Waveform analysis of the fetal ECG in labor in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

Aim: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is reported to be associated with an increased risk of sudden fetal death. The possible mechanism is thought to be cardiac arrhythmia. Prolonged QT interval of the electrocardiogram (ECG) is associated with arrhytmogenic events.

Opportunities for probiotics and polyunsaturated fatty acids to improve metabolic health of overweight pregnant women.

Overweight during pregnancy predisposes both the mother and foetus to health complications. Maternal complications include gestational diabetes, obstetric problems and type 2 diabetes later in life. Complications for the offspring are not only restricted to the foetal period or birth, such as prematurity and foetal macrosomia, but may also have long-term metabolic health implications through the mechanism of early nutrition programming.

Gut Microbiota Richness and Composition and Dietary Intake of Overweight Pregnant Women Are Related to Serum Zonulin Concentration, a Marker for Intestinal Permeability.

Background: Increased intestinal permeability may precede adverse metabolic conditions. The extent to which the composition of the gut microbiota and diet contribute to intestinal permeability during pregnancy is unknown.

Objective: The aim was to investigate whether the gut microbiota and diet differ according to serum zonulin concentration, a marker of intestinal permeability, in overweight pregnant women.

The effects of metformin treatment of gestational diabetes on maternal weight and glucose tolerance postpartum--a prospective follow-up study.

Introduction: Metformin seems to reduce gestational weight gain compared with insulin in women with gestational diabetes (GDM). Women with GDM requiring insulin are more likely to develop abnormal glucose tolerance postpartum than women treated with diet only. In this prospective follow-up study of a randomized clinical trial, we investigated the effect of metformin treatment in women with GDM on weight gain and glucose tolerance postpartum.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: observational study of the treatment with low-dose ursodeoxycholic acid.

Background: To exam the biochemical, obstetric management and pregnancy outcome in women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA).

Methods: Pregnancy outcome in patients with ICP (N = 307) was studied and patients treated with UDCA (N = 208) vs. no UDCA were compared.