tailieunhanh - Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America 2004

Recent expansion of biomedical knowledge on the interactions between the fetus, placenta, and the mother have transformed our view of pregnancy in general. Recent basic and clinical investigations have improved significantly our understanding on how hormones affect the pregnancy, and on how pregnancy affects the fetal and maternal hormones. Because pregnancy may be seen as the ultimate hormonally mediated event, the topic of endocrinology of pregnancy is particularly relevant. | ELSEVIER VUADtRt OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA ELSEVIER SAUNDERS Obstet Gynecol Clin N Am 31 2004 xv-xvi OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA Preface Endocrinology of Pregnancy Aydin Arici MD Joshua A. Copel MD Guest Editors Recent expansion of biomedical knowledge on the interactions between the fetus placenta and the mother have transformed our view of pregnancy in general. Recent basic and clinical investigations have improved significantly our understanding on how hormones affect the pregnancy and on how pregnancy affects the fetal and maternal hormones. Because pregnancy may be seen as the ultimate hormonally mediated event the topic of endocrinology of pregnancy is particularly relevant. The expansion of knowledge that has occurred during the last two decades has pushed medicine toward subspecialization. On the other hand a general obstetrician-gynecologist is continuously facing challenges to resolve endocri-nologic problems during pregnancy. It is well known that physiologic changes of pregnancy may mask clinical findings and laboratory results of endocri-nologic problems. The endocrinology of pregnancy has become one of the areas that straddles multiple specialties the authorship of this issue reflects this. The aim of this issue is to present a concise review of latest knowledge on the endocrinology of pregnancy to the reader. One needs to gather experts in perinatology reproductive endocrinology medical endocrinology and neonatology to address topics that are quite broad in scope. A diverse group of internationally recognized experts have come together to discuss the cutting edge knowledge in their 0889-8545 04 - see front matter 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. doi xvi A. Arici . Copel Obstet Gynecol Clin N Am 31 2004 xv-xvi respective specialties. We are grateful to all of the authors all of whom took the time to contribute to this issue despite .