Linear Versus Non-Linear Dose-Response Relationship Between Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Meconium Concentration of Nine Different Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters.

Presence of individual fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) in meconium is considered to be a reliable biomarker of prenatal alcohol exposure, and their concentration has been found to be linearly associated with poor postnatal development, supporting the widely extended idea that ethanol is a non-threshold teratogen. However, a growing number of epidemiological studies have consistently found a lack of adverse short- and long-term fetal outcomes at low exposure levels. We therefore aimed to investigate the relationship between the concentration of individual FAEEs and prenatal alcohol exposure in meconium samples collected within the first 6 to 12?h after birth from 182 babies born to abstainer mothers and from 54 babies born to women who self-reported either light or moderate alcohol ingestion in the second or third trimester of pregnancy.

Could a first-trimester blood phosphatidylethanol concentration ⩾4 nM be useful to identify women with moderate-to-heavy prenatal alcohol exposure who are at high risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes?

It is accepted that blood phosphatidylethanol (PEth) concentrations are reliable biomarkers of ethanol (alcohol) exposure. We therefore conducted a preliminary study to test the hypothesis that elevated blood PEth concentrations can help to identifying women with prenatal alcohol exposure who are at higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The study included 35 first-trimester pregnant women who self-reported alcohol ingestion and had PEth blood concentration ⩾4 nM at recruitment.

A case series of 15 women inadvertently exposed to magnetic resonance imaging in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Information on the safety of first-trimester exposure to diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remains scarce. We are reporting a case series of 15 consecutive pregnant women who underwent an MRI scan with a 1.5-Tesla scanner of either the head (n = 5), cervical spine (n = 4), lumbar spine (n = 4), pelvis (n = 1) or knee (n = 1) in their first trimester of pregnancy (mean gestational age at exposure: 3.

Simple high-throughput analytical method using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry to quantify total 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol in urine.

Background: Since the urinary concentration of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) is a reliable biomarker of exposure to tobacco smoke, we developed a relatively simple high-throughput chromatographic method to quantify total urinary NNAL concentrations in the general population.

Methods: The high-throughput analytical method was developed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) to identify and quantify total urinary NNAL concentrations in 10 non-smokers and 15 otherwise healthy smokers.

Results: Loss of nitric oxide at m/z 30 was found to be the predominant mass transitioned, and therefore was used as the SIM transition to quantify both NNAL and NNAL-methyl-d3 in urine.

Assessment of fetal and neonatal outcomes in the offspring of women who had been treated with dried ginger (Zingiberis rhizoma siccus) for a variety of illnesses during pregnancy.

The present study was designed to investigate if exposure to dried ginger during pregnancy would increase the risk of adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes. Participants consisted of 159 singleton pregnant women who received dried ginger as a herbal medication. We also included a control group of 306 pregnant women who had not been exposed to any herbal medication or any known teratogen.

Preventive effects of folic acid supplementation on adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.

Although there is accumulating evidence regarding the additional protective effect of folic acid against adverse pregnancy outcomes other than neural tube defects, these effects have not been elucidated in detail. We evaluated whether folic acid supplementation is associated with favorable maternal and fetal outcomes. This was a secondary analysis of 215 pregnant women who were enrolled in our prior study.

Dose-response and time-response analysis of total fatty acid ethyl esters in meconium as a biomarker of prenatal alcohol exposure.

Objectives: Little is known on how the dose and timing of exposure co-influence the cumulative concentration of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) in meconium. The objective of the study was to assess the cumulative concentration of FAEEs in meconium as a biomarker of light, moderate, or heavy prenatal alcohol exposure occurring at either first, second, or third trimesters of pregnancy.

Methods: History of prenatal alcohol exposure was obtained in the 34th week of gestation from 294 pregnant women.

Characterization of phosphatidylethanol blood concentrations for screening alcohol consumption in early pregnancy.

