Prevelance of Pregnancy Complications among Women Aged 15 - 49 in Oğuzeli, Turkey

As maternal deaths have decreased worldwide, increasing attention has been placed on the study of severe obstetric complications, such as hemorrhage, eclampsia, and obstructed labor, to identify where improvements can be made in maternal health. The objective of this study was to determine pregnancy complications and prenatal care among women aged 15 - 49 in Oğuzeli, Turkey, and to provide data for prevention in the field. This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted between February and May 2013 in Oğuzeli distinct, Turkey. The total women registered to family doctors in Oğuzeli was listed and, 470 women were selected using a stratified and simple random sampling technique. Pregnancy complications were asked for the last pregnancy of each women. Of the women, 23.9% (n = 109) declared that they experienced pregnancy complications during their pregnancies. The most frequent problems were anemia (11.1%) hypertension (3.7%) and diabetes mellitus (2.4%) respectively. Women having chronic diseases before their pregnancy were more likely to have pregnancy complications compared to healthy women (p = 0.005). The mean number of prenatal care among women having pregnancy complications was 5.47 ± 3.57, while it was 3.84 ± 3.00 among healthy women (p = 0.000). Women having chronic diseases should be handled carefully and, pregnancy should be delayed until the chronic disease’s remission. Family planning in primary care is the key measure to archive this. Early diagnosis of hypertension among young women is highly important for the women’s and infants’s health during pregnancy, and for the women’s future heath. During prenatal care, women should be trained about correct eating habits and activity.

Pregnancy complications effect on the nickel content in maternal blood,placenta blood and umbilical cord blood during pregnancy

BACKGROUND Nickel(Ni)may accumulate in the human body and has biological toxicity and carcinogenicity.Ni has an extensive impact on the health of pregnant women and fetuses during gestation.AIM To evaluate Ni exposure in pregnant women in Kunming,Yunnan Province,China;to describe the distribution of Ni in the maternal-fetal system and placental barrier function;and to investigate the effect of Ni exposure on fetal health in mothers with pregnancy complications.METHODS Seventy-two pregnant women were selected using a case-control design.The women were divided into two groups:The control group(no disease;n=29)and the disease group[gestational diabetes(GDM),hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy(HDCP),or both;n=43].The pregnant women in the disease group were further divided as follows:14 cases with GDM(GDM group),13 cases with HDCP(HDCP group)and 16 cases with both GDM and HDCP(disease combination group).Basic information on the pregnant women was collected by questionnaire survey.Maternal blood,placenta blood and cord blood were collected immediately after delivery.The Ni content in paired samples was determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.RESULTS Compared to the control group,age was higher and body mass index was greater in pregnant women in the disease groups(28.14±2.54 vs 28.42±13.89,P<0.05;25.90±3.86 vs 31.49±5.30,P<0.05).The birth weights of newborns in the HDCP group and the control group were significantly different(2.52±0.74 vs 3.18±0.41,P<0.05).The content of Ni in umbilical cord blood in the entire disease group was higher than that in the control group(0.10±0.16 vs 0.05±0.07,P<0.05).CONCLUSION In the maternal-fetal system of women with pregnancy complications,the barrier effect of the placenta against Ni is weakened,thus affecting healthy growth of the fetus in the uterus.

Simplified lung ultrasound method to predict the respiratory support needs of neonates whose mothers had pregnancy complications: a diagnostic accuracy study

Objective:Some pregnancy complications are associated with respiratory problems in infants.Early identification and implementation of respiratory support are needed for these infants.This study aimed to(1)use lung ultrasound(LU)for predicting the respiratory support requirements of infants and(2)simplify the examination method to facilitate its clinical application.Methods:Neonates underwent LU examinations within 1 hour of birth.The infants were divided into a pregnancy complication(PC)group and a control group according to their mothers'clinical data.The primary outcome measure was the need for respiratory support.Predictive models were established based on the differences in LU patterns between the two groups.The predictive value of the models was compared with that of the LU score(LUS)system,which has been widely used in other studies.Simplified models were established by analyzing the predictive effects of LU patterns in different parts of the lungs.Predictive reliability was tested using the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.Results:PC and control groups had 29 and 117 neonates,respectively;a total of 22 neonates required respiratory support.The PC and control groups showed differences in respiratory support requirements,A-lines,and coalesced B-lines.The percentages of A-lines and coalesced B-lines were associated with respiratory support requirements.The optimal cutoff values for the percentages of the A-lines and coalesced B-lines were 55.7%and 24.5%,respectively.Similar effects were obtained by calculating the percentage of coalesced B-lines in four areas(R3,R4,L3,and L4).These methods were judged as more visual and convenient than LUS assessment.conclusion:The percentages of A-line and coalesced B-lines on LU images can be used to predict the respiratory support needs of neonates whose mothers had pregnancy complications.Only four areas(R3,R4,L3,and L4)had similar predictive values.

