Novel biomarkers of preterm brain injury from blood transcriptome in sheep model of intrauterine asphyxia.

Background: Infants born preterm have a higher incidence of neurological deficits. A key step in finding effective treatments is to identify biomarkers that reliably predict outcome.

Methods: Following umbilical cord occlusion (UCO) in pregnant sheep, whole fetal blood RNA was sequenced pre- and post-UCO, brain injury outcome was determined by battery of neuropathology scoring and the transcriptome signature correlated to the degree of brain injury.

Induction of labour at 41 weeks of gestation versus expectant management and induction of labour at 42 weeks of gestation: A cost-effectiveness analysis.

Objective: To assess the cost-effectiveness of induction of labour (IOL) at 41 weeks of gestation compared with expectant management until 42 weeks of gestation.

Design: A cost-effectiveness analysis alongside the Swedish Post-term Induction Study (SWEPIS), a multicentre, randomised controlled superiority trial.

Setting: Fourteen Swedish hospitals during 2016-2018.

Efficacy and safety of oral misoprostol vs transvaginal balloon catheter for labor induction: An observational study within the SWEdish Postterm Induction Study (SWEPIS).

Introduction: Induction of labor is increasing. A common indication for induction of labor is late term and postterm pregnancy at 41 weeks or more. We aimed to evaluate if there are any differences regarding efficacy, safety, and women's childbirth experience between oral misoprostol and transvaginal balloon catheter for cervical ripening in women with a low-risk singleton pregnancy and induction of labor at 41 to 42 weeks of gestation.

Induction of labour at 41 weeks or expectant management until 42 weeks: A systematic review and an individual participant data meta-analysis of randomised trials.

Background: The risk of perinatal death and severe neonatal morbidity increases gradually after 41 weeks of pregnancy. Several randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have assessed if induction of labour (IOL) in uncomplicated pregnancies at 41 weeks will improve perinatal outcomes. We performed an individual participant data meta-analysis (IPD-MA) on this subject.

Induction of labour at 41 weeks versus expectant management and induction of labour at 42 weeks (SWEdish Post-term Induction Study, SWEPIS): multicentre, open label, randomised, superiority trial.

Objective: To evaluate if induction of labour at 41 weeks improves perinatal and maternal outcomes in women with a low risk pregnancy compared with expectant management and induction of labour at 42 weeks.

Design: Multicentre, open label, randomised controlled superiority trial.

Setting: 14 hospitals in Sweden, 2016-18.

Failure of thyroid hormone treatment to prevent inflammation-induced white matter injury in the immature brain.

Preterm birth is very strongly associated with maternal/foetal inflammation and leads to permanent neurological deficits. These deficits correlate with the severity of white matter injury, including maturational arrest of oligodendrocytes and hypomyelination. Preterm birth and exposure to inflammation causes hypothyroxinemia.