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OBJECTIVE--Serial measurements of the fetal abdominal circumference have been used to guide metabolic management of pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). A reduction in the number of repeat ultrasound [...]

OBJECTIVE--Up to 30% of women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remain glucose intolerant after delivery. However, the rate of postpartum oral glucose tolerance tests (ppOGTTs) is low. Our aim [...]

OBJECTIVE--To determine the contribution of maternal glucose and lipids to intrauterine metabolic environment and fetal growth in pregnancies with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--In 150 pregnancies, serum [...]

OBJECTIVE--To investigate the growth of children from pregnancies with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and its association with antenatal maternal, fetal, and recent anthropometric parameters of mother and father. RESEARCH DESIGN [...]

OBJECTIVE--To compare the management of Caucasian women with gestational diabetes (GDM) based predominantly on monthly fetal growth ultrasound examinations with an approach based solely on maternal glycemia. RESEARCH DESIGN AND [...]

OBJECTIVE -- To determine maternal parameters with the strongest influence on fetal growth in different periods of pregnancies complicated by an abnormal glucose tolerance test (GTT). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS-- [...]

All pregnant women with a baby that is larger than normal for its gestational age should have a glucose tolerance test during a prenatal exam. If the result is abnormal, the baby has a risk of developing low blood sugar shortly after birth, according to a study of 887 babies. This occurs because excessive fetal growth is often caused by high insulin levels, which in turn is caused by hyperglycemia in the mother.

Preterm delivery and delivery of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants may be predicted by the presence in vaginal fluid of fetal fibronectin. Researchers analyzed vaginal fluid from 112 women with symptoms of preterm labor but minimally dilated cervices and intact membranes. Fetal fibronectin was found in samples of vaginal fluid from 34 patients, and correctly predicted preterm delivery before 37 weeks' gestation in 27 women (79.4%). Women with fetal fibronectin in vaginal fluid were more likely to give birth to VLBW infants. Fetal fibronectin was the only significant predictor of premature delivery and of VLBW. Three infants died among women with fetal fibronectin in vaginal fluid. Testing women with symptoms of preterm labor for the presence of fetal fibronectin may allow treatment to be targeted to those who need it most.

Byline: Janusz Bartnicki, David Casal, Usha Seshadri Kreaden, Erich Saling, Klaus Vetter Keywords: Fetal fibronectin; prematurity; very low birth weight Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of vaginal fetal fibronectin expression to risk of preterm delivery and delivery of very-low-birth-weight infants. STUDY DESIGN: Vaginal secretions were obtained from women between 22 and 35 weeks' pregnant with minimal cervical dilatation ([less than or equal to]2 cm) and threatened preterm delivery. The secretions were analyzed for the presence of fetal fibronectin. Other clinical information including cervical dimensions, uterine activity, serum C-reactive protein concentration, vaginal pH, evidence of vaginal or systemic infection, and vaginal bleeding were also obtained. RESULTS: Of the 112 patients recruited, 40 (35.7%) were delivered prematurely ( Author Affiliation: Berlin-Neukolln, Germany, and Sunnyvale, California Article History: Received 12 June 1995; Revised 14 August 1995; Accepted 31 August 1995 Article Note: (footnote) [star] From the Institute of Perinatal Medicine,a Adeza Biomedical, b and the Department of Obstetrics, Women's Hospital. c , [star][star] Reprint requests: Janusz Bartnicki, MD, Institute of Perinatal Medicine, Mariendorfer Weg 28, 1000 Berlin-Neukolln 44, Germany., a 0002-9378/96 $5.00 + 0 6/1/68969

Because of an exponential increase in childhood and adolescent obesity, its prevention has become a major health care goal (1) There is increasing evidence (2-4) that breast-feeding has a protective [...]