Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Risk Of Early & Late Obstetric Complications In Women With Ivf- Conceived Pregnancies And Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Pcos), N. A. Bagegni, J. Blaine, Bradley J. Van Voorhis, Anuja Dokras

Bradley J Van Voorhis

There is conflicting evidence on the association between PCOS and early and late obstetric complications. It is unclear if the reported risks are independent of BMI, preexisting hypertension and diabetes. We performed a retrospective chart review to examine the risk of early and late obstetrical complications after IVF in women with PCOS (n=130) compared to controls (n=130). The miscarriage rate was 17.7% in PCOS women and 15.4% in controls. PCOS was not associated with miscarriage independent of age and BMI. The prevalence of gestational DM (GDM) was similar in both groups (12% PCOS versus 11% controls). BMI was independently associated …

Defining Normal Igg Changes Throughout Pregnancy, Jena Taylor, Jona Conklin, Stephen K. Hunter, Ryan Empey, Eric M. Tyler, Ashley Christensen, Katelyn M. Talcott, Zuhair K. Ballas, Donna A. Santillan, Mark K. Santillan

Stephen K. Hunter

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is the major serum immunoglobulin, accounting for roughly 75% of all immunoglobulin. IgG is the only class of immunoglobulin that crosses the placenta and it serves as the main immunologic barrier between the fetus and external environments. There has not been a clear consensus on what the normal values of IgG are throughout pregnancy. The aim of this study is to measure serum immunoglobulin G in each trimester of the pregnant female to determine a normal IgG profile throughout all trimesters in normal pregnancy.

Preeclampsia And Micrornas, Eric J. Devor, Donna A. Santillan, Mark K. Santillan

Donna A. Santillan

Preeclampsia is a critical gestational condition that threatens the life of both mother and child. One of the most serious aspects of preeclampsia hampering both clinical management and scientific understanding is that there are, as yet, no early warning signs or risk markers. The discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs), tiny post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression, offers potentially fertile ground for developing such markers. The current state of knowledge about miRNAs in preeclampsia is presented along with information regarding miRNA detection in peripheral fluids that could lead to minimally invasive risk assessment.

The Influence Of Fetal Sex On Patterns Of Change In Anti-Mullerian Hormone During Pregnancy, Ryan Empey, Donna A. Santillan, Mark Santillan, Eric M. Tyler, Stephen K. Hunter, Elaine M. Smith, Barbara J. Stegmann

Donna A. Santillan

Maternal anti-mullerian hormone declines sharply between 13-15 weeks, likely as a result of feto-placental signaling. Fetal AMH levels are known to be widely disparate after the first trimester, with high levels in male and absent levels in female. However, it is unclear as to whether differing fetal AMH levels influence the pattern of change of maternal AMH. Our objective was to examine AMH throughout gestation to determine if the maternal concentration varies according to the gender of the fetus.

Anti-Müllerian Hormone Concentration Levels In Maternal Plasma During The First, Second And Third Trimester Of Pregnancy, Kelin Schultz, Barbara Stegmann, Mark Santillan, Donna Santillan, Elaine Smith, Bradley J. Van Voorhis

Donna A. Santillan

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) drops rapidly in pregnancy but Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) has not been shown to drop until about 12 weeks. Since the follicles that secrete AMH are thought to be FSH independent, AMH levels should slowly decline in the absence of FSH because when the follicles reach FSH dependence, they would die off. A study has presented data that suggests a decline in AMH levels suddenly starts at 12 weeks gestation. The present study agrees with a decline in AMH after the first trimester. There is a sharp decline in AMH at 12-16 weeks gestation indicating that the follicular …

Preeclampsia And Micrornas, Eric J. Devor, Donna A. Santillan, Mark K. Santillan

Mark K. Santillan

Preeclampsia is a critical gestational condition that threatens the life of both mother and child. One of the most serious aspects of preeclampsia hampering both clinical management and scientific understanding is that there are, as yet, no early warning signs or risk markers. The discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs), tiny post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression, offers potentially fertile ground for developing such markers. The current state of knowledge about miRNAs in preeclampsia is presented along with information regarding miRNA detection in peripheral fluids that could lead to minimally invasive risk assessment.

