Objective To characterize immune modulation as expressed by cytokine assays at three time-points in human pregnancy. Study Design This is a prospective, longitudinal study of a broad panel of cytokine expression during singleton pregnancies resulting in an uncomplicated, full-term, live births. Peripheral blood was obtained at 8–14, 18–22, and 28–32 weeks gestation. Six cytokines—IFN-γ, IL-4, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10—were measured in supernatants obtained from whole blood stimulations with PHA or LPS and were compared to unstimulated controls. Samples were processed by Luminex-100 MAP®. We used Generalized Linear Models (GLM) to evaluate cytokine trajectories. Results Complete data were obtained for forty-five uncomplicated pregnancies. Overall, peripheral blood WBC’s demonstrated dampened cytokine responses. However, over the course of pregnancy, we found enhanced counter-regulatory cytokine expression (e.g., shown by increased IL-10). Conclusion The overall decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines and increase in counter-regulatory cytokines as uncomplicated pregnancy progresses supports the evolving concepts of immunoregulation for the maintenance of a viable pregnancy.

Late preterm newborns (LPNs), those with gestational ages (GAs) between 34 weeks and 36 weeks 6 days, account for 70% of preterm births. Because they have a mature appearance and are often cared for in a well baby nursery (WBN), parents may anticipate that the nursery course will be similar to that of a term infant and that their newborn will be discharged with his/her mother. How frequently their hospitalizations are prolonged beyond that of their mothers and the morbidities associated with prolonged hospitalization (PH) have not been well described. The objectives of the study were to (1) determine the proportion of LPNs with a PH and (2) describe the most common morbidities in LPNs and identify those associated with PH. The authors conducted retrospective chart reviews of the neonatal courses of LPNs born between December 2002 and April 2007 at the University of Utah Hospital. They compared maternal and newborn discharge dates to determine the proportion of LPNs with a PH and calculated frequencies of conditions and interventions indicating morbidity and identified associations between each of the conditions/interventions and PH. Of 235 LPNs, 94 (40%) had a PH; 75% of 34-week LPNs had a PH compared with 50% of those with GAs of 35 weeks and 25% of those with GAs of 36 weeks. The most common conditions/interventions were an oxygen need, phototherapy for jaundice, and hypothermia requiring an isolette. A need for nasogastric feeding and antibiotic administration for >3 days was consistently associated with a PH. LPNs whose only intervention was phototherapy for jaundice or IV antibiotics for <3 days did not have a PH. As a group, two thirds of LPNs experienced one or more conditions/interventions indicating morbidity, and 40% had a PH. Both were much more common in LPNs with GAs of 34 weeks compared with LPNs with GAs of 36 weeks. Nursery clinicians should counsel parents of LPNs regarding the likely possibility of morbidity and PH.

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The preterm birth rate in the USA is nearing 13%. The recent rise has been attributed to increased indicated preterm births and multiple births following artificial conceptions. There are few obstetrical interventions that successfully delay or prevent spontaneous preterm birth or reduce the risk factors leading to indicated preterm birth. On the other hand, there are many strategies that have improved outcomes for those infants who are born preterm. These include the use of corticosteroids for fetal maturation and regionalization of perinatal care for high-risk mothers and their infants. Several interventions, including progesterone use and cerclage, demonstrate promise in reducing spontaneous preterm births. The most pressing need is to better define the populations of pregnant women for whom these and other interventions will effectively reduce preterm birth.

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