Publications by authors named "Mauro Parra"

Background: Previous randomized trials have shown that progesterone administration in women who previously delivered prematurely reduces the risk of recurrent premature delivery. Asymptomatic women found at midgestation to have a short cervix are at greatly increased risk for spontaneous early preterm delivery, and it is unknown whether progesterone reduces this risk in such women.

Methods: Cervical length was measured by transvaginal ultrasonography at a median of 22 weeks of gestation (range, 20 to 25) in 24,620 pregnant women seen for routine prenatal care.

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Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate whether screening through a uterine artery (UtA) Doppler and biochemical markers of oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction predict preeclampsia.

Study Design: UtA Doppler was performed at 11 to 14 and 22 to 25 weeks on 1447 asymptomatic pregnant women. Oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and antiangiogenic state were assessed in women who later developed preeclampsia and normotensive controls.

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Background: Pregnancy is a physiological hypercoagulable state with an increased incidence of thromboembolic phenomena. There is an increase in the concentrations of most clotting factors, a decrease in concentration of some of the natural anticoagulants and reduced fibrinolytic activity. Changes in PS levels have also been reported.

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Preeclampsia (PE) is a multisystem disorder that remains a major cause of maternal and foetal morbidity and death. To date, no treatment has been found that prevents the development of the disease. Endothelial dysfunction is considered to underlie its clinical manifestations, such as maternal hypertension, proteinuria, and edema; however, the precise biochemical pathways involved remain unclear.

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We report two patients with Beare-Stevenson syndrome. This syndrome presents craniosynostosis with or without clover-leaf skull, craniofacial anomalies, cutis gyrata, acanthosis nigricans, prominent umbilical stump, furrowed palms and soles, genital and anal anomalies. Both female newborn patients presented at birth with craniofacial anomalies, variable cutis gyrata in forehead and preauricular regions, prominent umbilical stump and anogenital anomalies.

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Objective: To investigate whether a maternal inflammatory response precedes the development of preeclampsia.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Antenatal clinic in an inner city teaching hospital.

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