Factors that influence the incision-delivery interval at caesarean section and the impact on the neonate: a prospective cohort study.

To determine the range of, and influences on, the incision-delivery interval (IDI) and the impact on neonatal condition at delivery.This article is freely available via Open Access. Click on the 'Additional Link' above to access the full-text from the publisher's site

Prostaglandins in the human fetal circulation in mid-trimester and term pregnancy

Concentrations of prostaglandins in fetal and maternal plasma during mid-pregnancy and fetal plasma at term have been measured. Fetal levels at both gestations were higher than found in maternal blood. The stable chemical breakdown product of prostacyclin, 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1α), was consistently considerably higher in the fetus during mid-pregnancy compared with at term. Prostaglandin F levels were also significantly higher in mid-pregnancy, though there was no difference in the concentrations of the major circulating prostaglandin F metabolite, PGFM. Concentrations of prostaglandin E were similar at the two stages of pregnancy. The physiological significance of these findings is discussed

Ontogeny and neonatology of circulating endogenous inhibitor(s) of prostaglandin synthase in the human

To further understand the mechanism by which in vivo prostaglandin synthesis may be orchestrated, plasma levels of endogenous inhibitor(s) of prostaglandin synthase (EIPS) in the human fetus, neonate and adult have been measured. In general, a reciprocal relationship was found between plasma EIPS levels and previously reported plasma prostaglandin concentrations. This result supports a role for EIPS in the control of prostaglandin biosynthesis in the human.</p