Term histologic chorioamnionitis: a heterogeneous condition.

A histologic response of histologic chorioamnionitis (HCA) is defined as an intrauterine inflammatory condition characterized by acute granulocyte infiltration into the fetal-maternal or the fetal tissues. Prevalence of HCA is inversely correlated with gestational age, occurring in 50% of preterm birth and in up to 20% of deliveries at term. Regardless of these standard definitions, understanding HCA is challenging as it reflects a heterogeneous condition.

Women with endometriosis at first pregnancy have an increased risk of adverse obstetric outcome.

Objective: To evaluate pregnancy, delivery and neonatal outcome in singleton primiparous versus multiparous women with/without endometriosis.

Methods: Multicentric, observational and cohort study on a group of Caucasian pregnant women (n = 2239) interviewed during their hospitalization for delivery in five Italian Gynecologic and Obstetric Units (Siena, Rome, Padua, Varese and Florence).

Results: Primiparous women with endometriosis (n = 219) showed significantly higher risk of small for gestational age fetuses (OR: 2.

Understanding spontaneous preterm birth: from underlying mechanisms to predictive and preventive interventions.

Preterm birth is defined as birth before 37 weeks' gestational age. With an incidence of 7% to 11%, it is one of the major causes of perinatal mortality and morbidity. Preterm birth is considered a clinical syndrome, which arises from different pathological processes that activate prematurely one or more components of the mechanisms leading to parturition.

Fetal gender effects on induction of labor in postdate pregnancies.

Objective: To determine delivery outcome in women undergoing induction of labor for postdate pregnancy in relation to fetal gender.

Study Design: A total of 365 nulliparous and 127 multiparous women carrying singleton postdate pregnancies with unfavorable cervix were enrolled. Clinical characteristics and delivery outcome were analyzed in relation to fetal gender.

Uterine fibroids affect pregnancy outcome in women over 30 years old: role of other risk factors.

Objective: To evaluate the pregnancy outcome in women >30 years old with uterine fibroids also considering other possible concomitant risk factors.

Methods: A multicentric, observational and retrospective study was conducted. All women were asked to complete a questionnaire while they were in hospital and the outcome of pregnancy was investigated.

Histologic chorioamnionitis at term: implications for the progress of labor and neonatal wellbeing.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate: i) the rate of histologic chorioamnionitis in relation to the onset of labor and mode of delivery; ii) influence of clinical parameters on the risk of histologic chorioamnionitis in laboring women; iii) neonatal outcome in relation to histologic chorioamnionitis.

Methods: A cohort study was conducted on 395 healthy women at term, with singleton uneventful pregnancy, of which 195 with spontaneous onset of labor and 200 with elective cesarean section. All placentas, collected after delivery, were examined for the diagnosis of histologic chorioamnionitis.

The identification of high risk pregnancy: a new challenge in obstetrics.

Preterm delivery (PTD) and pre-eclampsia (PE) represent the main "obstetric syndromes," caused by multiple conditions, and characterized by complex pathogenesis. Nonetheless, recent evidences attest that deregulation of the immune system and exaggeration of inflammatory processes, taking place in the feto-placental unit, represent common central mechanisms occurring in both diseases. Tertiary prevention represents the only intervention to prevent PTD, but its incidence is still increasing.

Biochemical and biophysical predictors of the response to the induction of labor in nulliparous postterm pregnancy.

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the clinical, sonographic, and hormonal variables that influence the success of labor induction in nulliparous postterm pregnancies.

Study Design: Fifty nulliparous women with a single postterm pregnancy receiving a slow-release prostaglandin estradiol pessary were prospectively enrolled, and clinical characteristics were analyzed in relation to success of induction of labor. Clinical, sonographic, and hormonal variables were analyzed by univariate statistical analysis and multivariate logistic regression for the prediction of successful induction.

Inflammatory and infectious risk factors are associated with the response to tocolysis in patients with preterm labor.

Objective: Inflammation/infection is the most frequent conditions leading to preterm delivery (PTD). A few studies have assessed the clinical efficacy of long-term tocolysis with ritodrine hydrochloride. In this study, the relationship among inflammatory/infective risk factors of PTD, the response to long-term tocolysis, and timing of delivery were evaluated in women with preterm labor.