Genes upregulated in the amnion at labour are bivalently marked by activating and repressive histone modifications.

Inflammatory genes are expressed increasingly in the foetal membranes at late gestation triggering birth. Here we have examined whether epigenetic histone modifications contribute to the upregulation of proinflammatory genes in the amnion in late pregnancy and at labour. Amnion samples were collected from early pregnancy, at term in the absence of labour and after spontaneous birth.

Screening for hepatitis C virus infection in methadone-maintained mothers and their infants.

Objective: To describe the patterns of screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in methadone-maintained pregnant women and their infants.

Design, Setting And Patients: Retrospective review of medical records from one rural and two metropolitan hospitals in New South Wales for pregnant women on methadone maintenance treatment and infants born to these women between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2006, as well as records for pregnant women who were not on methadone treatment.

Main Outcome Measures: Rates of anti-HCV antibody and HCV RNA testing for pregnant women and their infants, and ages at which infants attended follow-up appointments.