This prospective longitudinal study aimed at comparing maternal immune response among naturally conceived (NC; n = 25), in vitro fertilization (IVF; n = 25), and egg donation (ED; n = 25) pregnancies. The main outcome measures were, firstly, to follow up plasma levels of interleukin (IL) 1 beta, IL2, IL4, IL5, IL6, IL8, IL10, IL17, interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), transform...

BACKGROUND Conflicting results have been documented regarding the statistical significance of variations in some haematological parameters at different trimesters of pregnancy. Environmental factors, ethnic and tribal peculiarities have variously been implicated. The values of eight important haematological parameters: Haematocrit (Hct), Haemoglobin concentration (Hbc), Red Blood Cell (RBC) cou...

Uterine rupture often occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy or during labor. Its occurrence in early pregnancy and in the absence of any predisposing factors is very rare. Untimely diagnosis and a low index of suspicion could be life-threatening. Here we report the case of a 29-year-old woman with a history of two previous cesarean sections. An ultrasound report revealed a dead fetus in th...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the factors associated with HIV1 RNA plasma viral load (pVL) below 40 copies/mL at the third trimester of pregnancy, as part of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) in Benin. DESIGN Sub study of the PACOME clinical trial of malaria prophylaxis in HIV-infected pregnant women, conducted before and after the implementation of the WHO 2009 revised guidelines...

BACKGROUND Earlier studies demonstrated that alcoholism significantly alters electrolyte and trace element homeostasis. However, the existing data on the interplay between maternal alcohol consumption and fetal trace element status are contradictory. Therefore, the primary objective of the present study was to assess the influence of alcohol consumption on maternal and cord blood trace elements...

CONTEXT Assessment of the fetal safety of vaccination against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in pregnancy has been limited. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether exposure to an adjuvanted influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccine during pregnancy was associated with increased risk of adverse fetal outcomes. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Registry-based cohort study based on all liveborn singleton infants in Den...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Vitamin D deficiency is very common in pregnant women. Deficiencies have been prevalent even in studies where over 90% of the women took prenatal vitamins. The current guidelines for vitamin D intake during pregnancy of 200-400 IU has little scientific support and has been recently challenged. We conducted this study to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency ...

BACKGROUND The human placenta is a rapidly developing organ that undergoes structural and functional changes throughout the pregnancy. Our objectives were to investigate the differences in global gene expression profile, the expression of imprinted genes and the effect of smoking in first and third trimester normal human placentas. MATERIALS AND METHODS Placental samples were collected from 2...