p < 0.05). They exhibited fewer branches (4.0 [1.9] per loop vs 6.1 [2.2], p < 0.05) and a majority of loops were uncoiled (79% vs 18%, p < 0.05). The villous tissues from the growth-restricted cases demonstrated elongated villi, consistent with the cast findings. The trophoblast surface was wrinkled and in some areas covered by fibrin plaques. CONCLUSIONS: The terminal villous compartment of the placenta appears to be maldeveloped in preterm intrauterine growth restriction pregnancies where absent end-diastolic flow velocity is demonstrated in the umbilical artery before delivery. These findings are consistent with an increase in fetoplacental vascular impedance at the capillary level and may account for the impaired gas and nutrient transfer in this disorder. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1996;175:1534-42.) Author Affiliation: Giessen, Germany, and Glasgow, United Kingdom Article History: Received 13 February 1996; Revised 23 May 1996; Accepted 24 June 1996 Article Note: (footnote) [star] From the Department of Veterinary Anatomy, der Justus Liebig University,a and the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecologyb and Statistics,c University of Glasgow., [star][star] Reprint requests: John Kingdom, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University College London Medical School, 86-96 Chenies Mews, London, United Kingdom WC1E 6HX., a 0002-9378/96 $5.00 + 0 6/1/76007

Byline: Richard Depp, George A. Macones, Marc F. Rosenn, Elene Turzo, Ronald J. Wapner, Vivian J. Weinblatt Keywords: First trimester; fetal growth determinants; multiple gestation; discordant twins; fetal reduction procedure; twins; intrauterine growth restriction; discordant growth Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to study fetal growth after reduction of high-order multiple gestations to twins. STUDY DESIGN: Birth weight and gestational age data were collected for 236 triplet and greater multiple pregnancies reduced to twins (113 triplets, 89 quadruplets, and 34 quintuplets or above) and was compared with those of a control group of unreduced twins. RESULTS: Rates of intrauterine growth restriction per pregnancy were significantly different between the nonreduced and all categories of reduced multifetal pregnancies. The incidence of intrauterine growth restriction was 19.4% in the nonreduced twins, 36.3% in pregnancies reduced from triplets, 41.6% in pregnancies reduced from quadruplets, and 50% from higher-order multiple gestations. There was a statistically significant trend toward increasing frequency of intrauterine growth restriction with increasing starting fetal number (p = 0.04). The increase in intrauterine growth restriction was primarily accounted for by twin pairs with only one growth-restricted newborn. CONCLUSION: Multifetal pregnancy reduction does not reduce the incidence of intrauterine growth restriction in the remaining fetuses to that of nonreduced twins. (AM J OBSTET GYNECOL 1996;174:1233-40.) Author Affiliation: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Article Note: (footnote) [star] From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jefferson Medical College,a the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics,b and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Abington Memorial Hospital.c , [star][star] Reprint requests: Richard Depp, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jefferson Medical College, 834 Chestnut St., Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19107., a 0002-9378/96 $5.00 + 0 6/6/72159

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Women's Health Weekly -- Investigators publish new report on Women's Health. According to news reporting originating from London, United Kingdom, by NewsRx correspondents, [...]

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Women's Health Weekly -- Ark Therapeutics, Ltd. (London, GB) has been issued patent number 8334271, according to news reporting originating out of Alexandria, [...]

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2010.05.027 Byline: Francesca Colleoni (a), Debora Lattuada (b), Ambra Garretto (a)(c), Maddalena Massari (a), Chiara MandA[sup.2] (a), Edgardo Somigliana (b), Irene Cetin (a) Keywords: intrauterine growth restriction; maternal blood; mitochondrial DNA; pregnancy Abstract: We investigated mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content in the maternal circulation of normal pregnancies of different gestational ages and in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Author Affiliation: (a) Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Sciences 'L.Sacco' and Center for Fetal Research Giorgio Pardi, University of Milan, Milan, Italy (b) Department of Mother and Infant Sciences, University of Milan, Foundation Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy (c) Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, San Paolo Hospital, Milan, Italy Article History: Received 11 March 2010; Revised 4 May 2010; Accepted 18 May 2010 Article Note: (footnote) Supported by the Sixth Framework Programme of the European Union (Pregenesys, Contract No. LSHB CT 2006 037244), Ministero della Salute (finalized project 'Role of new inflammatory molecules in pregnancy pathologies and in maternal-neonatal health') and by Associazione Italiana per lo Studio delle Malformazioni., Cite this article as: Colleoni F, Lattuada D, Garretto A, et al. Maternal blood mitochondrial DNA content during normal and intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2010;203:365.e1-6.

