A common mutation in the factor V gene, the Leiden mutation, is the most frequent genetic cause of resistance to activated protein C (APC). Recent studies have shown that the prevalence of APC resistance is associated with severe pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). Our objective was to determine whether the factor V Leiden mutation is more prevalent in patients who developed severe PIH than i...

OBJECTIVE To examine changes in health status among women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). METHODS We examined perceived health status changes from the prepregnancy, as recalled at 12-20 weeks gestation, to the postpartum period in women with GDM (n = 64) vs. unaffected gravidas (n = 1233) and women diagnosed with PIH (n = 148) vs. unaffected ...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relationships across a range of glucose and insulin measures at 12 weeks of gestation with the development of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and birth size. MATERIALS AND METHODS Prospective study of pregnant women booking before 15th week of gestation. At the first antenatal visit, standard measures of height, weight, blood...

OBJECTIVE To determine the roll-over test (ROT) performance in predicting pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) in primigravidae aged 15-29 years in a public primary care service. METHOD Prospective cohort study enrolling 369 consecutive and initially normotensive primigravidae. The ROT was applied within 28-32 weeks of pregnancy. PIH was defined as diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 90 mm Hg or s...

BACKGROUND Globally, about 350.000 women die every year from pregnancy related causes and more than half of these deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Approximately 12% of the maternal deaths are associated with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy such as pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). However, very little is known about PIH and associated determinants in many SSA countries such as ...

The accumulation of iron (Fe) in the liver is a serious complication of thalassemia and other ironloading anemias requiring long-term blood transfusions. Such patients are directed to suffer death unless they are treated with Fe chelating agents. Desferrioxamine (DFO), deferiprone (L1) and desferasirox (ICL-670) are clinically approved iron chelators used to treat secondary iron overload, but t...

BACKGROUND Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are important causes of morbidity and mortality. The levels of calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) in pregnancy may implicate their possible role in pregnancy-induced hypertension. This study assessed serum Ca2+ and Mg2+ levels in women with PIH (pregnancy-induced hypertension) and PE (pre-eclampsia), compared to that in normal pregnancy. METHODS...

Placental development requires extensive angiogenesis and the invasion of the maternal decidua by the trophoblasts. Adequate and organized interaction of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), placenta growth factors (PlGF), and their receptors are essential for a normal development and function of the placenta. In this study, we evaluated the expressions of PlGFs and their receptors, mRNA...

Hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy are common and form great triad along with hemorrhage and infection. They are one of the important causes resulting in maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Metabolic syndrome is a combination of medical disorders that, when occurs together, it increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In order to know the risk of d...

OBJECTIVE We longitudinally examined the changes of brachial to ankle distensibility using pulse wave velocity (PWV) throughout pregnancy and its difference between normal pregnancy and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) groups. STUDY DESIGN One hundred and eighty-three pregnant women were included in this study. The PWV examinations were performed in a longitudinal way during the first, se...