Secreted phospholipase A2 is increased in meconium-stained amniotic fluid of term gestations: potential implications for the genesis of meconium aspiration syndrome.

Background: Meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) represents the passage of fetal colonic content into the amniotic cavity. Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is a complication that occurs in a subset of infants with MSAF. Secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) is detected in meconium and is implicated in the development of MAS.

Bacteria and endotoxin in meconium-stained amniotic fluid at term: could intra-amniotic infection cause meconium passage?

Background: Meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) is a common occurrence among women in spontaneous labor at term, and has been associated with adverse outcomes in both mother and neonate. MSAF is a risk factor for microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC) and preterm birth among women with preterm labor and intact membranes. We now report the frequency of MIAC and the presence of bacterial endotoxin in the amniotic fluid of patients with MSAF at term.

A genetic association study of maternal and fetal candidate genes that predispose to preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM).

Objective: We sought to determine whether maternal/fetal single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes are associated with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (pPROM).

Study Design: A case-control study was conducted in patients with pPROM (225 mothers and 155 fetuses) and 599 mothers and 628 fetuses with a normal pregnancy; 190 candidate genes and 775 SNPs were studied. Single locus/haplotype association analyses were performed; false discovery rate was used to correct for multiple testing (q* = 0.

Polymorphisms in maternal and fetal genes encoding for proteins involved in extracellular matrix metabolism alter the risk for small-for-gestational-age.

Objective: To examine the association between maternal and fetal genetic variants and small-for-gestational-age (SGA).

Methods: A case-control study was conducted in patients with SGA neonates (530 maternal and 436 fetal) and controls (599 maternal and 628 fetal); 190 candidate genes and 775 SNPs were studied. Single-locus, multi-locus and haplotype association analyses were performed on maternal and fetal data with logistic regression, multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) analysis, and haplotype-based association with 2 and 3 marker sliding windows, respectively.

Identification of fetal and maternal single nucleotide polymorphisms in candidate genes that predispose to spontaneous preterm labor with intact membranes.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether maternal/fetal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes are associated with spontaneous preterm labor/delivery.

Study Design: A genetic association study was conducted in 223 mothers and 179 fetuses (preterm labor with intact membranes who delivered <37 weeks of gestation [preterm birth (PTB)]), and 599 mothers and 628 fetuses (normal pregnancy); 190 candidate genes and 775 SNPs were studied. Single locus/haplotype association analyses were performed; the false discovery rate was used to correct for multiple testing.

Candidate-gene association study of mothers with pre-eclampsia, and their infants, analyzing 775 SNPs in 190 genes.

Pre-eclampsia (PE) affects 5-7% of pregnancies in the US, and is a leading cause of maternal death and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. To identify genes with a role in PE, we conducted a large-scale association study evaluating 775 SNPs in 190 candidate genes selected for a potential role in obstetrical complications. SNP discovery was performed by DNA sequencing, and genotyping was carried out in a high-throughput facility using the MassARRAY(TM) System.