Surfactant proteins in the diagnosis of fetal lung maturity: the 35 kd protein and phospholipids in complicated pregnancy

Article Abstract:

Many types of abnormal pregnancies affect the lung maturity of fetuses. Some conditions speed up the maturation process, such preeclampsia, a complication of pregnancy causing high blood pressure, and an early rupture of the membrane surrounding the fetus. Diabetes mellitus, a disorder of sugar metabolism resulting in high blood sugar, can either speed up, slow down or have no effect on lung maturation. Premature lungs have less surfactant, an agent that lowers surface tension in the lungs, and this renders the lungs inflexible. Immature fetal lungs can cause respiratory distress syndrome in infants. Measurements of certain phospholipids in the fluid surrounding the fetus known as surfactant indexes can give false estimation of fetal lung maturity in some complicated pregnancies. The ratio of a component of surfactant 35 kd protein to two other surfactant phospholipids was determined in 68 diabetics, 41 women having high blood pressure, 26 women having premature rupture of membranes and 45 uncomplicated pregnancies. The ratio was highest in patients having preeclampsia and lowest in diabetic patients, which correlated with fetal growth. The 35 kd protein index falsely predicted lung maturity in four samples. The use of 35 kd protein to predict lung maturity was not as effective as the present method using phospholipid indexes.

Measurement, Fetus, Infants, Pulmonary function tests, Pulmonary surfactant, Pulmonary surfactants, Pulmonary function tests for newborn infants

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Transforming growth factor-beta 2 prevents preterm delivery induced by interleukin-1 alpha and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the rabbit

Article Abstract:

Transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-beta 2) may prevent preterm delivery induced by interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). IL-1 and TNF are substances found in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women in preterm labor caused by an intrauterine infection. Among 61 pregnant rabbits, 19 were treated with TGF-beta 2, IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha, 23 were treated with IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha and 19 received no treatment. None of the rabbits in the TGF-beta 2 group and in the no treatment group delivered prematurely, compared with 26% of the rabbits in the IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha group. No premature deliveries occurred among 11 pregnant rabbits injected with TGF-beta 2. IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha may increase levels of prostaglandin E2 in amniotic fluid, but treatment with TGF-beta 2 may reduce these levels.

Prevention, Premature birth, Transforming growth factors, Tumor necrosis factor, Interleukin-1

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Respiratory distress syndrome in twin infants compared with singletons

Article Abstract:

Gestational age-specific incidence and risk factors of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in twins are examined in comparison with singletons. It is found that twins are at higher risk of RDS only during early gestation.

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, Science & research, Research and Testing Services, Gynecological R&D, Diseases, Twins, Gynecological research

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