Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Int J Cardiol 2019 Feb 5. Epub 2019 Feb 5.

Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States of America.

Background: Placental insufficiency may be the cause of the high preterm birth rate in women after Fontan operation. In this study we reviewed the clinical course and pregnancy outcome of women with Fontan physiology with a focus on placental pathology.

Methods: We reviewed clinical charts and placental pathology from 7 women with Fontan physiology who had pregnancies at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Read More

Sex Transm Dis 2019 Feb 11. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

California Preterm Birth Initiative, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.

Background: Few studies have examined the relationship between sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and preterm birth (<37 weeks gestation) by subtype (<32 weeks, 32 - 36 weeks, spontaneous, provider-initiated). Here, we evaluate the odds of preterm (by subtype) and early term (37 and 38 weeks gestation) birth in women with an STI compared to a propensity score matched reference population.

Methods: The sample was selected from California births in 2007-2012. Read More

Am J Obstet Gynecol 2019 Feb 5. Epub 2019 Feb 5.

Division of Neonatology, Pediatric Intensive Care and Neuropediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

Background: Ureaplasma species (spp.) are the bacteria most often isolated from the amniotic cavity of women with preterm labor or preterm premature rupture of membranes, thus, the link between intrauterine Ureaplasma spp. infection and adverse pregnancy outcome is clearly established. Read More

Clin Rheumatol 2019 Feb 7. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Rheumatology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, 1750-1, Ikenobe, Miki-cho, Kita-gun, Kagawa, 761-0793, Japan.

Objectives: We examined the effect of biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs on the time to pregnancy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who hope to become mothers. Additionally, we evaluated adverse pregnancy outcomes and risk factors of these drugs.

Method: We retrospectively investigated 25 pregnancies of 19 patients who were taking disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Read More

Reprod Sci 2019 Feb 6:1933719119828043. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

2 Center for Theragnosis, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea.

We aimed to identify maternal blood biomarkers predictive of histologic chorioamnionitis (HCA) in the plasma of women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and to determine whether the combination of these biomarkers with conventional clinical variables can improve the prediction of HCA. This retrospective cohort study included 82 consecutive women with PPROM (23-34 gestational weeks) who delivered within 96 hours of blood sampling. A membrane-based human antibody microarray was used to analyze the plasma proteome. Read More

Fetal Diagn Ther 2019 Feb 6:1-11. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.

The aim of this study was to review the perioperative complication rates and neonatal outcomes after fetoscopic release of amniotic bands that caused bilateral limb constrictions. We present 5 cases of limb constriction by amniotic bands occurring spontaneously or following fetoscopic surgery and also include a review of 21 previously published cases. The cases were analyzed for indication, surgical technique, and postoperative follow-up. Read More

Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2019 Feb 5. Epub 2019 Feb 5.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Introduction: The lowest incidence of perinatal morbidity and mortality occurs around 39-40 weeks.Therefore, some have advocated induction of uncomplicated singleton gestations once they reach full-term. The aim of the study was to evaluate the risk of cesarean delivery and any maternal and perinatal effects of a policy of induction of labor in full-term uncomplicated women with singleton gestations. Read More

Rural Remote Health 2019 Feb 6;19(1):4634. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Flinders University Rural Clinical School, Flinders University, Ral Ral Avenue, Renmark, SA 5341, Australia

Introduction: The provision of critical management of obstetric emergencies is a vital service for rural women and their families. Emergency obstetric transfers are indispensable to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity because local rural hospitals often do not have the resources or expertise to manage both maternal and neonatal outcomes. However, the transfer of a rural pregnant woman to a higher level, tertiary perinatal centre (TPC) is often stressful for the patient and costly for health services. Read More

Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2019 Mar;144(3):340-346

Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2019 Feb 1. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Objective: To evaluate maternal and neonatal outcomes following management of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) by two fetal assessment strategies.

Methods: In a retrospective cohort study performed at two hospitals in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between July 2010 and June 2015, data were reviewed from 180 singleton pregnancies with PPROM at 23 -33 weeks of gestation that underwent expectant management. Outcomes were compared between continuous electronic fetal heart monitoring (EFM) with daily biophysical profile (BPP) ("continuous monitoring") and a non-stress test (NST) three times per day ("periodic monitoring") by using Mann-Whitney U and Fisher exact tests. Read More

Am J Obstet Gynecol 2019 Jan 25. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.

Background: Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) is a common pathogen known to cause neonatal and maternal infectious morbidity. Streptococcus pseudoporcinus (S. pseudoporcinus) is a separate, recently identified beta-hemolytic gram positive coccus that can cause false positive results on standard GBS agglutination testing assays. Read More

Contraception 2019 Jan 25. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD.

