Gestational Antibodies to C. pneumoniae, H. pylori and CMV in Women with Preeclampsia and in Matched Controls.

Objectives: Some research has suggested a possible role for past infection in the development of preeclampsia. The objective of this study was to explore the role of Helicobacter pylori, cytomegalovirus, and Chlamydophila pneumoniae in the development of preeclampsia in a prospective pregnancy sample.

Methods: We conducted a nested case-control study in The Archive for Child Health (ARCH), a pregnancy cohort of 867 unselected women enrolled at the first prenatal visit with archived blood and urine in pregnancy.

Optimal timing of ampicillin administration to pregnant women for establishing bactericidal levels in the prophylaxis of Group B Streptococcus.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the time necessary to achieve and maintain bactericidal concentrations of ampicillin in the cord blood.

Study Design: This was a prospective study in which women scheduled for an elective cesarean section were given intravenous ampicillin before the procedure. Cord and simultaneous maternal blood samples were collected at the time of delivery.

Evaluation of the effect of meconium on assessment of fetal lung maturity status by TDxFLM II testing.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of meconium contamination on the TDxFLM II assay.

Methods: Amniotic fluid was collected from patients undergoing amniocentesis for obstetric indications between 31 and 40 weeks of gestation. A baseline TDxFLM II value was obtained and compared with amniotic fluid contaminated with 1%, 5%, and 10% meconium by weight.