Biomedical subjects

J Arrabal

Publications and source records attributed to J Arrabal.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Alpha-fetoprotein and hematopoietic growth factors in amniotic fluid.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a relationship exists between alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and hematopoietic growth factors in amniotic fluid. METHODS: Forty-one women at 15 weeks' gestation were included in the study. Gestational age was assessed by obtaining a reliable menstrual history and scanning. Amniocentesis was performed, and each woman subsequently delivered anatomically and chromosomally normal infants. The level of AFP was determined using a standard automated procedure. The concentrations of stem cell factor, interleukin 3, interleukin 6, erythropoietin, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) were measured using a commercially available immunoassay. The relationships between AFP and the studied cytokines were evaluated using the Pearson linear correlation test. Significant correlations were studied further by linear and nonlinear regression to obtain the best predictive model. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between AFP and stem cell factor (r =.47, P =.002). No significant correlations between AFP and the rest of the studied cytokines were found (r = -.07, r =.02, r = -.02, and r = -.11 for erythropoietin, G-CSF, interleukin 3, and interleukin 6, respectively). CONCLUSION: Alpha-fetoprotein is significantly correlated with stem cell factor in early pregnancy and might play a role in fetal hematopoiesis.

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PubMed1998

Umbilical blood flow and neonatal morphometry: a multivariate analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the relation between the state of umbilical blood flow and neonatal morphometry. STUDY DESIGN: We have recorded data from 460 pregnant women. Umbilical systolic to diastolic ratio was measured within the 3 days prior to the birth. Weight, height, head and chest circumferences, ponderal and head to chest circumferences ratio were considered for the study. RESULTS: In a univariate analysis, the best correlated variable to S/D ratio was the weight (r=-0.35). However, a forward stepwise multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the best predictors of S/D ratio were height and ponderal index. Small-for-gestational-age fetuses with placental insufficiency (n=20) had a significant more pronounced decrease of weight, height, head circumference and chest circumference than those with normal placental perfusion (n=31). The degree of decrease of ponderal index and HC/TC was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Umbilical blood flow is one important factor determining newborn morphometry. If only one growth variable is considered, the best correlation with umbilical S/D ratio is found to be the weight. The multivariate regression analysis concluded that the two most influential factors by umbilical blood flow are height and ponderal index and the rest of the morphometric parameters lost their significant correlations when adjusted by these variables. The impairment on neonatal morphometry in small-for-gestational-age fetuses associated to placental insufficiency is more severe than that with normal placental perfusion. However, it does not have a more pronounced decrease of ponderal index than the rest of causes of small-for-gestational-age fetuses.

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PubMed1997

Third-trimester maternal serum beta-HCG level and umbilical blood flow in fetal growth retardation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between maternal serum beta-HCG level and umbilical artery systolic/diastolic ratio in fetal growth retardation. METHODS: Maternal serum beta-HCG was measured in 57 pregnant women in the third trimester, 31 with a fetal growth retardation and 26 with a normal growth. The systolic/diastolic ratio was measured in a midsection of the umbilical cord the same day of the biochemical determination. RESULTS: The serum beta-HCG level was statistically significant higher in pregnant women with a fetal growth retardation associated with a high systolic/diastolic ratio (n = 9) (P < 0.001). There were no differences between the fetuses with a normal growth (n = 26) and those with an intrauterine growth retardation and a normal systolic/diastolic ratio (n = 22). There was a significant positive correlation between maternal serum beta-HCG level and umbilical artery systolic/diastolic ratio (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Fetal growth retardation due to Doppler-defined vascular placental insufficiency is associated with a higher maternal serum beta-HCG level.

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