Objective: To report pregnancy outcomes and potentially related complications among thirteen patients who had osmotic dilators placed for second-trimester dilation and evacuation followed by subsequent removal with the intention to continue their pregnancies.

Study Design: We reviewed billing and scheduling data between 2005 and 2017 to identify the total number of women seen for D&E and to identify the individuals who had dilators placed without a subsequent scheduled dilation and evacuation. We then performed chart reviews to determine pregnancy outcomes. Read More

Prenat Diagn 2019 Jan 24. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.

Objective: To describe our preliminary experience in the application of microwave ablation for selective fetal reduction in complicated monochorionic multiple pregnancies.

Methods: In this prospective study, 45 consecutive complicated monochorionic multiple pregnancies that underwent microwave ablation for selective fetal reduction from July 2015 to February 2017 were analyzed from the first case onward. All patients were managed at the Peking University Third Hospital in Beijing, China. Read More

J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2019 Jan 24. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.

Introduction: To determine whether maternal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is associated with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM).

Materials And Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of singleton deliveries at our institution from 2010 to 2015. Women, ages 16-49, with HPV genotyping or cervical cytology results 3 years before delivery were included. Read More

J Perinat Med 2018 Dec 21. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Obstetrics Service, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.

Objectives To evaluate the number of late preterm (LPT) births (between 34 0/7 and 36 6/7 weeks) that could have been prevented if expectant management of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) had been applied according to new recommendations. Methods A retrospective cohort study included all births at one Swiss center between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2012. Births were categorized using an adapted evidence-based classification. Read More

J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2019 Jan 22. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Research and Training Hospital, Bursa, Turkey.

Aim: Subclinical hypothyroidism is thought to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes but the data is conflicting and generally depends on antibody positivity and treatment. We evaluated the pregnancy outcomes in Turkish population with untreated, antibody negative subclinical hypothyroidism for the first time.

Methods: We searched for 30 015 patients between January 2016 and May 2017 retrospectively. Read More

Endocrinology 2019 Jan 21. Epub 2019 Jan 21.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ochsner Baptist Hospital, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

Introduction: Exosomes are membrane-bound nanovesicles that transport molecular signals between cells. This study determined changes in maternal plasma exosome proteomics contents in term and preterm births.

Methods: Maternal plasma (MP) samples were collected from group 1: term not-in labor (TNIL, n=13); group 2: term in labor (TL, n= 11), group 3: preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM, n=8); and group 4: preterm birth (PTB, n=13). Read More

Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2019 Jan 22. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Introduction: Increasing evidence suggests that cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, with or without subsequent treatment, is associated with preterm delivery. We aimed to explore the association between abnormal cervical cytology of different severity and the subsequent obstetric outcomes such as preterm delivery.

Material And Methods: The historical register-based cohort study comprised 19 822 women in the Western Region of Sweden who had at least one abnormal cervical cytology from 1978 to 2012 before the age of 45 and a subsequent singleton delivery. Read More

J Investig Clin Dent 2019 Jan 20:e12396. Epub 2019 Jan 20.

Unit of Oral Basic Investigation-UIBO, School of Dentistry, Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá, Colombia.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to establish the association between the presence of oral and uro-vaginal microorganisms in the placental membrane and preterm delivery (PTD), the premature rupture of membranes (PRM), and the clinical signs of intra-amniotic infection.

Methods: Eighty-four women with PTD and 127 women with delivery at term were assessed for the PRM, clinical signs of intra-amniotic infection, and the presence of periodontitis. Twenty-seven microorganisms were identified in the placental tissue using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Read More

Am J Med Genet A 2019 Mar 20;179(3):350-355. Epub 2019 Jan 20.

Center for Human Genetics, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Marshfield, Wisconsin.

Twins, particularly monochorionic (MC) pairs, are at increased risk for fetal death. Whereas previous work has sought to understand the mechanisms for this increased mortality, most studies analyze viable twin pregnancies or liveborn twin cohorts. In the Wisconsin Stillbirth Service Program cohort of 3,137 stillbirths and second trimester miscarriages, we identified 175 twin pregnancies for a twinning rate of 56/1,000, which is approximately double the general population. Read More

Placenta 2019 Jan 8. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.

Introduction: Preterm birth remains an important clinical challenge with significant short and long-term complications although its burden in the developing world is not adequately explored. This study determines the incidence, specific determinants and outcomes of preterm birth at a teaching hospital in Ghana.

