Complement protein C1q, the recognition molecule of the classical pathway, performs a diverse range of complement and non-complement functions. It can bind various ligands derived from self, non-self, and altered self and modulate the functions of immune and non-immune cells including dendritic cells and microglia. C1q involvement in the clearance of apoptotic cells and subsequent B cell tolera...

A 29-year-old G3P1A1 presented at 8 weeks of gestation with the complaints of severe, generalized pain in the abdomen. She had taken misoprostol (400 mcg) orally as the priming agent for suction evacuation for a missed miscarriage diagnosis. She had a cesarean section 1 years ago. On examination, there was pallor with blood pressure 54/40 mm, pulse 130/min, and cold clammy extremities. The abdo...

The coexistence of intrauterine and ectopic pregnancy (heterotopic pregnancy) occurs in 1/30,000 of spontaneous pregnancies, 1/900 in Clomiphene citrate induced pregnancies and rises to 1% in assisted reproduction. It is a life-threatening condition with diagnostic and therapeutic complexities. There is strong association between infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Risk factors for ectopic pregn...

Threatened miscarriage is the most common gynecological emergency, occurring in about 20% of pregnant women. Approximately one in four of these patients go on to have spontaneous miscarriage and the etiology of miscarriage still remains elusive. In a bid to identify possible biomarkers and novel treatment targets, many studies have been undertaken to elucidate the pathways that lead to a miscar...

BACKGROUND Miscarriage, the unexpected loss of pregnancy before 20 weeks gestation, may have a negative effect on a mother's perception of herself as a capable woman and on her emotional health when she is pregnant again subsequent to the miscarriage. As such, a mother with a history of miscarriage may be at greater risk for difficulties navigating the process of becoming a mother and achieving...

Despite research documenting high rates of violence during pregnancy, few studies have examined the impact of physical abuse, psychological abuse, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on miscarriage. Secondary analysis of data collected by the Chicago Women's Health Risk Study permitted an exploration of the relationships among physical abuse, psychological abuse, PTSD, and miscarriage amon...

To determine the role of Chlamydia trachomatis in miscarriage, we prospectively collected serum, cervicovaginal swab specimens, and placental samples from 386 women with and without miscarriage. Prevalence of immunoglobulin G against C. trachomatis was higher in the miscarriage group than in the control group (15.2% vs. 7.3%; p = 0.018). Association between C. trachomatis-positive serologic res...

BACKGROUND Misoprostol is a synthetic prostaglandin E1 that induces cervical effacement and uterine contractions at all gestational ages, thus facilitating uterine evacuation and pregnancy termination. Successful medical evacuation of spontaneous miscarriage with minimal adverse effects can be performed using misoprostol-only regimen if given as indicated and if the administered dose, frequency...