The evaluation of the fetal fibronectin test for prediction of preterm delivery in symptomatic patients.

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of testing for fetal fibronectin (fFN) to rule out the diagnosis of preterm labour in symptomatic patients in a Canadian setting.

Methods: This was a prospective, blinded clinical evaluation of fFN testing in women presenting with threatened preterm labour at between 24 and 34 weeks' gestation at two Canadian tertiary care centres.

Results: Of the 149 women tested, 32 had a positive fFN test.

Reduced bile flow associated with parenteral nutrition is independent of oxidant load and parenteral multivitamins.

Background: Reduction in bile flow is a characteristic of cholestasis related to parenteral nutrition. Light exposure of parenteral multivitamin preparations is the major source of peroxides contaminating parenteral nutrition solutions. They may contribute to local oxidative stress.

Photooxidation of parenteral multivitamins induces hepatic steatosis in a neonatal guinea pig model of intravenous nutrition.

Photooxidation of multivitamin solutions results in the generation of peroxides. Because peroxides are associated with hepatic steatosis and fibrosis as well as cholestasis, we questioned whether multivitamins are implicated in hepatic complications of parenteral nutrition. Guinea pig pups were assigned to groups receiving intravenously either total parenteral nutrition, photo-protected or not, or a control solution (5% dextrose + 0.

An evaluation of three glucose meter systems and their performance in relation to criteria of acceptability for neonatal specimens.

Background: Prior to making a selection for our hospital, a pediatric institution, we deemed it necessary to evaluate, concurrently, three recently available glucose meter systems, claimed to be suitable for use with neonatal samples.

Methods: Comparisons were with laboratory plasma analyses. Linearity and precision were also determined.