Elevated second-trimester free beta-hCG as an isolated finding and pregnancy outcomes.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between unexplained elevated second-trimester free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) levels and pregnancy complications as well as adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: The study cohort comprised 2,110 non-smoking women with chromosomal and structurally normal fetuses at low-risk for both Down's syndrome (risk <1:250) and neural tube defects (maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein <2.0 MoM).

The influence of smoking and parity on serum markers for Down's syndrome screening.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of smoking and number of previous births on maternal serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein and free beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (free beta-hCG).

Methods: The study included 3,252 completed unaffected singleton pregnancies that proceeded beyond 37 weeks' gestation and resulted with a birth of healthy child. Smoking status of mothers and data concerning gravidity and parity were collected at the sampling date.

Maternal serum screening for Down syndrome: a survey of pregnant women's views.

Objectives: This study was undertaken to assess women's self-reported awareness of Down syndrome before they became pregnant and after they were supposedly informed about screening. We investigated their understanding of the purpose of screening and what a high statistical risk for Down syndrome means, and if there was a high statistical risk whether they would undergo amniocentesis.

Methods: Pregnant women (n=274) ranging from 17 to 43 years of age, with different educational backgrounds, were surveyed by means of a questionnaire which was given to them immediately before blood samples were taken.

Screening for Down's syndrome and neural tube defect in Croatia. A regional prospective study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficiency of second-trimester maternal serum screening for Down's syndrome and open neural tube defects using alpha-fetoprotein and free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin as serum markers.

Methods: 3, 188 women underwent testing between 14th and 22nd week of pregnancy. Of all tested patients, 25.

Exogenous and endogenous suppression of thyroid-stimulating hormone induces similar effects on thyroidal iodothyronines.

Thyroidal concentrations of T4 and T3 and the T4/T3 ratio were analyzed in the nodular and paranodular tissues from two groups of patients with suppressed TSH secretion. The first group consisted of 17 patients with nontoxic nodular goitre (NG), 8 of whom received long-term levothyroxine therapy to suppress TSH, while remaining 9 were untreated. The second group consisted of 10 patients with autonomously functioning thyroid adenoma (AFTA), in whom TSH secretion was suppressed due to the adenoma-induced increase in thyroid hormone concentrations.