1/3. sex-determining region Y levels in maternal plasma: Evaluation in abnormal pregnancy.AIM: A number of studies for the measurement of cell-free fetal dna in maternal blood have been reported; however, their clinical significance has remained unclear. We proposed to clarify the relationship between fetal dna levels and obstetrical disorders. methods: One hundred and eighty-five cases of normal pregnancy, ranging from 8 to 40 weeks' gestation, and 70 cases of abnormal pregnancy were included. SRY levels in maternal plasma were quantified with a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: sex-determining region Y (SRY) levels and the number of patients with positive levels peaked at 33-36 weeks in normal pregnancy. The SRY levels in threatened abortion (11.6 /- 4.8 copies/mL to 0 /- 0, P < 0.05) and threatened preterm labor (44.6 /- 16.1 copies/mL to 15.9 /- 6.2, P < 0.01) were significantly higher than those of the normal group. In pre-eclamptic patients, SRY levels were markedly higher than those of the normal group (173.2 /- 94.8 copies/mL to 22.4 /- 8.9, P < 0.05). patients with premature separation of the placenta (266.8 /- 137.1 copies/mL to 4.9 /- 3.7, P < 0.05) and placenta previa (167.7 /- 32.4 copies/mL to 37.0 /- 17.3, p <0.01) also showed elevated SRY levels. CONCLUSION: sex-determining region Y levels in maternal plasma were elevated in patients with an abnormal pregnancy, particularly those with placental injury of damage. These results suggested that increased SRY levels are consistently caused by the leak of fetal components, and thus the measurement of SRY levels in maternal plasma is useful for the evaluation of placental injuries.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = previa (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/3. Velamentous insertion of the umbilical cord and vasa previa.We report 31 cases with velamentous insertion of the umbilical cord of whom two had coexistent vasa previa. The prevalence of the former was 0.22% and of the latter 0.014%. perinatal mortality was low, 3.2%, but there was a high rate of complications during pregnancy, such as threatened abortion, antepartum and intrapartum bleeding, premature delivery and fetal distress. Fifteen patients underwent caesarean section. Four of the term infants were small for gestational age. One infant had congenital malformations. The two cases with vasa previa are described in detail. We conclude that velamentous insertion of the umbilical cord should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of fetal distress accompanied with antepartum or intrapartum vaginal bleeding.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 6.1740383857554keywords = previa, vas (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/3. A prospective, randomized trial of nifedipine vs. ritodrine in threatened preterm labor.OBJECTIVES: To compare the tocolytic efficacy and maternal tolerance of nifedipine with ritodrine in the management of threatened preterm labor. methods: Prospective randomized study of 52 singleton pregnancies with preterm labor between 26 and 34 week's gestation. The capacity to delay delivery 48 h, 7 days, until week 36 or until fetal weight reached 2500 g were the outcome variables assessed. Doppler ultrasound studies were performed on the fetal umbilical artery as control. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in the delay of delivery, but significantly fewer maternal side-effects were found in the nifedipine group. Doppler ultrasound results were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: nifedipine is a valid and well-tolerated alternative among the tocolytic drugs, and apparently does not significantly alter fetal vascular blood flow.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.029006397625905keywords = vas (Clic here for more details about this article) |