Objective: Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is formed endogenously by the direct action of ethanol, and has a half-life long enough to make it a reliable biomarker of alcohol exposure in early pregnancy. In this study, we aimed to characterize PEth blood concentrations to differentiate different levels of alcohol exposure in pregnant women.

Methods: The study consisted of 305 consecutive pregnant women who had been referred to our hospital for antenatal care.

A randomized controlled trial of a vancomycin loading dose in children.

Background: Despite its frequent use, the optimal dosing regimen of intravenous vancomycin remains controversial. Achievement of therapeutic trough early in the course of illness may be beneficial. Our objective was to assess whether a loading dose of vancomycin would increase the proportion of children reaching target trough concentrations 8 hours after initiation of therapy.

Fetal and neonatal outcomes in women taking domperidone during pregnancy.

The safety of domperidone in pregnancy remains unknown. Therefore, the study aimed to prospectively evaluate the fetal outcomes of women who were taking domperidone during pregnancy. In a prospective cohort study design, 120 1st- trimester pregnant women who were taking domperidone for controlling gastrointestinal tract symptoms and 212 age-matched pregnant women not exposed to any potential teratogenic agent, were followed-up until delivery.

Fetal and neonatal outcomes in women reporting ingestion of licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) during pregnancy.

Maternal intake of licorice from dietary sources has been associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. We prospectively studied the outcome of 185 singleton pregnancies who took over-the-counter or naturopathic formulations containing licorice during their pregnancy, and 370 age-matched singleton pregnant controls that were not exposed to any potential teratogen. The indication in 56.

Blood levels of phosphatidylethanol in pregnant women reporting positive alcohol ingestion, measured by an improved LC-MS/MS analytical method.

Objective: A reliable biomarker of low alcohol exposure during pregnancy is needed to clarify the controversy on the teratogenicity of low-to-moderate alcohol levels.

Methods: Blood samples were obtained from 13 pregnant women who self-reported alcohol ingestion between 2.5 and 20 drinks/week, and from 26 controls.

Foetal and neonatal outcomes in first-trimester pregnant women exposed to abdominal or lumbar radiodiagnostic procedures without administration of radionucleotides.

Background/aim: Little is known about exposures to low radiation doses in the first trimester of pregnancy and deterministic adverse effects in the offspring, and risks are extrapolated from catastrophic events or from exposures to radiotherapy. The study aimed to assess the foetal and neonatal outcomes of pregnant women exposed to radiodiagnostic procedures with abdominal or lumbar irradiation.

Methods: In a prospective cohort design, we studied the foetal and neonatal outcomes in 115 singleton pregnant women who required abdominal or lumbar radiodiagnostic procedures without the administration of radionucleotides, and in 527 age-matched (± 2 years) control pregnant women.

Pregnancy outcomes and factors associated with voluntary pregnancy termination in women who had been treated for acne with isotretinoin.

Objective: We aimed to study the pregnancy outcomes of women exposed to isotretinoin and to identify the factors influencing their decision to request an abortion.

Methods: The study prospectively identified 79 women who had been treated for acne with isotretinoin during the periconceptional period, and who were followed up until completion of their pregnancy. Characteristics of exposure and doses were self-reported by participants.

Homocysteine, folate and pregnancy outcomes.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between maternal and/or cord blood folate/homocysteine concentrations and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The study population included a random sample of singleton pregnant women in whom we measured total homocysteine and folic acid in maternal or cord blood at deliveries. A total of 227 pregnant women were enrolled.

Foetal and neonatal outcomes in women reporting ingestion of low or very low alcohol intake during pregnancy.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the pregnancy outcomes of women who reported social intake of low or very low alcohol levels during pregnancy.

Methods: Obstetric and foetal outcomes were assessed in a prospective cohort of 1667 pregnant women who reported low or very low alcohol consumption during pregnancy (cases) and 1840 alcohol-abstainer women (controls).

Results: Among cases, alcohol consumption occurred during the first 4.

Pregnancy outcome after exposure to the probiotic Lactobacillus in early pregnancy.

