OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the protein glycosylation pattern and AXIN1 protein expression in human placentae of normal pregnancies and compare them with placentae of pregnancies complicated with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). METHODS A total of 38 placentae (17 placentae of IUGR fetuses from singleton pregnancies and gestational age-matched 21 control placenta...

BACKGROUND The introduction of ovulation-inducing drugs has raised concern that women exposed to these therapies may be at increased risk of cancer. We assessed the potential association between exposure to fertility drugs and the risk of developing persistent trophoblastic tumour (PTT). METHODS We conducted a systematic review of the English and non-English language literature using the Nati...

OBJECTIVES Aims of this study were to compare the perinatal mortality rate and the prospective risk of stillbirth for each given gestational age and to ascertain whether it is safe to continue the pregnancy beyond 40 weeks of gestational age and induce labour at 41 weeks in low risk singleton pregnancies. METHODS This was a retrospective study. The perinatal mortality and prospective risk wer...

BACKGROUND Being devoid of both nuclei and mitochondria, mature human erythrocytes provide an opportunity to study membrane structure and function outwith the restrictions of genetic control. With its unique rapid increase in vascularisation, pregnancy is considered the most opportune period in which to investigate blood rheology. METHODS Maternal and fetal (cord) bloods were retained at deli...

Twin pregnancies demonstrate a 2–3-fold higher chance of developing PE compared to singletons, and recent evidence has demonstrated that the sFLT1/PIGF ratio is strongly associated with PE, adverse pregnancy outcomes, as well imminent deliveries due complications. The primary objective this systematic review was summarise available data on levels sFLT1, PlGF their ratios in twin investigate ass...