Decidualization and Related Pregnancy Complications

Decidualization is the differentiation of endometrial stromal cells into secretory decidual stromal cells.Human decidualization involves some amount of signaling molecules and pathways as well as genetic reprogramming,which is driven by the postovulatory rise in progesterone levels and local cyclic adenosine monophosphate production.Decidualization extends from the primary decidual zone to the secondary decidual zone,and then exits through apoptosis.Evidences support that decidual fibroblasts function as the pool of decidual stromal cells during pregnancy.Decidualization undergoes an acute inflammatory phase,an anti-inflammatory secretory phase to the final recession phase.The decidualization of the inner layer of endometrium,termed decidua,is the most critical determinant of pregnancy success,which can promote placenta formation,modulate immune tolerance,foster resistance to oxidative stress,sense embryo quality,and control labor.Failure to adequate decidualization in terms of hormones,biochemistry,and immunology leads to adverse pregnancy outcomes,including diseases such as preeclampsia,miscarriage,premature labor,repeated implantation failures,and some age-related decline in reproductive capacity.The development of animal models and in vitro culture systems combined with emerging technologies provides a powerful system to explore the mechanism of decidualization.However,decidualization is a dynamic,multi-step process,and translating of current research progress into disease predictions and interventions for pregnancy complications remains to be achieved.The study of periodic regeneration and spontaneous decidualization of the endometrium will be beneficial to the diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy diseases.

Research progress of immune checkpoint molecules in pregnancy

In recent years,immune checkpoint molecules have made breakthroughs in the fields of inducing graft tolerance,tumor immune escape and preventing autoimmunity.These immunoregulatory factors,when combined with ligand,can transduce the inhibitory signal into cells to negatively regulate the immune response,which brings new enlightenment for the immune research of pregnancy and pregnancy complications.In this review,we reviewed the immunomodulatory effects of CTLA-4,PD-1 and Tim-3 in pregnancy,in order to evaluate their potential effects in pregnancy,and to provide a new direction for the immunotherapy of pregnancy complications.

Pancreatitis in pregnancy: etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes

BACKGROUND：Acute pancreatitis in pregnancy is a rare and dangerous disease.This study aimed to examine the etiology,treatment,and outcomes of pancreatitis in pregnancy.METHOD：A total of 25 pregnant patients diagnosed with pancreatitis during the period of 1994 and 2014 was analyzed retrospectively.RESULTS：The pregnant patients were diagnosed with pancreatitis during a period of 21 years.Most（60%）of the patients were diagnosed with pancreatitis in the third trimester.The mean age of the patients at presentation was 25.7 years,with a mean gestational age of 24.4 weeks.Abdominal pain occurred in most patients and vomiting in one patient was associated hyperemesis gravidarum.The common cause of the disease was gallstone-related（56%）,followed by alcohol-related（16%）,post-ERCP（4%）,hereditary（4%）and undetermined conditions（20%）.The level of triglycerides was minimally high in three patients.ERCP and wire-guided sphincterotomy were performed in 6（43%）of 14 patients with gallstone-related pancreatitis and elevated liver enzymes with no complications.Most（84%）of the patients underwent a full-term,vaginal delivery.There was no difference in either maternal or fetal outcomes after ERCP.CONCLUSIONS：Acute pancreatitis is rare in pregnancy,occurring most commonly in the third trimester,and gallstones are the most common cause.When laparoscopic cholecystectomy is not feasible and a common bile duct stone is highly suspected on imaging,endoscopic sphincterotomy or stenting may help to prevent recurrence and postpone cholecystectomy until after delivery.

