Maternal risk factors for preterm birth: a country-based population analysis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify maternal risk factors for spontaneous preterm birth (PTB) compared to delivery at term, in order to recognize high risk women and to provide a global overview of the Italian situation.

Study Design: A multicenter, observational and retrospective, cross-sectional study was designed. The study population comprised 7634 women recruited in 9 different University Maternity Hospitals in Italy.

Is there any association between periodontitis and preterm low birth weight?

Objective: To estimate the association between periodontitis (PD) and preterm low birth weight (LBW).

Study Design: Observational study in a University clinical setting on a population of 120 pregnant women.

Results: One specialist in periodontics examined all the patients.

Does fetal sex affect pregnancy outcome?

Background: In maternal fetal medicine, gender differences in outcome are often observed.

Objective: This article reviews the fetal sex-dependent differences found in many aspects of pregnancy, from conception through birth.

Methods: The MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Current Contents databases were searched, for the years 1985 to 2006, using the following Medical Subject Headings and text words: fetal gender, finale, female, sex ratio at birth, pregnancy outcome, preterm birth, and stillbirth.