Methods: Retrospective review of singleton births at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Ghana between 1st January to 31st December, 2015. Read More

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2019 Jan 17:1-7. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sheba Medical Center , Tel-Hashomer, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv , Israel.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the success rate of a trial of labor after a previous cesarean section (TOLAC) in the settings of premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and to compare conservative management with spontaneous labor and induction of labor.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in a single tertiary care center between January 2011 and March 2017. Women with singleton pregnancy and a previous cesarean section (CS) who presented with PROM and underwent TOLAC were included. Read More

Obstet Gynecol Surv 2019 Jan;74(1):50-55

Professor, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC.

Importance: Preterm delivery represents an important cause of infant morbidity and mortality. Various tocolytics have been studied with the objective of stopping preterm labor, increasing gestational age at delivery, and preventing complications related to preterm birth.

Objective: This review aims to summarize the major classes of tocolytics and review the evidence regarding use of each. Read More

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2019 Feb 7:1-7. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

c Maternal Neonatal Department, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit , Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (AOU) , Cagliari , Italy.

Objective: Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM) are frequent conditions with a not fully understood multifactorial etiology. It has been suggested that infection may be the leading cause of pPROM. Metabolomics is nowadays recognized as a successful and versatile approach for the investigation of several pathological conditions, including pregnancy-related ones. Read More

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2019 Jan 6;234:32-37. Epub 2019 Jan 6.

Complejo Hospitalario de la Caja de Seguro Social, Panama; Investigador distinguido del Sistema Nacional de Investigación, SENACYT, Panama. Electronic address:

Objective: The purpose of this review is to describe the historical and scientific basis of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) therapy, to improve the management of preterm birth and decreasing rates of respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis and perinatal mortality in premature infants.

Study Design: We searched MEDLINE/PubMed electronic database, the Cochrane Library, using medical subheading search words such as "ACS", "corticosteroids", "betamethasone" or "dexamethasone", matching with "preterm birth".

Results: This practice was initiated by Liggins and Howie in 1972 and is supported by the initial comprehensive meta-analysis of Crowley, Chambers and Keirse, in 1990, the NIH Consensus Development Conference in 1994, the second Consensus Conference to evaluate repeated courses of corticosteroids in 2000 and the practice recommendations of obstetric societies worldwide. Read More

Pan Afr Med J 2018 10;30:272. Epub 2018 Aug 10.

Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.

Introduction: Preterm birth, a leading cause of neonatal mortality accounts for 35 percent of all neonatal deaths worldwide. Uganda's high preterm birth rate of 13.6 per 1000 live births ranks 28 in the world. Read More

Am J Trop Med Hyg 2019 Jan 7. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Maternal infection during pregnancy can have lasting effects on neurodevelopment, but the impact of malaria in pregnancy on child neurodevelopment is unknown. We present a case of a 24-year-old gravida three woman enrolled at 14 weeks 6 days of gestation in a clinical trial evaluating malaria prevention strategies in pregnancy. She had two blood samples test positive for using loop-mediated isothermal amplification before 20 weeks of gestation. Read More

J Family Med Prim Care 2018 Nov-Dec;7(6):1561-1565

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology №1, Marat Ospanov, West Kazakhstan State Medical University, Aktobe, Kazakhstan.

Background: The incidence of cesarean section increased worldwide with subsequent increase in the risk of cesarean section scar dehiscence (CSSD). The clinical significance and the management of the CSSD are still unclear.

Case Reports: Here, we report two cases of CSSD. Read More

Afr Health Sci 2018 Sep;18(3):601-611

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC)/Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMU College), Moshi, Tanzania.

Background: For the past two decades, studies have investigated the relationship between periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, low birth weight and preterm premature rupture of membranes.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of periodontal disease and associated adverse pregnancy outcomes among women delivering at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC).

Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on the use of patients' files, clinical examinations and oral interviews with mothers who delivered at the KCMC. Read More

Surg Neurol Int 2018 26;9(Suppl 4):S73-S84. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Department of Paediatric Surgery, Hospital Universitario Austral, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Objective: The aim of this study is to describe the surgical technique, obstetrical evolution, and perinatal outcomes of a cohort of fetuses undergoing intrauterine surgery to repair open spina bifida (OSB).

Methods: We performed a prospective analysis of 21 consecutive fetuses with OSB at our institution between 2015 and 2017. The surgical technique was similar to that described in the management of myelomeningocele study (MOMS) (Funded by the National Institutes of Health; ClinicalTrials. Read More

Plast Reconstr Surg 2019 Jan;143(1):133e-139e

New York, N.Y.; and Los Angeles, Calif. From the Division of Plastic Surgery, New York Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia University Medical Center; the Divisions of Plastic and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery and Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles; the Departments of Pediatrics, Neurological Surgery, and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California.

