Trimester-specific reference intervals for thyroid function parameters in pregnant Caucasian women using Roche platforms: a prospective study.

Background: Standard thyroid function parameters reference intervals (RI) are unsuitable during pregnancy, potentially resulting in incongruous treatments that may cause adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes. We aimed at defining trimester-specific TSH, FT4 and FT3 RI, using samples longitudinally collected from healthy Caucasian women.

Materials And Methods: Blood samples from 150 healthy Caucasian women, who had a physiological gestation and a healthy newborn at term, were collected in each trimester and at around six months post-partum.

Weight loss in obese prepubertal children: the influence of insulin resistance.

Background: Insulin resistance (IR), a link of paramount importance between obesity and cardiovascular/metabolic complications, seems to be implicated in weight changes.

Objective: To determine whether IR could influence weight status during a 1-year intervention program in obese prepubertal children.

Methods: Forty-four children with IR (IR group) and 42 children without IR (NIR group) were enrolled.

Prevention of multiple pregnancy following IVF in Spain.

Since the development of assisted reproduction techniques most countries have witnessed increased rates of multiple pregnancy. Despite the guidelines proposed by various scientific societies these rates continue to be abnormally high. In Spain, as in other Mediterranean countries, a greater number of embryos are transferred than in northern and central European countries and the incidence of multiple pregnancies is greater in comparison.

Clinical strategies to avoid multiple pregnancies in assisted reproduction.

Multiple pregnancies following assisted reproductive techniques (ART) became an epidemic in the early nineties. Since then, most European countries have tried to apply restrictive policies to avoid multiples and high order multiples as far as possible. Those pregnancies may cause severe consequences to both the fetuses and mother.