Liver stiffness reversibly increases during pregnancy and independently predicts preeclampsia

AIM To study liver stiffness(LS) during pregnancy and its association with complications during pregnancy.METHODS In this observational, diagnostic study, 537 pregnant women were prospectively enrolled at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University hospital Heidelberg and Salem Medical Center. LS was measured using the Fibroscan device(Echosens, Paris) in all women and in 41 cases 24 h after delivery. Clinical and morphological data were recorded and abdominal ultrasound and standard laboratory tests were performed. No complications were observed in 475 women(controls) while preeclampsia and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy(ICP) developed in 22 and 40 women, respectively.RESULTS In controls, LS increased significantly from initially 4.5 ± 1.2 kPa in the second trimester to 6.0 ± 2.3 kPa(P < 0.001) in the third trimester. In the third trimester, 41% of women had a LS higher than 6 kPa. Elevated LS in controls was significantly correlated with alkaline phosphatase, leukocytes, gestational age and an increase in body weight and body mass index(BMI). In women with pregnancy complications, LS was significantly higher as compared to controls(P < 0.0001). Moreover, in multivariate analysis, LS was an independent predictor for preeclampsia with an odds ratio of 2.05(1.27-3.31) and a cut-off value of 7.6 kPa. In contrast, ICP could not be predicted by LS. Finally, LS rapidly decreased in all women within 24 h after delivery from 7.2 ± 3.3 kPa down to 4.9 ± 2.2 kPa(P < 0.001).CONCLUSION During pregnancy, LS significantly and reversibly increases in the final trimester of pregnant women without complications. In women with preeclampsia, LS is significantly elevated and an independent noninvasive predictor.

Fertility and pregnancy in inflammatory bowel disease

INTRODUCTIONInflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is a chronic disorder affecting young adults in the reproductive years.It is comon for both female and male patients with IBD to ask questions about IBD's effect on their relationships,sexual and reproductive function,in particular fertility,the outcome of pregnancy and its possible effets on the disease.An open discussion of the social situation and education targeted at these issues therefore forms an essential part of the management of any young person with IBD.the questions that are most commonly asked are summarised in Table 1.In order to answer these questions we need evidence.There are few large prospective case controlled studies to provide the information which is required but the available data,some of it from small observational studies,will be summarised in this chapter.

Presence of Obstetrics Cholestasis in Mothers Presenting with Pruritus in Pregnancy: In a Low Resource South Asian Setting

Obstetric cholestasis (also referred to as intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy—ICP) is a pruritic form of reversible cholestasis that is associated with significant fetal risks. There is a paucity of research regarding pregnancy outcomes of the mothers with obstetric cholestasis in the South Asian setting. Hence, the objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of obstetric cholestasis among mothers presenting with pruritus during pregnancy and to describe the characteristics and outcomes for those diagnosed with ICP in comparison with those with pruritus in the absence of ICP. Methods: All mothers presenting with pruritus to De Soyza Maternity hospital in Colombo Sri Lanka, between 1st January 2011 to 1st January 2014, were recruited for the study. A standard set of biochemical tests were used for diagnosis of ICP. An interviewer administered questionnaire and patient records were used for data collection. Presentation, characteristics and pregnancy outcomes were assessed and compared for mothers with ICP against those with pruritus in the absence of ICP. Results: The prevalence of ICP in the study population was found to be 27% (n = 27). Generalized pruritus with pruritus of the palms and soles was identified as the commonest pattern of pruritus for diagnosed with ICP. Delivery before 37 weeks (p = 0.001), meconium stained liquor (p = 0.004), placental abruption (p = 0.005), postpartum hemorrhage (p = 0.005), bleeding manifestation (p = 0.006), preterm labor (p = 0.031) and fetal distress (p = 0.035) were found to be significantly associated with the presence of ICP. Conclusions: Nearly 1/3 of mothers presenting with pruritus in pregnancy in Sri Lanka are affected by ICP which is associated with an increase in a wide range of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes compared to those with pruritus in the absence of ICP.

Pregnancy and fetal outcomes of chronic hepatitis C mothers with viremia in China

