The effect of race and supplementation on maternal and umbilical cord plasma folates.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that race and supplementation affect the concentration and correlation of various folate species in maternal and umbilical cord blood.

Methods: This is a single-center, prospective, cross-sectional cohort of cord blood samples obtained from 40 uncomplicated term pregnancies as a pilot study, following a protocol approved by the Institutional Review Board. High performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry quantitated the following concentrations in extracted plasma samples: 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5MTHF), 5,10-methenyl-tetrahydrofolate (5,10-MeTHF), tetrahydrofolate (THF), and unmetabolized folic acid.

Placental Alpha Microglobulin-1 Compared With Fetal Fibronectin to Predict Preterm Delivery in Symptomatic Women.

Objective: To compare the rapid bedside test for placental α microglobulin-1 with the instrumented fetal fibronectin test for prediction of imminent spontaneous preterm delivery among women with symptoms of preterm labor.

Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study on pregnant women with signs or symptoms suggestive of preterm labor between 24 and 35 weeks of gestation with intact membranes and cervical dilatation less than 3 cm. Participants were prospectively enrolled at 15 U.

Incidence of wound complications in cesarean deliveries following closure with absorbable subcuticular staples versus conventional skin closure techniques.

Objective: To determine if there is a significant difference in composite wound complications among traditional closure techniques versus absorbable subcuticular staple closure.

Study Design: This study is a retrospective cohort study of cesarean sections performed from January through September of 2014. Composite wound complications included surgical site infection, separation, and fluid collection.

DHA supplementation and pregnancy outcomes.

Background: Observational studies associate higher intakes of n-3 (omega-3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) during pregnancy with higher gestation duration and birth size. The results of randomized supplementation trials using various n-3 LCPUFA sources and amounts are mixed.

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that 600 mg/d of the n-3 LCPUFA docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can increase maternal and newborn DHA status, gestation duration, birth weight, and length.