The predictive value of serum cancer antigen 125 (CA125) levels on pregnancy outcome in threatened miscarriages.

Background Spontaneous miscarriages are common pregnancy complications which result in psychological and emotional burden in the affected women. It is therefore necessary to identify biomarkers that can predict pregnancy outcome in women with threatened miscarriages so as to assist in their counselling and management. Methods The study compared levels of maternal serum CA125 in 65 pregnancies with threatened miscarriages (study group) with 65 normal intrauterine pregnancies (control group) between 6 weeks and 19 weeks + 6 days gestation using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique.

Evaluation of maternal serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and its association with successful labour outcome among parturients undergoing spontaneous labour at term.

This study evaluated maternal serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) in spontaneous labour and its association with successful labour at term. A cross-sectional observational study was carried out on 140 parturients. Their blood samples were collected in active labour; allowed to clot, centrifuged, separated and stored at -20 °C before analysis for DHEAS was done using the ELISA method.

Response to fifty grams oral glucose challenge test and pattern of preceding fasting plasma glucose in normal pregnant Nigerians.

Background: Diabetes mellitus in pregnancy has profound implications for the baby and mother and thus active screening for this is desirable.

Method: Fifty grams oral glucose challenge test was administered after obtaining consent to 222 women in good health with singleton pregnancies without diabetes mellitus at 24 to 28 weeks gestation after an overnight fast. Venous blood sample was obtained before and 1 hour after the glucose load.