BACKGROUND Data that assess maternal and infant outcomes in hepatitis C virus(HCV)-infected mothers are limited.AIM To investigate the frequency of complications and the associated risk factors.METHODS We performed a cohort study to compare pregnancy and fetal outcomes of HCVviremic mothers with those of healthy mothers.Risk factors were analyzed with logistic regression.RESULTS Among 112 consecutive HCV antibody-positive mothers screened,we enrolled 79 viremic mothers.We randomly selected 115 healthy mothers from the birth registry as the control.Compared to healthy mothers,HCV mothers had a significantly higher frequency of anemia[2.6%(3/115)vs 19.0%(15/79),P<0.001]during pregnancy,medical conditions that required caesarian section[27.8%(32/115)vs 48.1%(38/79),P=0.004],and nuchal cords[9.6%(11/115)vs 34.2%(27/79),P<0.001].In addition,the mean neonatal weight in the HCV group was significantly lower(3278.3±462.0 vs 3105.1±459.4 gms;P=0.006),and the mean head circumference was smaller(33.3±0.6 vs 33.1±0.7 cm;P=0.03).In a multivariate model,HCV-infected mothers were more likely to suffer anemia[adjusted odds ratio(OR):18.1,95%confidence interval(CI):4.3-76.6],require caesarian sections(adjusted OR:2.6,95%CI:1.4-4.9),and have nuchal cords(adjusted OR:5.6,95%CI:2.4-13.0).Their neonates were also more likely to have smaller head circumferences(adjusted OR:2.1,95%CI:1.1-4.3)and lower birth weights than the average(≤3250 gms)with an adjusted OR of 2.2(95%CI:1.2-4.0).The vertical transmission rate was 1%in HCV-infected mothers.CONCLUSION Maternal HCV infections may associate with pregnancy and obstetric complications.We demonstrated a previously unreported association between maternal HCV viremia and a smaller neonatal head circumference,suggesting fetal growth restriction.

Application of GEE Models for Assessing Maternal Health Complications

Bangladesh, a developing country, gained success towards the fifth-millennium development goals target of reducing its maternal mortality ratio by three quarters by 2015, but yet worked more on it for further reduction of maternal mortality. In this light, though Bangladesh is committed to the sustainable development goals target of reducing its maternal mortality ratio to be reduced from 170 to 105 per 100,000 live births, the scope of research on this issue is limited because the maternal morbidity data is scarce in Bangladesh. In this paper, the prospective data on maternal morbidity in rural Bangladesh (collected by BIRPERHT) have been employed to trace out the high-risk and life-threatening factors associated with pregnancy-related complications. The subject-specific generalized estimating equations (SS-GEE) model with random effect structure is used for multivariate binary data for the repeated observations. The findings indicate that the risk of suffering from pregnancy complications is higher for high economic status, lower age at marriage, not visited for medical check-ups, outside home workers, and having miscarriage or abortion. Comparing the SS-GEE model with other correlation structures and relative efficiency factors, the SS-GEE model with random effect structure is well fitted for the prospective repeated observation data.

INVESTIGATION OF THROMBOMODULIN AND PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR INHIBITOR TYPE-I IN PREGNANCY INDUCED HYPERTENSION AND ITS CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Objective. To measure the circulating levels of thrombomodulin (TM) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type- I (PAI- I) in women with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). Methods. Blood samples were drawn from 97 pregnant women in their third trimester, grouped as 25 mild PIH,26 moderate PIH,22 severe PIH and 24 normotensive healthy pregnant women for determining levels of TM by ELISA,PAI- I by colorimetric assay methods, and creatinine (Cr) in serum by biochemical method. Results. Circulating levels of TM, PAI- I and TM/Cr ratio increased with increasing severity of PIH. There were no significant differences between mild and normotensive pregnant women. The parameters were significantly changed in the moderate and severe PIH groups. Conclusion. TM and PAI- I may serve as meaningful clinical markers for the assessment of the endothelial damage in PIH, which is very important in evaluating and following the development of PIH.

Changes in Number and Biological Function of Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Hypertension Disorder Complicating Pregnancy

To examine the changes in number and function of endothelial progenitor cells （EPCs） from peripheral blood （PB） in hypertension disorder complicating pregnancy （HDCP）, 20 women with HDCP and 20 normal pregnant women at the third trimester were studied. Mononuclear cells （MNCs） from PB were isolated by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation. EPCs were identified by positive expression of both CD34 and CD133 under fluorescence microscope and positive expression of factor Ⅷ as shown by immunocytochemistry. The number of EPCs was flow-cytometrically determined. Proliferation and migration of EPCs were measured by MTT assay and modified Boyden chamber assay, respectively. The adhesion activity of EPCs was detected by counting the number of the adherent cells. The results showed that, compared with normal pregnant women, the number of EPCs was significantly reduced in HDCP （4.29%±1.21% vs 15.32%±2.00%, P〈0.01）, the functional activity of EPCs in HDCP, such as proliferation （13.45%±1.68% vs 18.45%±1.67%）, migration （37.25±7.28 cells/field vs 67.10±9.55 cells/field） and adhesion activity （20.65±5.19 cells/field vs 34.40±6.72 cells/filed） was impaired （P〈0.01）. It is concluded that the number and function of EPCs are significantly decreased in HDCP.