The present study prospectively assessed pregnancy outcome of women taking probiotics during the periconceptional period. A group of 104 women who had taken Lactobacillus in early pregnancy and 200 age- and parity-matched control pregnant women exposed to non-teratogenic agents were also recruited into the study and followed-up prospectively. Median gestational age of women exposed to Lactobacillus was 5.

Ethical issues in pharmacologic research in women undergoing pregnancy termination: a systemic review and survey of researchers.

Objective. To evaluate the ethics of performing research in the field of maternal-fetal medicine involving women undergoing pregnancy termination. Methods.

Pregnancy outcome after 1st-trimester inadvertent exposure to barium sulphate as a contrast media for upper gastrointestinal tract radiography.

Despite barium being used as a contrast media for decades, the specific assessment of its safety in pregnant women is scarce. We are reporting the favourable pregnancy outcome in women who were inadvertently exposed to barium swallow and associated ionising radiation, early in pregnancy. A control group of age- and gravidity-matched unexposed pregnant women was also included.

Ondansetron dosing in pediatric gastroenteritis: a prospective cohort, dose-response study.

Background: Ondansetron is increasingly used to prevent emesis in children with acute gastroenteritis; however, the optimal dose is unknown.

Objective: To determine if higher doses of oral ondansetron are associated with greater efficacy or side effects.

Methods: We analyzed data from a prospective clinical trial performed between January 2004 and April 2005.

A prospective cohort study of pregnancy outcomes of women inadvertently exposed to methylephedrine in the 1st trimester of pregnancy.

No information is currently available on the safety of methylephedrine, a component of various cold medications available in South Korea. With previous approval by an Institutional Review Board, 349 women inadvertently exposed to methylephedrine during the 1st trimester of pregnancy and an age- and gravidity-matched control group, were enrolled in a prospective cohort study. Study outcomes, for example gestational age at birth, birth weight and major and minor malformations were evaluated in 282 cases and 280 controls.

Conventional barium enema in early pregnancy.

X-ray exposure, especially if directed to the abdominal region, is of major concern for pregnant women and their physicians. In this study, favourable long-term outcomes are reported in a series of babies born to women inadvertently exposed to barium enema, and associated ionising radiation, early in pregnancy. Six singleton babies were vaginally delivered without any evidence of gross malformations.

Quantitation of fatty acid ethyl esters in human meconium by an improved liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

This paper reports the development and validation of an improved assay for quantitation of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) in human meconium using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). FAAEs (ethyl laurate, ethyl myristate, ethyl palmitate, ethyl palmitoleate, ethyl stearate, ethyl oleate, ethyl linoleate, ethyl linolenate, and ethyl arachidonate) and the internal standard (I.S.

Obstetric and fetal outcomes in dystocic and eutocic sows to an injection of exogenous oxytocin during farrowing.

Sixty hybrid Yorkshire-Landrace penned sows, 30 with eutocic farrowing and 30 experiencing a dystocic parturition, were studied to evaluate the obstetric and neonatal outcomes to low doses of oxytocin administered at advanced stages of parturition. Animals in each group were randomly subdivided into 2 subgroups: 15 eutocic and 15 dystocic sows received oxytocin 0.083 IU/kg (equivalent to 1 IU/12 kg body weight), administered intramuscularly after the delivery of the 5th piglet; the other 15 eutocic and 15 dystocic sows received saline solution intramuscularly at the same time.

A pilot study of nalbuphine versus tramadol administered through continuous intravenous infusion for postoperative pain control in children.

Nalbuphine and tramadol are potent analgesic drugs. Our aim was to preliminarily assess and compare the efficacy and safety of nalbuphine and tramadol for postoperative analgesia in children. In a double-blind design, 24 ASA 1-3 children aged 1 to 10 years undergoing a scheduled surgical procedure were randomly allocated to receive either an intravenous bolus dose of nalbuphine 100 microg/kg immediately before the end of surgery followed by an infusion of 0.