The Effects Of Preeclampsia On Signaling To Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells, Donna A. Santillan, Wendy S. Hamilton, Ashley Christensen, Katelyn M. Talcott, Lindsay K. Gravatt, Mark K. Santillan, Stephen K. Hunter

Mark K. Santillan

Background: The role of the microenvironment is important in cell differentiation. The effect of placental disease on the growth and differentiation and hematopoietic stem cells has not been well-studied.

Methods: Enzyme linked immunoassay was used to measure erythropoietin and osteopontin in plasma from umbilical cord blood of children born to normotensive and preeclamptic women. Additionally, CD34+ cells were isolated from umbilical cord blood and grown in complete methylcellulose media. Colony types were identified and enumerated.

Results: Differences in the concentration of erythropoietin in the cord blood between the controls and the preeclamptics approached significance (P = 0.067) using a Mann-Whitney …

What Influences Australian Women To Not Drink During Pregnancy?, Sandra C. Jones, Joanne Telenta

Sandra Jones

There is a strong social norm against consuming alcohol during pregnancy. However, many women do not realise they are pregnant until the sixth week and are not provided with information about the risks of consuming alcohol until they visit a health professional in the second trimester. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 midwives and 12 pregnant women from two regions inNSWin 2008–09 to explore attitudes towards alcohol consumption during pregnancy, and the factors that may encourage or inhibit women from following the recommendation to abstain from drinking while pregnant. Both groups noted the social issues around pregnant women consuming alcohol …

Risk Of Early & Late Obstetric Complications In Women With Ivf- Conceived Pregnancies And Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Pcos), N. A. Bagegni, J. Blaine, Bradley J. Van Voorhis, Anuja Dokras

Bradley J Van Voorhis

There is conflicting evidence on the association between PCOS and early and late obstetric complications. It is unclear if the reported risks are independent of BMI, preexisting hypertension and diabetes. We performed a retrospective chart review to examine the risk of early and late obstetrical complications after IVF in women with PCOS (n=130) compared to controls (n=130). The miscarriage rate was 17.7% in PCOS women and 15.4% in controls. PCOS was not associated with miscarriage independent of age and BMI. The prevalence of gestational DM (GDM) was similar in both groups (12% PCOS versus 11% controls). BMI was independently associated …

Placenta Pathology Evaluation: Are Cap Guidelines Useful? A Preliminary Analysis, Jennifer C. Steines, Adebukola M. Ogundoyin, Colleen K. Stockdale

Colleen Kennedy Stockdale

The College of American Pathologists (CAP) established a revised set of recommendations for placental evaluation in 1997. In review of the literature and anecdotally, there is discrepancy regarding placental submission to pathology. We evaluated adherence to CAP guidelines for placental pathology and clinical utility of the results.

The Effects Of Preeclampsia On Signaling To Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells, Donna A. Santillan, Wendy S. Hamilton, Ashley Christensen, Katelyn M. Talcott, Lindsay K. Gravatt, Mark K. Santillan, Stephen K. Hunter

Stephen K. Hunter

Background: The role of the microenvironment is important in cell differentiation. The effect of placental disease on the growth and differentiation and hematopoietic stem cells has not been well-studied.

Methods: Enzyme linked immunoassay was used to measure erythropoietin and osteopontin in plasma from umbilical cord blood of children born to normotensive and preeclamptic women. Additionally, CD34+ cells were isolated from umbilical cord blood and grown in complete methylcellulose media. Colony types were identified and enumerated.

Results: Differences in the concentration of erythropoietin in the cord blood between the controls and the preeclamptics approached significance (P = 0.067) using a Mann-Whitney …

The Influence Of Fetal Sex On Patterns Of Change In Anti-Mullerian Hormone During Pregnancy, Ryan Empey, Donna A. Santillan, Mark Santillan, Eric M. Tyler, Stephen K. Hunter, Elaine M. Smith, Barbara J. Stegmann

Stephen K. Hunter

Maternal anti-mullerian hormone declines sharply between 13-15 weeks, likely as a result of feto-placental signaling. Fetal AMH levels are known to be widely disparate after the first trimester, with high levels in male and absent levels in female. However, it is unclear as to whether differing fetal AMH levels influence the pattern of change of maternal AMH. Our objective was to examine AMH throughout gestation to determine if the maternal concentration varies according to the gender of the fetus.

Preeclampsia And Micrornas, Eric J. Devor, Donna A. Santillan, Mark K. Santillan

Eric J Devor

Preeclampsia is a critical gestational condition that threatens the life of both mother and child. One of the most serious aspects of preeclampsia hampering both clinical management and scientific understanding is that there are, as yet, no early warning signs or risk markers. The discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs), tiny post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression, offers potentially fertile ground for developing such markers. The current state of knowledge about miRNAs in preeclampsia is presented along with information regarding miRNA detection in peripheral fluids that could lead to minimally invasive risk assessment.

Poor Knowledge And Practices Related To Iodine Nutrition During Pregnancy And Lactation In Australian Women: Pre-And Post-Iodine Fortification, Karen Charlton, Heather Yeatman, Catherine Lucas, Samantha Axford, Luke Gemming, Fiona Houweling, Alison Goodfellow, Gary Ma

Karen E. Charlton

A before-after review was undertaken to assess whether knowledge and practices related to iodine nutrition, supplementation and fortification has improved in Australian women since the introduction of mandatory iodine fortification in 2009. Surveys of pregnant (n = 139) and non-pregnant (n = 75) women in 2007-2008 are compared with surveys of pregnant (n = 147) and lactating women (n = 60) one to two years post-fortification in a regional area of New South Wales, Australia. A self-administered questionnaire was completed and dietary intake of iodine was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. A generally poor knowledge about the role …

Calcium And Vitamin D For The Reproductive Female, Rachel A. Maassen

Rachel A Maassen

The importance of calcium as well as its interdependence upon vitamin D is well established. Vitamin D acts via the vitamin D receptor, which is found in 37 different human tissues. Because of its rather ubiquitous localization, vitamin D is the topic of a great deal of associative research. However, caution must be exercised in interpreting these initial studies until clear evidence for causality becomes available. The purpose of this article is to review some of the known vitamin D and calcium associations as well as the current guidelines for calcium and vitamin D supplementation.

Placenta Pathology Evaluation: Are Cap Guidelines Useful? A Preliminary Analysis, Jennifer C. Steines, Adebukola M. Ogundoyin, Colleen K. Stockdale

Jennifer C. Steines Wagemester

The College of American Pathologists (CAP) established a revised set of recommendations for placental evaluation in 1997. In review of the literature and anecdotally, there is discrepancy regarding placental submission to pathology. We evaluated adherence to CAP guidelines for placental pathology and clinical utility of the results.

"Caught Between A Rock And A Hard Place: Obesity And Delivery Decisions", Mark Santillan

Mark K. Santillan

The incidence of obesity has achieved epidemic proportions. The increase in the proportion of women gaining more than 40 pounds during pregnancy and the related increased perinatal morbidity demonstrates how obesity has affected the reproductive outcomes for women. Individualized counseling and preparation for the needs of an obese woman in labor are at the cornerstone of managing obese women in labor and delivery.

Anti-Müllerian Hormone Concentration Levels In Maternal Plasma During The First, Second And Third Trimester Of Pregnancy, Kelin Schultz, Barbara Stegmann, Mark Santillan, Donna Santillan, Elaine Smith, Bradley J. Van Voorhis

Mark K. Santillan

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) drops rapidly in pregnancy but Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) has not been shown to drop until about 12 weeks. Since the follicles that secrete AMH are thought to be FSH independent, AMH levels should slowly decline in the absence of FSH because when the follicles reach FSH dependence, they would die off. A study has presented data that suggests a decline in AMH levels suddenly starts at 12 weeks gestation. The present study agrees with a decline in AMH after the first trimester. There is a sharp decline in AMH at 12-16 weeks gestation indicating that the follicular …

Initial Multicenter Experience With Double Nucleoside Therapy For Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection During Pregnancy, Neal S. Silverman, D. Heather Watts, Joseph Hitti, D. M. Money, E. Livingston, J. Axelrod, J. M. Ernest, Douglas Robbins, M. M. Divito

Neal Silverman

OBJECTIVE: To study maternal and neonatal effects of combination nucleoside analog therapy administered to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected pregnant women for maternal indications. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective observational study was undertaken at six perinatal centers in the United States and Canada that supported regional referral programs for the treatment of HIV-infected pregnant women. Demographic, laboratory, and pregnancy outcome data were collected for 39 women whose antiretroviral treatment regimens were expanded to include more than one nucleoside analog for maternal indications. The 40 newborns were monitored at pediatric referral centers through at least three months of age to ascertain their HIV …