Development and validation of a spontaneous preterm delivery predictor in asymptomatic women.

Background: Preterm delivery remains the leading cause of perinatal mortality. Risk factors and biomarkers have traditionally failed to identify the majority of preterm deliveries.

Objective: To develop and validate a mass spectrometry-based serum test to predict spontaneous preterm delivery in asymptomatic pregnant women.

An exploratory analysis of the utility of adding cardiorespiratory biofeedback in the standard care of pregnancy-induced hypertension.

This study examined the efficacy of a cardiorespiratory biofeedback intervention compared to bed rest in the treatment of 47 women diagnosed with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). The investigation consisted of a historical control group with 31 PIH subjects receiving treatment as usual (TAU), bed rest and antihypertensive medications, and an experimental group with 16 PIH subjects receiving TAU and instruction on using a portable respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) biofeedback device once daily until delivery. Results indicated that systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were unchanged for either group.

Nonstress testing at ≤ 32.0 weeks' gestation: a randomized trial comparing different assessment criteria.

Objective: Comparison of time and outcomes of National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development defined fetal heart rate acceleration criteria at ≤ 32 weeks (≥ 10 beats/min, ≥ 10 seconds) compared with standard criteria (≥ 15 beats/min, ≥ 15 seconds).

Study Design: Singleton high-risk pregnancies that were referred for nonstress testing at ≤ 32 weeks' gestation were randomly assigned to 15 × 15 or 10 × 10 criteria. Data included nonstress test information, maternal data, and outcomes.

AmniSure placental alpha microglobulin-1 rapid immunoassay versus standard diagnostic methods for detection of rupture of membranes.

The purpose of this study was to compare the AmniSure rapid immunoassay with standard methods for diagnosing rupture of fetal membranes. Patients presenting with signs/symptoms of membrane rupture between 15 and 42 weeks of gestation were invited to participate. Standard/control methods were performed to establish a diagnosis and compare it with AmniSure results.