Association of a maternal CD14 -159 gene polymorphism with preterm premature rupture of membranes and spontaneous preterm birth in multi-fetal pregnancies.

CD14, the major receptor for bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as well as other microbial antigens, is a component of the innate immune system. We hypothesized that a single nucleotide C>T polymorphism at position -159 in the CD14 gene that results in elevated CD14 production would influence susceptibility to preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB) in multi-fetal pregnancies. DNA from 107 mother-twin and three mother-triplet pairs was analyzed.

Obstetric outcomes after surgical abortion at > or = 20 weeks' gestation.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe obstetric outcomes after surgical abortion at > or = 20 weeks, and to identify risk factors for subsequent spontaneous preterm birth.

Study Design: Patients who had surgical abortion at > or = 20 weeks' gestation from 1996 to 2003 and received subsequent prenatal care at The New York Weill Cornell Medical Center were identified. Indication for abortion, operative technique, and subsequent pregnancy outcomes were reviewed.

A single nucleotide A>G polymorphism at position -670 in the Fas gene promoter: relationship to preterm premature rupture of fetal membranes in multifetal pregnancies.

Objective: The relationship between a polymorphism at position -670 in the Fas gene (TNFRSF6) and preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) in multifetal pregnancies was examined.

Methods: Buccal swabs from 119 mother-infant sets were analyzed for an adenine (A) to guanine (G) substitution at position -670 in the TNFRSF6 promoter. Pregnancy outcome data were subsequently obtained.

Clinical significance of first trimester crown-rump length disparity in dichorionic twin gestations.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical significance of first trimester crown-rump disparity in dichorionic twin gestations.

Study Design: Ultrasound examinations of dichorionic twin pregnancies between 11 and 14 weeks of gestation were evaluated for growth discordance using crown-rump length. Medical records were reviewed for antenatal complications that included spontaneous abortion, fetal death, fetal structural or chromosomal anomalies, and preterm delivery.

Polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene at position -308 and the inducible 70 kd heat shock protein gene at position +1267 in multifetal pregnancies and preterm premature rupture of fetal membranes.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between preterm premature rupture of membranes, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and heat shock protein-70 gene polymorphisms in multifetal gestations.

Study Design: Buccal swabs from 101 mother-neonate pairs of multifetal pregnancies were tested for single nucleotide polymorphisms at position -308 of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene and +1267 of the heat shock protein-70 gene. Pregnancy outcome data were obtained subsequently.

First- and second-trimester ultrasound assessment of gestational age.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the accuracy of first- and second-trimester ultrasound assessment of fetal age.

Study Design: Differences between ultrasound estimated gestational age and true gestational age were calculated between 11 to 14 weeks of gestation and 18 to 22 weeks of gestation for singleton, twin, and triplet pregnancies that were conceived by in vitro fertilization.

Results: One hundred four singleton pregnancies, 81 twin pregnancies, and 33 triplet pregnancies were included.

Intrapartum elective cesarean delivery: a previously unrecognized clinical entity.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to investigate the incidence of intrapartum patient choice cesarean delivery-patients' requesting cesarean delivery and physicians' offering it during labor-and factors possibly influencing these requests and offers.

Methods: For a 6-month period from May 1, 2002, to October 31, 2002, obstetricians were asked to complete a questionnaire after all intrapartum cesarean deliveries regarding whether cesarean delivery was offered by the obstetrician or requested by the patient before being medically indicated. Patient medical records and physician demographic information were reviewed.

Dilation and evacuation at >or=20 weeks: comparison of operative techniques.

Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the relative safety of 2 techniques for surgical abortion late in the second trimester.Study design Retrospective review of patients who underwent surgical abortion at >or=20 weeks' gestation at our hospital from June 1996 through June 2003. Records were reviewed to determine whether the technique used was dilation and evacuation or intact dilation and extraction.

Interleukin-4 and -10 gene polymorphisms and spontaneous preterm birth in multifetal gestations.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between maternal and fetal carriage of different alleles of interleukin-4 and -10 genes and pregnancy outcome in multifetal gestations.

Study Design: Buccal swabs from mother-infant pairs of 73 multifetal gestations were assayed for polymorphisms at position -590 of the interleukin-4 gene and position -1082 of the interleukin-10 gene. Pregnancy outcome data were obtained subsequently.

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene polymorphism and multifetal pregnancy outcome.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether interleukin-1 receptor antagonist and/or interleukin-1beta gene polymorphisms influence multifetal pregnancy outcome.

Study Design: Maternal and neonatal buccal swabs from 51 multifetal gestations were analyzed for interleukin-1 receptor antagonist and interleukin-1beta alleles. Outcome data were obtained subsequently.

First trimester prediction of growth discordance in twin gestations.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether first trimester ultrasound scanning can identify twin gestations that are at risk for subsequent growth discordance.

Study Design: Ultrasound examinations of dichorionic twin pregnancies between 11 and 14 weeks of gestation were evaluated for growth discordance with crown-rump length. Pregnancies that were complicated by fetal death or anomalies were excluded from the analysis.