Maternal intravascular inflammation in preterm premature rupture of membranes.

Objective: Intrauterine inflammation has been implicated in the mechanisms responsible for preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM). However, it is unclear whether this inflammatory process remains localized to the uterus, at the site of membrane rupture, or extends to the maternal compartment. Flow cytometric analysis is a sensitive method to assess the presence and magnitude of in vivo inflammation.

The ninety-fifth percentile for growth discordance predicts complications of twin pregnancy.

Objective: Our purpose was to define twin growth discordance on the basis of perinatal outcome.

Study Design: Twins delivered at >23 weeks' gestation between 1995 and 2000 were identified by use of our computerized perinatal database. Birth weight (BW), chorionicity, and the following outcomes were recorded: cesarean delivery for nonreassuring fetal status (NRFS), umbilical artery (UA) pH, 5-minute Apgar score, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, and stillbirth.

Phenotypic and metabolic characteristics of maternal monocytes and granulocytes in preterm labor with intact membranes.

Objective: Experimental and clinical studies support a role for the fetus in the control of the onset of labor. Fetal systemic inflammation, but not a maternal inflammatory response, has been linked to the onset of preterm labor and delivery on the basis of the determination of inflammatory cytokines in fetal and maternal blood. We propose that parturition requires fetomaternal cooperation and that inflammation is an integral part of the parturitional process.

Phenotypic and metabolic characteristics of monocytes and granulocytes in normal pregnancy and maternal infection.

Objective: Normal pregnancy has been proposed to be a state of physiologic activation of the innate limb of the immune response. Recent studies have concluded that normal pregnancy produces inflammatory changes in peripheral blood leukocytes akin to those of sepsis. This unexpected observation has implications that are critical to understanding the susceptibility of pregnant women to sepsis, the pathophysiology of preeclampsia, and the biology of normal pregnancy.

Phenotypic and metabolic characteristics of monocytes and granulocytes in preeclampsia.

Objective: The maternal syndrome of preeclampsia has recently been attributed to a systemic intravascular inflammatory response and endothelial cell activation and dysfunction. This novel hypothesis has considerable clinical and biological implications. This study was designed to determine whether women with preeclampsia have evidence of intravascular inflammation by examination of the phenotypic and metabolic activity of granulocytes and monocytes.