OBJECTIVES This article examines differences in fetal and infant mortality by maternal education in the province of Quebec, where the rates are among the lowest in Canada. DATA SOURCE The data are from linked birth and infant death records (including stillbirths) for the 1990-1991 birth cohorts in Quebec. MAIN RESULTS Fetal and infant mortality rates were greater for the offspring of mother...

The placenta is an organ that clinicians and embryologists would all agree is important for pregnancy success. Unfortunately, however, they too often ignore it when they are exploring causes for embryonic, fetal and perinatal complications. The core function of the placenta is to mediate the transport of nutrients between the maternal and fetal circulation, but it also has critical endocrine fu...

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to calculate the prospective risk of fetal death in monochorionic-diamniotic twins. STUDY DESIGN We evaluated 193 monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies that were followed and delivered after 24 weeks. Surveillance included cardiotocography and sonography performed at least once weekly. The prospective risk of fetal death was calculated as the total ...

Antenatal ultrasound scanning has facilitated the prenatal diagnosis of many fetal anomalies. The improved understanding of fetal pathophysiology, combined with increased accuracy of fetal diagnosis and knowledge of the clinical postnatal outcome, have culminated in the development of fetal treatment. This is usually considered when a potentially life threatening and/or disabling, but correctab...

Electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) involves the use of cardiotocograph (CTG) to asses fetal wellbeing during labour in order to detect intrapartum fetal hypoxia early so as to institute timely and appropriate action. Indeed, when CTG was introduced into obstetric practice in the 1960s, it was expected to prevent perinatal brain injury and reduce the incidence of short term (neonatal admissions, ...

During the recent decades with increasing the use of assisted reproductive techniques including IVF, IUI and ovulation induction, the rate of multiple pregnancies has been increased worldwide. More than 30% of ART pregnancies are twins or higher-order multiple gestations (triplets or greater) a frequency 15- to 20-fold greater than with spontaneous conceptions. Because of the high cost of treat...