Sex differences in fetal growth and immediate birth outcomes in a low-risk Caucasian population.

Background: According to the WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study Group recommendations, boys and girls have different growth trajectories after birth. Our aim was to develop gender-specific fetal growth curves in a low-risk population and to compare immediate birth outcomes.

Methods: First, second, and third trimester fetal ultrasound examinations were conducted between 2002 and 2012.

Investigating the influence of maternal cortisol and emotional state during pregnancy on the DNA methylation status of the glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) promoter region in cord blood.

Background: The methylation status of the human glucocorticoid receptor gene NR3C1 in newborns has been reported to be sensitive to prenatal maternal mood. This study investigates both the association between maternal cortisol and emotional state during pregnancy and the methylation state of the promoter region of NR3C1 gene.

Methods: We examined 83 pregnant women.

Cytogenetic and morphological analysis of early products of conception following hystero-embryoscopy from couples with recurrent pregnancy loss.

Objective: Our knowledge about miscarriages mainly concerns pregnancies of at least 8 weeks' gestation. Information about the morphology and the genetic determinants of early aborted embryos remains limited. In addition, it is known that aneuploidies account for less than half of recurrent spontaneous abortions.

Somatic genomic variations in early human prenatal development.

Only 25 to 30% of conceptions result in a live birth. There is mounting evidence that the cause for this low fecundity is an extremely high incidence of chromosomal rearrangements occurring in the cleavage stage embryo. In this review, we gather all recent evidence for an extraordinary degree of mosaicisms in early embryogenesis.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and complications of ART.

This article reviews serious clinical complications related to assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures (ovarian stimulation and oocyte aspiration), including ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), bleeding and infection. These complications are rare, but can be severe and even life-threatening. It is important that general practitioners and gynaecologists are aware of these complications, because they will often be the first to be contacted by patients.

Assessing first trimester growth: the influence of ethnic background and maternal age.

Background: First trimester growth restriction may predict miscarriage or adverse outcome later in the pregnancy, but determinants of early growth are not well described. Our objective was to examine factors influencing fetal and gestational sac size in the first trimester.

Methods: Prospective observational study of 1828 singleton pregnancies before 12 weeks gestation.

Fetal assessment: do newer technologies offer better assessment and outcomes?

Purpose Of The Review: The present manuscript reviews recent data on fetal intrapartum surveillance with special attention to new technologies.

Recent Findings: Continuous fetal heart-rate monitoring, fetal blood sampling, intrapartum stimulation tests, fetal pulse oximetry and fetal electrocardiography will be reviewed.

Summary: From the available data it appears that to date the analysis of the sinus tachycardia segment of the fetal electrocardiography used in conjunction with continuous fetal heart-rate monitoring is the method of choice.