Handbook Of Clinical Laboratory Testing During Pregnancy (current Clinical Pathology)

Although a pregnant woman undergoes a multitude of physiological adaptations that profoundly change her biochemical and biophysical characteristics and is also subject to a variety of pregnancy-specific diseases, until now no comprehensive text was available that focused exclusively on clinical laboratory testing during pregnancy. In the Handbook of Clinical Laboratory Testing During Pregnancy, practicing specialists in pathology, laboratory medicine, and obstetrics comprehensively summarize the latest scientific findings and their experiences in the use and interpretation of laboratory testing in patients who are pregnant or experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss. Topics of interest include the effects of normal physiological changes on test results, test selection for diagnosis, changes in reference ranges, monitoring the pregnant patient, new technologies, and the limitations of laboratory testing. The authors not only clearly explain currently used test methods and technologies for the nontechnical reader, but also provide comprehensive practical details for laboratory professionals. Beyond clinical chemistry, additional disciplines covered include molecular biology, serology, immunology, hematology, endocrinology, and microbiology, in addition to help in the evaluation of numerous pathological states. The comprehensive appendix that compiles published normal reference ranges by first, second, and third trimester constitutes an excellent resource for professionals caring for pregnant women. Multidisciplinary and highly practical, the Handbook of Clinical Laboratory Testing During Pregnancy offers laboratory physicians, obstetricians, nurses, midwives, and pediatricians a gold-standard reference source and guide to the optimal use and interpretation of clinical laboratory testing during pregnancy today. Front Matter....Pages i-xvii Human Pregnancy....Pages 1-13 Human Chorionic Gonadotropin....Pages 15-34 Biological Markers of Preterm Delivery....Pages 35-54 Markers of Fetal Lung Maturity....Pages 55-70 Maternal Prenatal Screening for Fetal Defects....Pages 71-137 Chromosome Analysis in Prenatal Diagnosis....Pages 139-157 Diagnosis and Monitoring of Ectopic and Abnormal Pregnancies....Pages 159-166 Thyroid Disease During Pregnancy....Pages 167-179 Thyroid Disease During Pregnancy....Pages 181-194 Hematology and Hemostasis During Pregnancy....Pages 195-217 Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn....Pages 219-243 Prenatal Screening and Diagnosis of Congenital Infections....Pages 245-289 Laboratory Testing for Group B Streptococcus in the Pregnant Patient....Pages 291-300 Immunologic Diseases of Pregnancy....Pages 301-325 Recurrent Pregnancy Loss....Pages 327-349 Multifetal Gestations....Pages 351-358 Diabetes in Pregnancy....Pages 359-390 Preeclampsia, Eclampsia, and Hypertension....Pages 391-400 Liver Diseases in Pregnancy....Pages 401-422 Back Matter....Pages 423-454 Practicing specialists in pathology, laboratory medicine, and obstetrics comprehensively summarize the latest scientific findings and their experiences in the use and interpretation of laboratory testing in patients who are pregnant or experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss. Topics of interest include the effects of normal physiological changes on test results, test selection for diagnosis, changes in reference ranges, monitoring the pregnant patient, new technologies, and the limitations of laboratory testing. The authors not only clearly explain currently used test methods and technologies for the nontechnical reader, but also provide comprehensive details for laboratory professionals. The comprehensive appendix that compiles published normal reference ranges by first, second, and third trimester consttitutes an excellent resource for professionals caring for pregnant women. Aids clinicians and laboratorians in the area of diagnosis during pregnancy using laboratory testing. It is the first handbook to focus exclusively on the use of laboratory tests during pregnancy, including the effects of normal physiological changes on test results; the proper use of laboratory tests; interpretation of results; changes in reference ranges; monitoring the pregnant patient; and new technologies such as molecular diagnostics. Included is a comprehensive appendix of normal reference ranges in pregnant women making this an excellent resource for any medical professional. The average human gestation is 280 d (40 wk), as counted from the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP).