Biochemical Assessment of Placental Function—Late Pregnancy

Pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein (SP1) and its relation to fetal birth weight at term pregnancy

The relation between serum levels of pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein (SP1) and actual fetal and placental weights was studied in 100 full-term pregnant women. This was compared with fetal weight determination by ultrasound. SP1 levels significantly correlated with fetal and placental weights. Its determination was found to be comparable to ultrasonography in placental fetal weight assessment, especially at the extremes of fetal weight (macrosomia and small for gestational age) where special obstetric management is warranted.

Fetomaternal macrotransfusion in the Yorkshire region. 2. Perinatal outcome

The perinatal outcome associated with fetomaternal macrotransfusion (FMMT), defined as fetomaternal haemorrhage greater than or equal to 10 ml, was investigated in a study group of 179 cases of FMMT and compared with the outcome in 322 controls selected from the same population. Perinatal mortality and morbidity occurred more frequently in the case group (P less than 0.01). The mean Apgar score at 1 min and the cord haemoglobin level differed significantly between the case and control groups (P less than 0.01) and showed a significant inverse correlation with the estimated volumes of FMMT (P less than 0.0001). There was no significant difference in birthweight between the case and control groups. The mean estimated volumes of FMMT associated with perinatal mortality and with low cord haemoglobin (less than or equal to 9.0 g/dl) were significantly higher than the mean volume in the case group as a whole, which suggests the possibility of adapting these observations to a screening procedure.