American journal of obstetrics and gynecology
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Apr 2000
Hypertensive disorders in twin versus singleton gestations. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Network of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units.
This study was undertaken to compare rates and severity of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, as well as perinatal outcomes when these complications develop, between women with twin gestations and those with singleton gestations. ⋯ Rates for both gestational hypertension and preeclampsia are significantly higher among women with twin gestations than among those with singleton gestations. Moreover, women with twin pregnancies and hypertensive complications have higher rates of adverse neonatal outcomes than do those with singleton pregnancies.
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Mar 2000
The preterm prediction study: granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and spontaneous preterm birth. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network.
Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor is elevated in the amniotic fluid and plasma of women with chorioamnionitis and active preterm labor. We investigated the relationship between plasma granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and subsequent spontaneous preterm birth in pregnant women without symptoms. ⋯ In pregnant women without symptoms at 24 and 28 weeks' gestation, elevated plasma granulocyte colony-stimulating factor levels are associated with subsequent early (<32 weeks' gestation) spontaneous preterm birth, especially within the next 4 weeks, but not with late spontaneous preterm birth. These data provide further evidence that early spontaneous preterm birth is associated with an inflammatory process that is identifiable by the presence of a cytokine in maternal plasma several weeks before the early spontaneous preterm birth; however, later spontaneous preterm birth is not associated with this process.
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Mar 2000
Review Comparative StudyPerineal application of talc and cornstarch powders: evaluation of ovarian cancer risk.
Some epidemiologic studies have reported associations between perineal talc exposure and epithelial ovarian cancer, which raises parallel questions about the consequences of perineal exposure to cornstarch. Cornstarch powder is an alternative to talc powder that by its nature is a completely different substance. In this review of the literature the epidemiologic data on ovarian cancer risk and perineal application of both powders are reviewed, and the chemical natures of the two powders are compared. All available data indicate that whereas associations between talc exposure and ovarian cancer have suggested but not proved a casual relationship, the application of perineal powder containing cornstarch exclusively is not predicted to be a risk factor for ovarian cancer.
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Mar 2000
The Preterm Prediction Study: sequential cervical length and fetal fibronectin testing for the prediction of spontaneous preterm birth. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network.
This study was undertaken to further elucidate the pathogenesis of preterm birth by means of traditional risk factors and new markers for preterm birth derived from the Preterm Prediction Study. ⋯ Regardless of other risk factors, a short cervix predicts a subsequent positive fetal fibronectin result, and a positive fetal fibronectin result predicts subsequent cervical shortening. These data do not support a single sequence of events leading to spontaneous preterm birth.