Background: Some patients with isolated sagittal craniosynostosis have demonstrated mild neurodevelopmental delays. This study examined potential preoperative risk factors for developmental delay.

Methods: Patients completed preoperative Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition, and medical records were reviewed. Read More

Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2019 Mar 11;144(3):283-289. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.

Objective: To investigate optimal timing of dressing and staples removal after cesarean delivery (CD).

Methods: This prospective clustered clinical trial enrolled women undergoing CD between January 1, 2013, and October 31, 2014, at Hadassah-Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem. Women were assigned to one of five clusters differing in timing of dressing and staples removal. Read More

Harefuah 2018 Dec;157(12):783-786

Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Rambam Health Care Campus, affiliated with Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.

Introduction: Smoking during pregnancy is a public health problem because of the many adverse effects associated with it. These include intrauterine growth restriction, placenta previa, abruptio placentae, decreased maternal thyroid function, preterm premature rupture of membranes, low birth weight, perinatal mortality, and ectopic pregnancy. An estimated 5-8% of pre-term deliveries, 13-19% of term deliveries of infants with low birth weight, 23-34% cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and 5-7% of preterm-related infant deaths can be attributed to prenatal maternal smoking. Read More

PLoS One 2018 21;13(12):e0209579. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America.

Maternal lipid profiles during pregnancy are associated with risk for preterm birth. This study investigates the association between maternal dyslipidemia and subsequent preterm birth among pregnant women in the state of California. Births were identified from California birth certificate and hospital discharge records from 2007-2012 (N = 2,865,987). Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Nov 28;11(1). Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Director, EGA Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.

A spontaneous intra-amniotic haematoma is a rare cause of preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) but can have significant fetal and maternal consequences. It has previously been reported to occur in the second and third trimesters but not in an earlier gestation. We present a case that presented acutely in the first trimester of pregnancy, which leads to early PPROM at 15 weeks and spontaneous preterm delivery at 28 weeks of gestation. Read More

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2018 Dec 18:1-191. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

b University Children's Hospital , University of Würzburg , Würzburg , Germany.

Introduction: Sepsis has a grave impact on neonatal morbidity and mortality. Proper timely diagnosis and a subsequently tailored management are crucial to improve neonatal outcome and survival. New diagnostic methods are needed and much effort is directed to this objective. Read More

J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod 2018 Dec 16. Epub 2018 Dec 16.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Nice Academic Hospital, France; Department of Geriatrics at Nice Academic Hospital, France; Nice Côte d'Azur University, Nice, France.

Aim: Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) increases the neonatal morbidity and mortality, because of its association with a high risk of prematurity and infection. The group B streptococcus (GBS) prophylaxis using amoxicillin doesn't seem to be adapted to the emergence of new bacteria found in vaginal samples (VS). Our study aim was to assess, for PROM occurring at 23-34 weeks' gestation (WG), if the presence of ampicillin-resistant enterobacteria in the vaginal microbiome is predictive of an increased risk of early-onset neonatal infection. Read More

Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2018 Nov 20;6(11):1986-1992. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Department of Public Health, Dhyana Pura University, Bali, Indonesia.

Background: The premature rupture of membranes (PROM) represents an obstetric issue causing significant maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Although protein 53 (p53), one of the proapoptotic proteins suspected of causing PROM at the molecular level is closely correlated with the occurrence of PROM, the exact mechanism remains still unclear.

Aim: This study aims to investigate the hypothesis that p53 expression and the apoptotic index play a role in the PROM mechanism. Read More

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2018 Dec 17;18(1):498. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Department of Woman's and Child's Health, Obstetrics and Gynecological Unit, San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Circonvallazione Gianicolense 87, 00152, Rome, Italy.

Background: Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome (HWWS) is an uncommon congenital anomaly of the female urogenital tract, characterised by uterus didelphys, obstructed hemivagina, and ipsilateral renal agenesis. We reported the difficult pregnancy course complicated by an extremely rare and unique case of this syndrome associated with ectrodactyly, a clinical combination never described in literature.

Case Presentation: A 28- year-old nulliparous woman previously diagnosed for HWWS associated with ectrodactyly of the right foot and with a history of abdominal left hemi-hysterectomy, ipsilateral salpingectomy, vaginal reconstruction when she was an adolescent. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Dec;97(50):e13614

Department of Nephrology.

