The advent of high-resolution transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) has revolutionized our understanding of the pathophysiology and the management of early pregnancy failure. Knowledge of the ultrasound appearances of normal early pregnancy development and a good understanding of its pitfalls are essential for the diagnosis and management of early pregnancy failure. Ultrasound imaging has rapidly repla...

BACKGROUND The aim was to evaluate the impact of early pregnancy events and complications as predictors of adverse obstetric outcome. METHODS We conducted a literature review on the impact of first trimester complications in previous and index pregnancies using Medline and Cochrane databases covering the period 1980-2008. RESULTS Clinically relevant associations of adverse outcome in the subseq...

BACKGROUND We have recently shown first trimester Macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1) and Pregnancy Associated Plasma Protein-A (PAPP-A) serum concentrations are depressed among asymptomatic women destined to miscarry. Here we examined whether plasma levels of MIC-1 and PAPP-A are depressed among women presenting to an Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAU), noted to have a confirmed viabl...

The incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) between birth and 2 years of age in South Australia was found to be 2.1/1000 live births. The incidence in previous siblings was 10 times that expected, in second degree relatives five times, and in third degree relatives four times that expected for the community. The minimum incidence in the next subsequent sibling was five times that expec...

INTRODUCTION According to the WHO, miscarriage is defined as "the loss of a pregnancy before the age of 20 weeks of gestation or fetal weight below 500 g". Only 50-60% of all conceptions fail to survive 20 weeks of gestation. It is estimated that about 75% of all unsuccessful conceptions are due to failed implantation and are not reported as spontaneous abortions. MATERIAL AND METHODS We perf...

BACKGROUND/AIM Although the safety of acupuncture per se in pregnancy is reasonably well accepted, there remains debate regarding needling at points historically considered to be 'forbidden' during pregnancy. This article reviews the scientific literature on this topic. MAIN FINDINGS There is no objective evidence of harm following needling at forbidden points, summarised by the following fou...