OBJECTIVE To estimate the difference between levels of the two biochemical markers pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and maternal serum free β-human chorionic gonadotropin (free β-hCG) in twin pregnancies relative to singleton pregnancies and establish an improved screening procedure for chromosomal abnormalities such as trisomy 21 in twin pregnancies. METHODS 4843 unaffected and...

To cite: Maçães A, Fernandes S, Rodrigues C, et al. BMJ Case Rep Published online: [please include Day Month Year] doi:10.1136/bcr-2015212563 DESCRIPTION A 38-year-old woman, 7 weeks and 4 days pregnant as assessed by her last menstrual period, presented to our emergency department with non-painful vaginal bleeding for 2 days. She was a gravida 2, para 1 with a history of caesarean section 12 y...

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of the first trimester screening for Down syndrome (DS) in an unselected low-risk Finnish population. The study involved 4,617 women who attended screening between the 8th and 14th weeks of pregnancy in 1998-2000. They gave a blood sample for the measurement of pregnancy associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and free beta human chorionic ...

OBJECTIVE Firstly, to establish a reference range of birth weight with gestation at delivery; secondly, to identify maternal characteristics that are significantly associated with birth weight; and thirdly, to determine if combinations of maternal characteristics, fetal nuchal translucency thickness (NT), and serum concentrations of free beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (β-hCG) and pregnancy-...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess whether the cessation of progesterone (P) supplementation during early pregnancy after GnRH antagonist cycles is not inferior to its continuation in terms of pregnancy rates beyond 12 weeks of gestation METHODS There were 200 patients, with a positive β-hCG test (followed by a doubling in β-hCG levels 48 h later) after a fixed recombinant FSH (re...

BACKGROUND Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is one of the most dangerous complications of pregnancy and without prompt diagnosis and treatment, it could become a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVES In this randomized controlled study, we compared single and double dose of methotrexate (MTX) therapy in the treatment of ectopic pregnancy. PATIENTS AND METHODS This study was perf...

This study investigated the risk factors and early predictors for heterotopic pregnancy (HP) after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). From January 2008 to January 2013, 41 cases of HP and 72 cases of intrauterine twin pregnancy after IVF-ET were recruited and retrospectively analyzed. Compared with intrauterine twin pregnancy group, the HP group had a lower basal luteinizing h...

OBJECTIVE To discuss the effect of puerarin on human choriocarcinoma cells. METHODS Survival rates under puerarin monotherapy, fluorouracil (5-FU) monotherapy and puerarin in combination with 5-FU were detected by MTT assay. Apoptotic morphology was observed with Hoechst 33258 staining. Apoptosis rates were detected with flow cytometry. Expressions of AKT, mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTO...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the predictive factors associated with the success of medical abortion by misoprostol monotherapy within 24 hours in the first trimester of pregnancy. METHODS The records of 228 women with miscarriage up to 11 weeks of gestational age who underwent medical abortion by intravaginal misoprostol monotherapy were reviewed. Success of abortion was defined as complete expulsio...