Prediction of the risk of cesarean delivery after labor induction in twin gestations based on clinical and ultrasound parameters.

Aims: To develop a model based on clinical and ultrasound parameters to predict the risk of cesarean delivery after labor induction in near-term twin gestations.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 189 consecutive women with twin gestations at ≥ 36.0 weeks scheduled for labor induction.

Prediction of impending preterm delivery based on sonographic cervical length and different cytokine levels in cervicovaginal fluid in preterm labor.

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine whether cervicovaginal interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 levels, and cervical length, alone or in combination, could predict impending preterm delivery in women with preterm labor and intact membranes.

Material And Methods: Cervicovaginal swab samples for IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 assays were taken from 136 consecutive women with preterm labor (23-34 weeks) before the transvaginal ultrasonography examination to measure cervical length. The primary outcome measurement was spontaneous preterm delivery within 7 days of sampling.

Predicting outcomes of emergency cerclage in women with cervical insufficiency using inflammatory markers in maternal blood and amniotic fluid.

Objective: To identify inflammatory markers in maternal blood and amniotic fluid that can predict outcomes of emergency cerclage in women with cervical insufficiency.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients at 18-24 weeks of pregnancy who underwent amniocentesis before receiving emergency cerclage for cervical insufficiency between August 2004 and August 2013 at a university teaching hospital in South Korea. Total and differential white blood cell counts were measured during amniocentesis.

Non-invasive prediction of intra-amniotic infection and/or inflammation in patients with cervical insufficiency or an asymptomatic short cervix (≤15 mm).

Purpose: To identify non-invasive parameters to predict intra-amniotic infection and/or inflammation (IAI) in patients with cervical insufficiency or an asymptomatic short cervix (≤15 mm).

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 72 asymptomatic women with cervical insufficiency (n = 54) or an asymptomatic short cervix (n = 18) at 17-28 weeks. Maternal blood was collected for the determination of the C-reactive protein (CRP) level and white blood cell (WBC) count, and sonography was performed to measure the cervical length shortly after amniocentesis.

Clinical and sonographic parameters at mid-trimester and the risk of cesarean delivery in low-risk nulliparas.

Background: To examine the potential clinical and sonographic parameters at mid-trimester that predict the risk of intrapartum cesarean delivery at term among low-risk nulliparas.

Methods: This prospective study recruited nulliparas with singleton low-risk pregnancies at 20.0-24.

Intra-amniotic infection/inflammation as a risk factor for subsequent ruptured membranes after clinically indicated amniocentesis in preterm labor.

The aim of this study was to determine whether intra-amniotic infection/inflammation (IAI) was associated with subsequent ruptured membranes in women with preterm labor and intact membranes who had a clinically indicated amniocentesis. This retrospective cohort study included 237 consecutive women with preterm labor (20-34.6 weeks) who underwent amniocentesis.

The relationship between cord blood cytokine levels and perinatal factors and retinopathy of prematurity: a gestational age-matched case-control study.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between cytokine levels in cord blood and perinatal factors and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in gestational age-matched, preterm, newborn infants.

Methods: Each of 20 premature singleton infants with ROP (gestational age < 32 weeks) was matched for gestational age, birth weight, and sex with two control infants without ROP. The concentration of 10 cytokines in cord blood extracted at birth was measured using a multiplex bead array assay.

Predictive value of combined cervicovaginal cytokines and gestational age at sampling for intra-amniotic infection in preterm premature rupture of membranes.

Objective: To determine whether interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 in cervicovaginal fluid, alone or in combination with clinical risk factors, could predict intra-amniotic infection in women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM).

Design: A prospective cohort study.

Setting: University teaching hospital.

The change in cervical length over time as a predictor of preterm delivery in asymptomatic women with twin pregnancies who have a normal mid-trimester cervical length.

Aim: To determine whether or not the change in cervical length (CL) over time is valuable in predicting spontaneous preterm delivery (SPTD) in asymptomatic twin pregnancies with a normal mid-trimester CL (>25 mm).

Methods: This was a prospective study including 190 consecutive asymptomatic twin gestations with a CL>25 mm at 20-24 weeks. The women underwent an initial CL measurement at the time of routine ultrasound examination between 20 and 24 weeks' gestation, followed 4-5 weeks later by a repeat CL measurement.

Noninvasive prediction of intra-amniotic infection and/or inflammation in women with preterm labor: various cytokines in cervicovaginal fluid.

Objective: To determine the value of cervicovaginal interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 in predicting intra-amniotic infection and/or inflammation (IAI) in women with preterm labor.

Methods: Cervicovaginal fluid samples were collected for IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 measurements immediately before amniocentesis in 85 consecutive women with preterm labor. The IAI was defined as a positive amniotic fluid (AF) culture and/or an elevated AF IL-6 level (>2.

Bishop score and cervical length at 33-35 weeks of gestation and the risk of intrapartum cesarean delivery of twins.

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the association between Bishop score and cervical length measured at 33-35 weeks of gestation and the intrapartum risk of cesarean delivery of twins.

Methods: This prospective observational study recruited women with vertex/vertex twin gestations at 33-35 weeks of gestation. Determination of the Bishop score and ultrasound measurement of the cervical length were performed.

Relationship between maternal serum C-reactive protein, funisitis and early-onset neonatal sepsis.

The aim of this study was to determine whether maternal serum C-reactive protein (CRP) is of value in predicting funisitis and early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) in women with preterm labor or preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM). This retrospective cohort study included 306 consecutive women with preterm labor or preterm PROM who delivered preterm singleton neonates (23-35 weeks gestation) within 72 hr of CRP measurement. The CRP level was measured with a highly sensitive immunoassay.

Noninvasive prediction of intra-amniotic infection and/or inflammation in preterm premature rupture of membranes.

Objective: To develop a model based on noninvasive parameters to predict the probability of intra-amniotic infection and/or inflammation (IAI) in women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROMs).

Methods: Maternal blood was collected for determination of the C-reactive protein (CRP) level and white blood cell (WBC) count immediately after amniocentesis in 171 consecutive women with PPROMs. Intra-amniotic infection and/or inflammation was defined as a positive amniotic fluid (AF) culture and/or an elevated AF interleukin 6 level (≥2.

Prediction of imminent preterm delivery in women with preterm premature rupture of membranes.

Aims: To develop a model based on non-invasive clinical parameters to predict the probability of imminent preterm delivery (delivery within 48 h) in women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), and to determine if additional invasive test results improve the prediction of imminent delivery based on the non-invasive model.

Methods: Transvaginal ultrasonographic assessment of cervical length was performed and maternal serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) count were determined immediately after amniocentesis in 102 consecutive women with PPROM at 23-33+6 weeks. Amniotic fluid (AF) obtained by amniocentesis was cultured and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and WBC counts were determined.