Cigarette smoking during pregnancy is associated with alterations in maternal and fetal thyroid function.

Context: Studies in the general population have shown lower serum TSH levels in smokers as compared with nonsmokers.

Aim: Our aim was to examine whether smoking is associated with changes in thyroid function of pregnant women and their fetus.

Subjects And Methods: We examined the relationship between smoking and thyroid function (serum TSH, free T4, and free T3) in two independent cohorts of pregnant women without a history of thyroid disorder or an overt biochemical thyroid dysfunction: 1) first-trimester cohort (median gestation 9 wk) (n = 1428) and 2) third-trimester cohort (gestation 28 wk) (n = 927).

Validation of the Oscar 2 oscillometric 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitor according to the British Hypertension Society protocol.

Objectives: Accuracy of blood pressure measuring devices is of prime importance and should be validated before devices are used clinically. We carried out an independent evaluation of the Oscar 2 oscillometric ambulatory blood pressure monitor (SunTech Medical, Model 222) according to the British Hypertension Society (BHS) Protocol.

Methods: Validation of the Oscar 2 was carried out in accordance with Part 1 of the British Hypertension Society protocol.

Detection of thyroid dysfunction in early pregnancy: Universal screening or targeted high-risk case finding?

Context: Maternal subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy is associated with various adverse outcomes. Recent consensus guidelines do not advocate universal thyroid function screening during pregnancy but recommend testing high-risk pregnant women with a personal history of thyroid or other autoimmune disorders or with a family history of thyroid disorders.

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess efficacy of the targeted high-risk case-finding approach in identifying women with thyroid dysfunction during early pregnancy.

Validation of the OSCAR 2 oscillometric 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitor according to the International Protocol for the validation of blood pressure measuring devices.

Objectives: The accuracy of blood pressure measuring devices is of prime importance and should be validated before devices are used clinically. We carried out an independent evaluation of the OSCAR 2 oscillometric ambulatory blood pressure monitor (SunTech Medical model 222) according to the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol.

Methods: Adult subjects were recruited from patients and staff at The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK.