Second stage of labor and intraventricular hemorrhage in early preterm infants in the vertex presentation.

Objective: To investigate the association between exposure to second stage of labor and duration of second stage, and risk of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) among infants delivered <30 weeks of gestation.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study among 158 singleton vertex deliveries (97 vaginal and 61 cesarean). Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the risk of IVH related to second stage.

Association of gestational weight gain with cesarean delivery rate after labor induction.

Objective: To evaluate the association of gestational weight gain with the cesarean delivery (CD) rate in term women undergoing induction of labor (IOL).

Study Design: This is a retrospective cohort study of 2,495 consecutive term women from May 2005 to June 2008 admitted for IOL between 37 and 42 completed weeks of gestation. Labor induction ending in cesarean delivery was defined as a binary outcome.

The use of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation in a patient with H1N1 pneumonia.

A 32-year-old multigravida was admitted at 33.9 weeks with respiratory distress. Community-acquired pneumonia was suspected and antimicrobial treatment initiated with ceftriaxone sodium and azithromycin.

Physical activity before and during pregnancy and duration of second stage of labor among Hispanic women.

Objective: To study a possible association between physical activity and the duration of second stage of labor among Hispanic women.

Study Design: We evaluated this relationship in the Latina Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Study, a prospective cohort of Hispanic obstetric patients. The Kaiser Physical Activity Survey was used to collect information on physical activity in prepregnancy, early pregnancy and mid-pregnancy.

Accuracy of fetal fibronectin to predict preterm birth in twin gestations with symptoms of labor.

Objective: To investigate accuracy of fetal fibronectin testing to predict preterm birth in twin gestations with symptoms of preterm labor.

Methods: We reviewed charts of all patients with twin gestations who underwent fetal fibronectin testing and presented with complaints of preterm labor between January 1, 2000, and June 30, 2004. We also reviewed the charts of all singleton gestations with similar complaints that had fetal fibronectin testing between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2001.

Antenatal necrotic injury in severe twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. A case and review.

A case of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) was associated with ischemic injury of the left leg of the recipient twin. Five reduction amniocenteses were performed between 17 6/7 and 23 3/7 weeks followed by fetoscopic laser ablation of chorioangiopagus vessels at 23 6/7 weeks of gestation. Anatomic assessment of the affected limb indicated timing of the injury at 19 4/7 weeks gestational age.

Limited prognostic value of a staging system for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

Objective: Severe twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is usually classified according to a staging system (I-V) based on ultrasonographic findings of polyhydramnios in the recipient, oligohydramnios in the donor, the presence or absence of the donor's bladder, Doppler waveform changes and (impending) hydrops. Stage correlates with the severity of disease, and it is assumed that, without intervention, severe TTTS will evolve in succession from stage I to stage V (fetal demise). However, this progression has not been validated in longitudinal studies.

Concentrations of serum total activin A and inhibin A in preterm and term labor patients: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To compare maternal serum levels of total activin A and inhibin A in preterm and term patients who are in labor or not in labor.

Methods: A cross-sectional study compared activin A and inhibin A in the following groups of patients: preterm and in labor (n = 65), preterm and not in labor (n = 96), term and in labor (n = 65), and term and not in labor (n = 65). Preterm was defined as 23-34 weeks' gestation and term as 37-42 weeks' gestation.

Deficiency of decidual IL-10 in first trimester missed abortion: a lack of correlation with the decidual immune cell profile.

Problem: To determine if first trimester missed abortion decidua is characterized by an altered immune cell profile and/or a modified interleukin (IL)-10 and interferon (IFN)-gamma production pattern compared with decidua from elective termination.

Method Of Study: Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry techniques were used to determine the decidual immune cell phenotypic profile and production pattern of IL-10 and IFN-gamma in cases of elective termination (n = 14) and missed abortion (n = 12).

Results: Both groups had a similar proportion of CD56+ CD16-, CD56+ CD16+, CD19+, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, alphabeta T cells and gammadelta T cells.