Umbilical cord diameter at 11-14 weeks of gestation: relation to chromosomal defects.

Objective: To determine the potential value of measuring umbilical cord diameter (UCD) at 11-14 weeks of gestation in screening for chromosomal defects.

Methods: The UCD was measured in 1323 fetuses immediately before chorionic villus sampling for karyotyping at 11-14 weeks of gestation. In the group of chromosomally normal fetuses, regression analysis was used to determine the association between UCD and crown-rump length (CRL).

Fetal nasal bone length in chromosomally normal and abnormal fetuses at 11-14 weeks of gestation.

Objective: To determine the value of measuring fetal nasal bone length at 11-14 weeks of gestation in screening for chromosomal defects.

Methods: The fetal profile was examined and the nasal bone length was measured in 1092 fetuses immediately before chorionic villous sampling for karyotyping at 11-14 weeks of gestation.

Results: The median gestation was 12 (11-14) weeks.

Cigarette smoking and the degree of maturation of the vaginal squamous epithelium in postmenopausal women.

To determine the effects of cigarette smoking on vaginal squamous epithelium in postmenopausal women, we studied the vaginal smear patterns of 199 healthy postmenopausal non-smokers and 41 healthy postmenopausal smokers, with a mean age of 56 years. A statistically significant difference to the hazard of smokers was found in the percentage of smears manifesting absence of maturation of vaginal squamous cells. A high incidence of atrophic-type vaginal smears in the group of smokers was also found independent of postmenopausal age.