The effect of a prolonged time interval between antenatal corticosteroid administration and delivery on outcomes in preterm neonates: a cohort study.

Objective: This study was undertaken to determine whether the neonatal benefit of a single complete course of antenatal corticosteroids diminishes when delivery is remote from administration (> 14 days).

Study Design: This retrospective 2 center cohort trial included women who received a single complete course of antenatal corticosteroids and delivered a viable singleton infant between 26 and 34 weeks of gestation. Patients were divided into 1 of 2 groups on the basis of the interval from first corticosteroid dose to delivery (2-14 days and > 14 days).

Spontaneous resolution of an in utero perirenal urinoma associated with posterior urethral valves.

Ultrasound imaging of a 26-week-gestation fetus demonstrated a large, nonemptying bladder. At 27 weeks, a distended, thick-walled bladder, left hydronephrosis, and a perirenal urinoma were present, without ascites. Observation was undertaken, as the amniotic fluid volume was normal.

Is tocolysis safe in the management of third-trimester bleeding?

Objective: Expectant management is among the current treatment options for pregnancies complicated by third-trimester bleeding at <36 weeks' gestation. The use of tocolytic agents to stop associated contractions is still somewhat controversial, however, and the number of cases reported to date is small. The purpose of our study was to find a large number of cases of preterm third-trimester bleeding that was treated with tocolytic agents and evaluate them for any evidence of potential harm related to the use of these agents.

Prenatal genotyping of the Duffy blood group system by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction.

Maternal allo-immunization to antigens of the Duffy blood group system can result in haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN), therefore, the application of allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (ASPCR) for prenatal genotyping of the Duffy antigen system to identify pregnancies at risk for HDN was evaluated. Oligonucleotide primers were designed for ASPCR of FYA, FYB and nullFY alleles. A validation study was performed using DNA isolated from 94 serotyped whole blood samples and 8 amniocentesis samples.

Prenatal genotyping of Jk(a) and Jk(b) of the human Kidd blood group system by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction.

An allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (ASPCR) assay for prenatal genotyping of the Kidd antigen system in order to identify pregnancies at risk for haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) was developed. Oligonucleotide primers were designed for ASPCR of JKA and JKB. A validation study was performed using DNA isolated from 54 serotyped whole blood samples and 8 amniocentesis samples.