The Association between Polymorphism of TNF-α Gene and Hypertensive Disorder Complicating Pregnancy

To study whether the development of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy is associated with --308G→A, -850C→T mutation at promoter of TNF-α gene, the --308G→A, --850C→T polymorphism was examined in patients and healthy pregnant women by PCR-RFLP technique. The frequencies of genotype and allele were compared between the two groups. The results showed that with-308G→A polymorphism distribution, the allele frequency of TNF2 and the frequency of the genotype TNF2/1 in the patient group was significantly higher in the patient group than in control group （P〈0.05）. A significant difference in genotype distribution of --850C→T polymorphism was observed between the two groups. The allele frequencies of T in patient group was higher in the control group as compared with the patient group. The frequencies of CT and TT genotypes were lower in the patient group. It is concluded that the TNF2 allele of -308 is associated with the occurrence of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy, while T allele of--850 may be the protective factor against the development of the disease. TNF2/1 CC may be susceptibility genotype of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy.

Endogenous Ouabain in Hypertensive Disorder Complicating Pregnancy

Expression of endogenous ouabain in placenta and the concentrations of serum ET-1 and NO were examined in 30 patients with hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy （HDCP） and 30 healthy pregnant women to investigate the effect of endogenous ouabain on HDCP. Compared with the healthy pregnant group, the expression of endogenous ouabain dramatically increased in the HDCP groups （P〈0.01）. There was a significantly positive correlation between the expression of en- dogenous ouabain with ET-1 （r= 0.5567, P〈0.01）, while the correlation of endogenous ouabain and NO was significantly negative （r=-0.6895, P〈0.01）. As expected, the correlation between ET-1 and NO was negative （r=-0.7796, P〈0.01）. ET-1 concentrations of maternal and cord sera in HDCP groups were significantly higher in comparison with healthy pregnant group （P〈0.01）. On the contrast, NO concentrations were much lower in the maternal and cord sera of HDCP groups as compared with healthy pregnant group （P〈0.01）. Our data suggest that endogenous ouabain is directly involved in the nosogenesis of HDCP, with accompanying decreased NO and the elevated of ET-1.

The investigation for the relationship among serum leptin, erythrocyte membrane Ca^(2+)-ATPase activity and hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy

Objective： To study the significance of Leptin and the activity of erythrocyte membrane Ca^2＋-ATPase（EMCA） in the development of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy. Methods： Radioimmunoassay was used to test the level of serum Leptin, and the activity of EMCA was determined chemically in 38 pregnant women with hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy and 36 normotensive pregnant women. Results： The level of serum Leptin in hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy（gestational hypertension： 13.76 ± 3.46 ng/ml; preeclampsia： 15.76 ± 5.47 ng/ml; eclampsia： 18.32 ± 6.38 ng/ml）was significantly higher than that in normotensive pregnant women （11.33 ± 2.93 ng/ml） ,respectively. The average EMCA activity of patients with hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy （gestational hypertension： 1.65 ± 0.24 μmol·pi/mg.h ; preeclampsia： 1.37 ± 0.19 μ mol·pi/mg·h;eclampsia：1.12 ± 0.14 μmol·pi/mg·h） was significantly lower than that of normotensive pregnant women（1.83 ± 0.38 μ mol·pi/mg·h）,respectively. There was a negative correlation between the level of serum Leptin and the activity of RMCA in hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy （r = -0.63）. Conclusion： Inhibition of EMCA activity of erythrocyte in hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy may increase cytoplasmic free calcium, which contributes to the development of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy. The negative correlation between the level of serum Leptin and the activity of EMCA, also suggested that serum Leptin and the activity of EMCA may play a role in the development of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy.

Effect of Prepared Rhubarb on Insulin Resistance in Patients With Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

Objective: To investigate the effect of prepared rhubarb on insulin resistance in patients with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and its mechanism. Methods: All the 92 patients accepted 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin release test before and after treatment. These patients were divided into two groups (treated group and control group). Prepared rhubarb and nifedipine were given to the treated group, while nifedipine was given to the control group alone. Circulating endothelial cell (CEC), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured and glucose area under curve (GAUC), insulin area under curve (IAUC), insulin sensitivity index (ISI) were calculated. And 30 normal pregnant women were selected as the healthy group. Results: CEC, TNF-a, IL-6, GAUC and IAUC of PIH patients were significantly higher than those of the normal healthy group; while ISI of PIH patients was significantly lower than that of the healthy group. ISI was significantly negatively correlated to CEC, TNF-a and IL-6. After treatment, CEC, TNF-α, IL-6, GAUC decreased and ISI increased significantly in the treated group; while in the control group, all above-mentioned parameters showed no change. Conclusion: Prepared rhubarb can improve insulin resistance of PIH by reducing vascular endothelial cell's damage.

