Potential benefit of Pentraxin 3 use as inflammatory marker in gynecological and obstetric diagnostics

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) belongs to the PTX family, which is represented by the short and long arm proteins. Classified as an acute-phase inflammatory response marker, it plays its role in innate immunity. Being produced by macrophages, monocytes, dendritic cells and even tissue cells, it has shown to be one of the most significant indicators of every progressing infection. Certain increased levels of PTX3 have been successfully marked in many disorders and pathologies, giving a powerful feedback in hematology, neurology, as in many cardiovascular, respiratory and inflammatory cases as well. In this review we tried to bring closer the potential of PTX3 usage and underline its possible positive input in the diagnostic phase of the gynecological and obstetric emergencies, based on most recent available researches

The influence of patient-controlled epidural analgesia on labor progress and neonatal outcome

Abstract Aim: The aim of the study was to check the influence of patient control epidural analgesia on labor progress and neonatal outcome. Material and methods: 144 parturients were included into the clinical trial. In 73 cases patient control epidural analgesia was used and in 71 cases pethidine (meperidine) solution was given intravenously. Apgar score, umbilical artery pH, pain intensity, the time of the first, second and third stage of labor, the rate of episiotomy and uterine postpartum abrasions and the rate of caesarean sections and vaginal operative delivery were compared. Results: The time of the second stage of labor was significantly longer in the study group (40.99 vs 26.49min, p

Pregnancy, delivery and puerperium in a patient with lysinuric protein intolerance – a case report

The paper presents the course of pregnancy, delivery and early postpartum period in a 23-year-old woman with lysinuric protein intolerance (LPI). The pregnancy was uneventful and resulted in a caesarean birth to a healthy baby at 37 weeks gestation. Nevertheless, the course of pregnancy in women with LPI is associated with a significantly increased risk of serious complications, including acute hyperammonemia, preeclampsia and postpartum bleeding, as well as fetus intrauterine growth retardation. In many cases, intensive metabolic monitoring and a proper diet with protein limitation and appropriate amino acids supplementation may significantly reduce the risk for both the mother and the newborn

Vaginal and cervical bacterial colonization in patients with threatening preterm labor

Objectives: The aim of the following work was to evaluate vaginal and cervical colonization in patients with threatening preterm labor and comparing the frequency of colonization of the term and preterm labor groups. Material and methods: 532 pregnant women with threatening preterm labor were included into the clinical trial. The frequency of colonization was established and the frequency of colonization depending on the duration of pregnancy was checked. Results: Positive vaginal cultures were found in 29.5% of patients. The most frequent were: Escherichia coli and Streptoccocus agalactiae. There was no relationship between the duration of pregnancy, the frequency of colonization or the type of bacterial culture. Conclusions: 30% of positive vaginal and cervical cultures may indicate about the deficiency of the used method. The most frequent microorganisms remain to be Candida, Escherichia coli and GBS. However, the frequency of colonization with rare bacteria increases. Not only bacterial colonization but a group of different factors may be the reason of preterm labor

Soluble and Endogenous Secretory Receptors for Advanced Glycation End Products in Threatened Preterm Labor and Preterm Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes

The aim of the study was to compare sRAGE and esRAGE plasma levels in pregnant women with (A) threatened premature labor (n=41), (B) preterm premature rupture of membranes (n=49), and (C) preterm rupture of membranes at term (n=48). The relationship between these and classic intrauterine infection markers and the latent time from symptoms up to delivery depending on RAGE’s concentration were investigated. In groups A and B, a positive correlation was found between plasma sRAGE and latent time (r = 0,422; p = 0,001; r = 0,413, p = 0,004, resp.). High prognostic values were found in both groups for plasma sRAGE concentration and the latent time from symptoms up to delivery. Groups B and C presented higher levels of esRAGE than group A (526,315 ± 129,453 pg/mL and 576,212 ± 136,237 pg/mL versus 485,918 ± 133,127 pg/mL, p< 0,05). The conclusion is that sRAGE concentration can be a favorable prognostic factor in the presence of symptoms of threatened premature labor. Higher esRAGE plasma level in case of the rupture of membranes in mature and premature pregnancy suggests its participation in fetal membranes destruction