We conducted a clinical study in order to determine the impact of cervical bacterial colonization during the third trimester of pregnancy on maternal and neonatal morbidity during the postpartum period. 1676 pregnant women were enrolled in our study. Microbiological samples were collected from the cervices of mothers, and from the gastric and ear secretions of newborns. 16.4% of preterm labor p...

Uteroglobin (UG) gene encodes a cytokine-like, multifunctional, antiinflammatory protein, with potent phospholipase A2-inhibitory activity. It has been suggested that during implantation this protein protects the embryos from maternal immunological assault, facilitates the maintenance of quiescence in the uterus throughout pregnancy, prevents the onset of premature labor, and helps maintain an ...

OBJECTIVES While early-onset neonatal GBS sepsis is positively associated with premature birth and prolonged rupture of membranes, there is debate in the literature as to whether maternal GBS colonization is a predictor of adverse obstetric outcome. This is a critical issue to resolve for appropriate management (expectant vs. interventional management) of the patient presenting with premature r...

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for preterm labor (< 37 weeks of gestation) among young pregnant women in Brazil. METHODS A national cross-sectional study was conducted among parturient women aged 15-24 years attending Brazilian public maternities in 2009. Questionnaires were administered by interviewers during parturient admission to the maternity clinic (or soon af...

Creatine kinase (EC 2.7.3.2) isoenzymes in extracts of human placenta and in serum from nonpregnant women and women in labor were separated on columns containing diethylaminoethyl-cellulose and assayed. The distribution of the isoenzymes in placenta (n = 10) was 80% BB (200 +/- 66 U/g (wet weight), 19% MM (49 +/- 30 U/g), and 1% MB (2.6 +/- 1.7 U/g); The geometric mean for the serum BB activity...

The aim of this case control study was to evaluate the thus far controversially discussed influence of acupuncture (AP) on the duration of labor. Fifty-seven women with AP treatment (group A) were included in our study after spontaneous vaginal full-term delivery. The control group included 63 women (group B). Median duration of the first stage of labor was 196 min in group A and 321 min in gro...

A study was conducted to the level of anti-inflammatory (IL-4) and pro-inflammatory (IL-1β, IL-6, IFNγ, TNFα) cytokines in 28 women with physiological pregnancy third trimester 23 incipient labor. It found that prenatal period, IL-1β IL-8 increases sharply, IL-4 decreases sharply. The levels IL-6 TNFα are also slightly elevated. Therefore, pro- parturient a physiologically proceeding is great i...

Increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 proteolytic activity is associated with term birth, preterm birth and premature rupture of membranes. However, most studies show no changes with MMP-2, which binds tightly to cell and matrix proteins. We hypothesized better protein extraction would reveal new MMP patterns. Human amnion and chorion were collected from 25 patients at preterm or term, ext...

OBJECTIVE Spontaneous labor at term involves the activation of placental corticotropin-releasing hormone and the fetal adrenal axis, but the basis for extreme preterm labor is unknown. Our objective was to determine whether placental corticotropin-releasing hormone is activated in extreme preterm labor. STUDY DESIGN One thousand five hundred six mothers delivering at less than 28 weeks' gesta...

Uterine leiomyomas are the most common solid pelvic tumor, occurring in 20% of women over age 35. Most are asymptomatic and can be followed with vaginal ultrasound to rule out ovarian neoplasms and rapid increases in fibroid size. Thus, surgery can usually be avoided. Hypermenorrhea is the major symptom in women with uterine leiomyomas who seek treatment. Other complaints include infertility an...