Objective Preterm labor is a common health problem with has very serious adverse effects and burden of cost. Early diagnosis of preterm labor may be useful for prevention of its adverse effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), ferritin, and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in amniotic fluid in the second trimester of pregnant women for predicting preter...

Urogenital infections are extremely prevalent during pregnancy and are an important cause of premature labor. However, the prevalence of urogenital infections during childbirth is not well known. Objective. Identify urogenital infections present at the beginning of labor in both full-term and preterm pregnancies. Study Design. Ninety-four women were admitted to the inpatient maternity clinic of...

Cervical ripening is necessary for successful delivery. Since cytokines are believed to be involved in this process, the aim of this study was to investigate possible changes in the mRNA and protein expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-12, IL-18) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, IL-13) in the human cervix during pregnancy, term and preterm...

Background & Aims: Preterm labor is often resulted in preterm births and increased rate of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Treatment consists of bedrest, hydration, pharmacologic interventions, and combinations of these. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of intravenous magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) and indomethacin in the treatment of preterm labor pains. Neonatal and maternal...

Spontaneous preterm labor is a complex process characterized by the interplay of multiple different pathways. Prevention of preterm labor and delivery is also complicated. The most effective interventions for prevention of preterm birth (PTB) are progestin prophylaxis and lifestyle modifications, with cerclage placement also playing a role in selected populations. Interventions such as activity...

Background: Preterm birth is a major health concern. It is the leading cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity. Besides varied etiology, it may be due to alteration in basic biochemical function of the body at cellular level stating emphasis to trace elements of which magnesium, being one of them. Pregnancy is marked by a state of hypomagnesaemia and varied hypomagnesaemia observed in preter...

Introduction : Preterm delivery is defined as delivery before 37 weeks of gestation, approximately two-thirds of infant deaths in the first year of life is involved and is still considered as one of the major health problems. Incidence of preterm delivery in different studies mentioned , this study determined the frequency of this type of delivery in women admitted to health centers of Mashhad ...

introduction preterm birth is still a major health problem throughout the world. preterm birth results in 75% of neonatal mortality. we sought to identify risk factors which cause preterm birth. materials and methods this cross-sectional study assessed all preterm neonates born in asali hospital in khorram abad (either by nvd or c/s) during the first 6 months of 2007. sampling method was census...