Preterm birth is defined as birth before the completion of 37 weeks of gestation. The frequency of preterm birth in the United States increased from 10.7% in 1992 to 12.3% in 2003. 1 Preterm births can be categorized as those undertaken because of a specific indication or as spontaneous preterm births. Indicated preterm births occur when a health care provider delivers a baby because of medical...

As part of a cohort study of the effects of chronic exposure to lead on pregnancy outcome and child development, lead concentrations in the umbilical cord and placental tissues (body and membranes) from 9 late fetal deaths, 23 preterm births, and 18 births associated with premature rupture of the amniotic membranes were compared with the lead concentrations in the tissues obtained at 22 normal ...

Black lipid membranes (BLM) less than 90 A thick have been shown to be the most realistic approach to biological membrane models. This paper describes the formation characteristics, optical properties, and thermodynamics of BLM at water/oil/water bifaces. In particular, the nature of the Plateau-Gibbs border which supports the black membrane is analyzed in some detail. The formation of BLM at t...

BACKGROUND In this study, we aimed to investigate the expression of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) and caspase-1 in fetal membrane and placental tissues of patients with premature rupture of membrane (PROM), and to explore their role in PROM. MATERIAL AND METHODS Ninety women participated in this study: a control group of 30 healthy pregnant women, 30 with PPROM, and 30 with TPROM. Immunoh...

Objectives: To study cervical colonization in women with premature rupture of membranes and the influence of infection on preterm newborns. Methods: Prospective analysis. Results: 167 (38.66%) from 432 preterm deliveries were complicated with premature prelabour rupture of the membranes (PPROM). Organisms which induce chorioamnionitis and newborns infections mostly belong to group B streptococc...

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible association between Lewis phenotype status in pregnant women and preterm labor (PTL) or preterm rupture of the membranes (PROM). METHODS Red blood cell (RBC) Lewis phenotype was determined in 113 pregnant women admitted for PTL or PROM and in 121 controls. The results were controlled for the influence of race on Lewis phenotype....

background: uterine rupture at the site of a previous cesarean scar is an uncommon but catastrophic complication of pregnancy, which is associated with significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. case presentation: a 30-year old woman at 24th week of gestation and complaint of pain, contractions and spotting was admitted in royan institute in tehran, iran. she had a past medical his...