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2009.07.033 Byline: Mette Juhl (a), JA[cedilla]rn Olsen (e), Per Kragh Andersen (b), Ellen Aagaard NA[cedilla]hr (c), Anne-Marie Nybo Andersen (d) Keywords: birth cohort; birthweight; fetal growth; physical activity Abstract: The objective of the study was to examine the association between physical exercise during pregnancy and fetal growth measures. Author Affiliation: (a) National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark (b) Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark (c) Department of Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark (d) Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark (e) Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA Article History: Received 28 January 2009; Revised 18 May 2009; Accepted 14 July 2009 Article Note: (footnote) Cite this article as: Juhl M, Olsen J, Andersen PK, et al. Physical exercise during pregnancy and fetal growth measures: a study within the Danish National Birth Cohort. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2010;202:63.e1-8. , The Danish National Research Foundation established the Danish Epidemiology Science Centre, which initiated and created the Danish National Birth Cohort. The cohort is a result of a major Grant from this foundation. Additional support for the Danish National Birth Cohort is obtained from the Pharmacy Foundation, the Egmont Foundation, the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, and the Augustinus Foundation. This specific study was supported by Grants from the Danish Medical Research Council, the Augustinus Foundation, the Danish Midwifery Association, the Danish Graduate School in Public Health Sciences, and the Danish National Board of Health. None of the funders were involved in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; or preparation, review, or approval of the article.

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2008.04.022 Byline: Liesbeth Lewi (a), Leonardo Gucciardo (a), Agnes Huber (b), Jacques Jani (a), Tim Van Mieghem (a), Elisa Done (a), Mieke Cannie (a), Eduardo Gratacos (c), Anke Diemert (b), Kurt Hecher (b), Paul Lewi (a), Jan Deprest (a) Keywords: birthweight discordance; fetal growth; monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy; placenta; ultrasound scan Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical and placental characteristics of monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies with early-onset discordant growth diagnosed at 20 weeks, late-onset discordant growth diagnosed at 26 weeks or later, and concordant growth. Author Affiliation: (a) Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Radiology, University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium (b) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universitatsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (c) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain Article History: Received 17 October 2007; Revised 27 January 2008; Accepted 10 April 2008 Article Note: (footnote) Cite this article as: Lewi L, Gucciardo L, Huber A, et al. Clinical outcome and placental characteristics of monochorionic diamniotic twin pairs with early- and late-onset discordant growth. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2008;199:511.e1-511.e7. , Reprints not available from the authors., Drs L. Lewi, Jani, and Huber are the recipients of a grant of the Fifth Framework Program of the European Commission (#QLG1-CT-2002-01632 EuroTwin2Twin and FP6-2006-37409 EuroSTEC). Dr Done is the recipient of a grant within the Marie Curie Program of the European Commission (MEST CT2005 019707).

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2006.08.029 Byline: Suk-Joo Choi (1), Soo-young Oh (1), Jong-Hwa Kim (1), Yoel Sadovsky (2), Cheong-Rae Roh (1) Keywords: intrauterine growth restriction; N-myc downstream-regulated gene; placenta; preeclampsia Abstract: N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) modulates placental response to hypoxia. We therefore hypothesized that the expression of NDRG1 is altered in placentas from pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) or preeclampsia (PE), which are associated with fetoplacental underperfusion and cellular hypoxia. Author Affiliation: (1) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea (2) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Article History: Received 13 February 2006; Revised 13 June 2006; Accepted 1 August 2006 Article Note: (footnote) Supported in part by the Samsung grant, no. SBRI C-A4-309-1 and C-A5-211-1 (C.R.R.) and NIH HD-45675 (Y.S.)., Reprints not available from authors., Cite this article as: Choi S-J, Oh S-Y, Kim J-H, et al. Increased expression of N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) in placentas from pregnancies complicatd by fetal growth restriction or preeclampsia. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2007;196:45.e1-45.e7.

The long-established blood-glucose and home pregnancy tests, it appears, were merely forerunners for the technological tsunami that is sweeping through hospitals, clinics, and physician offices. With doctors and patients not [...]