Rationale: It is reported that successful pregnancies in dialyzed uremic women are rare. Over the past years, despite advances in clinical management and technology in dialysis for pregnancy in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis, uremia remains a high risk factor for adverse outcomes in mother and fetus.

Patient Concerns: In this article, we present a case of pregnancy in a 34-year-old uremic woman on dialysis. Read More

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2019 Feb 5;233:30-37. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France.

Objectives: Preterm premature rupture of fetal membranes (PPROM) exposes the fetus to preterm birth, and optimal timing for delivery is controversial. The aim of this study was to compare intentional early delivery ("active management") with expectant management in very preterm birth (28-32 weeks).

Study Design: We conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial with intent-to-treat analysis, at 19 tertiary-care hospitals in France and 1 in Geneva, Switzerland. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.

Objective:  To estimate the association between antenatal depression and spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB) relative to medically indicated preterm birth (MPTB).

Study Design:  This was a secondary analysis of a nested case-control study of preterm birth (PTB). The exposure was a clinical diagnosis of antenatal depression. Read More

Am J Med Genet A 2019 Jan 14;179(1):37-42. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

California Preterm Birth Initiative, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.

We examined the association between gastroschisis and preterm birth (PTB, <37 weeks) by subtype. The sample was drawn from singleton live births in California from 2007 to 2012 contained in a birth cohort file maintained by the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (n = 2,891,965; 1,421 with gastroschisis). Relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for PTB by gestational age (<34, 34-36, and any <37 weeks) and by type (spontaneous labor with intact membranes, preterm premature rupture of the membranes [PPROM], provider initiated) and were adjusted for maternal characteristics. Read More

Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol 2018 Dec;57(6):814-818

Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzho, 225001, Jiangsu, China; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, 225001, Jiangsu, China. Electronic address:

Objective: The aim is to examine risk factors and neonatal outcomes of preterm birth and to provide basis in preventing preterm birth.

Materials And Methods: we carried out our study on 1328 term controls and 1328 preterm birth cases. By using multivariable logistic regression procedures we estimated odds ratio (OR) of potential preterm birth risk factors. Read More

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2019 Feb 3;233:12-18. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Inserm UMR 1153, Obstetrical, Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology Research Team (Epopé), Center for Epidemiology and Statistics Sorbonne Paris Cité, DHU Risks in pregnancy, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence and indications of terminations of pregnancy (TOP) between 22 and 31 weeks of gestational age in France and to examine the characteristics of women by indication of TOP.

Study Design: From the EPIPAGE 2 population-based cohort study of preterm births in France in 2011, we selected 5009 singleton live births, stillbirths and TOP that occurred between 22 and 31 weeks. We estimated the proportion of TOP by gestational age. Read More

Rev Argent Microbiol 2018 Dec 9. Epub 2018 Dec 9.

Laboratorio de Bacteriología Clínica, Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Córdoba, CABA, Argentina. Electronic address:

The etiology leading to neonatal damage is multifactorial, being genital infections one of the causes. The objective of the study was to identify microorganisms of the maternal genital tract that are associated with neonatal damage, in order to prevent future perinatal complications. Seven hundred and eleven pregnant patients attended their prenatal control during the period January 2010-July 2013. Read More

Reprod Sci 2018 Dec 12:1933719118815590. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

2 Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Premature prelabor rupture of the membranes (PPROM) causes one-third of preterm births worldwide and is most likely caused by subclinical intrauterine infection and/or inflammation. We proposed that women with systemic inflammation at the time of PPROM would have shorter latency. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 20 singleton pregnant women with PPROM between 23 ± 1 and 33 ± 6 weeks. Read More

J Obstet Gynaecol Can 2018 Dec 24;40(12):1627-1631. Epub 2018 Oct 24.

Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS.

We discuss the management of GBS positive women with PPROM, an aspect of obstetrical management that remains controversial despite the publication of new randomized control trials in recent years. Clinical practice guidelines from several countries' national organizations are compared and contrasted, and areas of uncertainty are identified. Read More

J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Aim: To obtain the incidence of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) at Siriraj Hospital during 2012-2016 and to identify its possible risk factors in singleton pregnancies.

Methods: This study was a retrospective case-control study. The institutional ethical committee has approved the study. Read More

Rev Chilena Infectol 2018 Aug;35(4):371-376

Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, Departamento de Infectología, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico.

Background: Endocervical infection by Chlamydia trachomatis is considered one of the leading causes of infertility worldwide. During pregnancy, it can lead to serious complications such as premature rupture of membranes and premature births.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of genital infection by C. Read More