Serum insulin like growth factor 1 and insulin like growth factor binding protein 1 in primary antiphospholipid syndrome

To study maternal serum concentrations of insulin growth factor [IGF-I] and insulin growth factor binding protein [IGFBP-1] in women with primary antiphospholipid syndrome [PAPS]. A prospective study. Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ain Shams University. Ten women with Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome [PAPS] and Ten normal pregnant women were included in this prospective study. The mean age for both groups did not show significant difference. Patients with PAPS delivered earlier and with a lower birth weight. The difference between both groups were significant for both gestational age at labor and birth weight [p<0.0001]. Serum IGF-1 was lower in PAPS than the control group throughout pregnancy. The level of IGF-1 decreased significantly in the PAPS group [p<0.0001]. The level of IGF-1 increased significantly in the control group late in pregnancy [p=0.0317]. Serum IGFBP-1 was higher in the PAPS group than the control group in early and late pregnancy [p<0.0001]. The level of IGFBP-1 increased significantly in the PAPS group and in the control group [p<0.0001]. Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome [PAPS] is associated with a progressive decrease in the levels of serum IGF-1 during pregnancy. The levels of IGFBP-1 increased in all pregnant women but were higher in patients with Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome [PAPS]

Can cervical canal length assessment by transvaginal ultrasound be used as a predictor of preterm labor in high risk patients?

To prove or disprove the efficacy of cervical canal length evaluation by Transvaginal Ultrasound in prediction of preterm labor, in patients at risk. through a Prospective study, 50 patients, pregnant 24-28 weeks, with one or more risk factors for PTL [preterm labor], but yet asymptomatic, underwent Transvaginal Ultrasound for cervical canal length assessment, then they were followed up till 37 weeks of pregnancy [fetal maturity], the length of cervical length is then correlated with the prognosis of pregnancy, and whether or not it ended in preterm labor. Showed that a cutoff value of 30 mm cervical length is a sensitive and specific value, below which, pregnant patients 24-28 weeks at high risk for preterm labor are shown to be prone to develop PTL, so that interventions such as: tocolysis, cerclage, bed rest and steroids can be advisable. Transvaginal Sonography for cervical length assessment is a safe, and effective technique to predict increased risk for preterm labor in [selectedpatients]. Normal results [length above 30 mm] can help avoid unnecessary interventions. A single transvaginal Ultrasound for cervical length assessment can be a sensitive, specific and reproducible method to detect liability for preterm labor