Heart and Lung Disorders Complicating Pregnancy and the Puerperium: Pitfalls in Practice &Lessons Learned

Objective: To review a case series of 12 women with unexpected heart and lung disorders that occurred during pregnancy and the puerperium, describing for teaching purposes the pitfalls in practice and the lessons learned from this experience. Materials & Methods: We reviewed case files of women with medical and/or hypertensive complications of pregnancy that were evaluated for medicolegal defense purposes by the first author between 1986-2015. Twelve women in these case files experienced unexpected cardiovascular and/or cardiopulmonary complications late in pregnancy or early in the puerperium. For each case, the pertinent medical record information was extracted. Important concepts as lessons learned are summarized and referenced for teaching purposes. Results: Five women had undetected preexisting heart disease which acutely deteriorated during the third trimester, four women developed postpartum heart failure related to pregnancy and delivery, and three women suffered an intrapartum cardiac arrest;none survived. Their case presentations illustrate the importance of obstetric health care professionals being alert to the signs/symptoms of developing cardiopulmonary disease late in pregnancy and following delivery so that timely evaluation and intervention can be accomplished to potentially avoid morbidity and mortality. Diagnostic categories include peripartum heart failure, high-risk chronic hypertension, superimposed preeclampsia, amniotic fluid embolism, pulmonary embolism and Raynaud’s with occult pulmonary hypertension. Conclusion: These cases illustrate the diversity of ways that cardiovascular disease can suddenly complicate pregnancy and the early postpartum period. A major part of any effort to enhance safer motherhood is a heightened awareness by obstetric specialists to consider the possibility of heart disease in all maternity patients so that appropriate consultation and collaboration with other specialists might help avoid major maternal morbidity or mortality.

Analysis of Placental Growth Factor in Placentas of Normal Pregnant Women and Women with Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

To investigate the expressions of placental growth factor （PLGF） in placenta with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy （ HDP）, 45 women with HDP and 20 normally pregnant women were studied. Among 45 women with HDP, there were 23 cases of severe preeclampsia and one case of eclampsia. The location and level of PLGF proteins was determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The expression of PLGF mRNA in placenta was assessed by reverse transcriptionalpolymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. The results showed that： （1） The distribution of PLGF in placenta with HDP was similar to normal one, which was mainly in the cytoplasm of villous syncytiotrophoblast and villous stroma; （2） The expression of PLGF protein was significantly decreased in placentas with mild and severe preeclampsia compared to the normal ones （0.3±0.4 vs 0.6± 0.4, 0.2±0.5 vs 0. 6±0. 4, P〈0.01）. There were no differences between the gestational hypertension placenta and normal one （0.5±0.6 vs 0. 6±0. 4, P〉0.05） ; （3） The transcription levels of the PLGF mRNA in placentas with preeclampsia were significantly lower than in normal groups （3.33±0.39 vs 4.87±0. 60, 1.97±0.29 vs 4.87±0.60, P〈0.01）, and no differences were found between the gestational hypertension placenta and normal groups. These findings suggest that the abnormal expression of PLGF in placentas is related to the pathogenesis of HDP.

Bleeding Meckel’s in Pregnancy: A Rare Cause of a Rare Phenomenon

Meckel’s diverticulum complicating pregnancy is indeed a rare occurrence. The anatomical and physiological changes that occur in pregnancy make the clinical presentation and preoperative diagnosis of an acute abdomen extremely difficult. Even imaging modalities have to be used with caution keeping in mind the risks associated for both mother and fetus. Treatment of such cases must be prompt and accurate with a high index of suspicion in order to prevent high rate of maternal and fetal morbidity. We report one such case of bleeding of Meckel’s diverticulum. The most common cause of bleeding in a Meckel’s is ectopic gastric mucosa. When we performed an exploratory laparotomy we found to our surprise a bleeding Meckel’s diverticulum. Further investigations revealed a very interesting histopathological report of endometriosis as the cause of bleed.