A case of maternal reaction due to fetomaternal transfusion.

We present here a case of maternal reaction to fetomaternal transfusion complicated by subchorionic hemorrhage. A 40-year-old woman, gravida 2, para 0, was admitted to our hospital at 25 weeks' gestation because of high blood pressure. On the morning of 32 weeks and 2 days' gestation, she developed sudden onset nausea, dyspnea and regular uterine contractions. Blood pressure was 80/50 mmHg and pulse was 110 beats/minute. At this time, her WBC, hemoglobin and platelets were decreased significantly. Two hours after onset, the patient's condition improved spontaneously. Increased serum alpha-fetoprotein level (3.0 multiple of median) was observed. She was suggested to be a case of acute fetomaternal transfusion.

Maternal peripheral T-helper 1-type and T-helper 2-type immunity in nonpreeclamptic twin pregnancies.

The percentage of T-helper (Th)1, Th2 cells and the Th1:Th2 cell ratios in peripheral blood from 14 normal nonpregnant women, 23 normal pregnant women and 9 patients with twin pregnancies without preeclampsia at 28-32 weeks' gestation were calculated using flow cytometry. In normal pregnant women, the percentage of Th1 cells and Th1:Th2 ratios were significantly lower than those in nonpregnant women. In twin pregnancies, the percentage of Th1 cells and the Th1:Th2 ratios were significantly lower than those in non-pregnancies. In twin pregnancies; in addition, the percentage of Th1 cells was significantly lower than that in singleton pregnancies. Our findings show a markedly predominant Th2 immunity in twin pregnancies.

Regulation of plasma adenosine levels in normal pregnancy.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible mechanism of the regulation of plasma adenosine concentration [ADO] in normal pregnancy. We measured the activities of circulating enzymes that are involved in the production and metabolism of adenosine, and plasma [ADO] in nonpregnant (n = 14) and normal pregnant women (n = 14) in the third trimester. In pregnant women, the activity of plasma 5'-nucleotidase and plasma [ADO] were significantly elevated and plasma adenosine deaminase activity was significantly reduced. Enzymatic activities of both plasma enzymes appear to be changed in a way that would favor increased adenosine concentrations.