Emergence of late-onset placental dysfunction: relationship to the change in uterine artery blood flow resistance between the first and third trimesters.

Objectives: To test if emergence of third-trimester (T3) placental dysfunction is related to the impedance change in uterine artery blood flow resistance between the first trimester (T1) and T3.

Study Design: Mean T1 and T3 uterine artery (mUtA) pulsatility index (PI) was measured in 1098 singletons. Each patient's individual mUtA-PI change was calculated ([(T3 PI - T1 PI/interval in days)] × 100; ΔmUtA-PI).

Isolated low-normal amniotic fluid volume in the early third trimester: association with adverse perinatal outcomes.

Aims: To test if an isolated finding of low-normal amniotic fluid index (AFI) in the early third trimester in low-risk patients is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies that had ultrasound studies between 28.0 and 31.

Serum pentraxin-3 levels at 11 to 14 weeks' gestation: association with maternal and placental characteristics.

Objective: Pentraxin (PTX)-3 is an inflammatory molecule that may be increased in the first trimester in pregnancies with subsequent preeclampsia. We measured first-trimester serum PTX-3 and correlated levels with maternal/placental factors related to placental development.

Study Design: Prospectively enrolled women had ultrasound, physical examination, and blood draw at 11-14 weeks.

First-trimester angiopoietin-2: relationships with maternal and placental characteristics.

Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), synthesized by endothelial cells, is a marker of placental vascular remodeling. Ang-2 is expressed in the first trimester, and levels may therefore correlate to other parameters of placental vascular development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between Ang-2 and other maternal/placental factors in the first trimester.