Maternal cytokine profiles in second and early third trimester are not predictive of preterm birth.

Previous studies have investigated whether inflammatory cytokines in maternal circulation are associated with preterm birth. However, many have reported inconsistent results, and few have investigated cytokine trends through gestation, particularly with respect to subtypes of preterm birth. We explored levels of 15 inflammatory cytokines and growth factors in plasma and serum collected in the second (17-23 weeks, timepoint 1 (T1)) and third (28-32 weeks, timepoint 2 (T2)) trimesters with respect to subtypes of preterm birth: spontaneous preterm labour (sPTL), preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), and medically indicated preterm birth (mPTB).

Early childhood trajectories of domain-specific developmental delay and gestational age at birth: An analysis of the All Our Families cohort.

Objective: To describe developmental domain-specific trajectories from ages 1 through 5 years and to estimate the association of trajectory group membership with gestational age for children born between ≥34 and <41 weeks gestation.

Methods: Using data from the All Our Families cohort, trajectories of the domain-specific Ages & Stages Questionnaire scores were identified and described using group-based trajectory modeling for children born ≥34 and <41 weeks of gestation (n = 2664). The trajectory groups association with gestational age was estimated using multinomial logistic regression.

Second trimester cytokine profiles associated with gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Healthy pregnancy requires a coordinated immune response, yet complications can arise, putting both the mother's and child's health at risk. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are pregnancy-related complications that account for most maternal morbidity and mortality. Cytokines are proteins released as part of the immune response to disease or infection and regulate inflammation.

Quality assessment of RNA in long-term storage: The All Our Families biorepository.

Background: The All Our Families (AOF) cohort study is a longitudinal population-based study which collected biological samples from 1948 pregnant women between May 2008 and December 2010. As the quality of samples can decline over time, the objective of the current study was to assess the association between storage time and RNA (ribonucleic acid) yield and purity, and confirm the quality of these samples after 7-10 years in long-term storage.

Methods: Maternal whole blood samples were previously collected by trained phlebotomists and stored in four separate PAXgene Blood RNA Tubes (PreAnalytiX) between 2008 and 2011.

Mitigation of Participant Loss to Follow-Up Using Facebook: All Our Families Longitudinal Pregnancy Cohort.

Background: Facebook, a popular social media site, allows users to communicate and exchange information. Social media sites can also be used as databases to search for individuals, including cohort participants. Retaining and tracking cohort participants are essential for the validity and generalizability of data in longitudinal research.