The association of isolated mild fetal hydronephrosis with postnatal vesicoureteral reflux.

Objective: We evaluated the incidence of vesicoureteral reflux in fetuses with prenatally detected isolated mild fetal hydronephrosis.

Methods: Fetuses with isolated mild fetal hydronephrosis (defined as a fetal renal pelvis anteroposterior diameter of > or = 4 and < 10 mm before 24 weeks' gestational age) were prospectively evaluated with postnatal renal ultrasound and voiding cystourethrography within the first few weeks after delivery. Infants were evaluated regardless of whether or not renal pelvic dilatation was seen on postnatal ultrasound examination.

Intrauterine correction of factor VIII (FVIII) deficiency.

This is the first published report documenting the successful use of intrauterine infusion of factor VIII (FVIII) in order to reduce the risk of intracranial haemorrhage in a foetus with documented haemophilia A. This approach provides another option for management of newborns with documented coagulation factor deficiency. The subsequent development of an inhibitor directed against FVIII is believed to be related to exposure to exogenous FVIII in the presence of an inversion mutation and not to the intrauterine procedure.

In utero erythrocyte transfusion for fetal xerocytosis associated with severe anemia and non-immune hydrops fetalis.

Hereditary xerocytosis is a rare hemolytic anemia occurring secondary to a defect in cell membrane potassium flux. We report a case of severe fetal anemia and non-immune hydrops secondary to hereditary xerocytosis that was managed successfully with in utero erythrocyte and albumin transfusion.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma in pregnancy.

A 37-year-old pregnant woman presented at 18 weeks' gestation with unrelenting chest and shoulder pain, massive pleural effusion, and a large thoracic mass. Biopsy revealed an undifferentiated sarcomatous pleural mesothelioma. Malignant mesothelioma is a rare thoracic malignancy, which has not been described in pregnancy and appears to be minimally affected by the pregnant state.

Risk factors for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism during pregnancy or post partum: a population-based, case-control study.

Objective: We sought to determine risk factors for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism during pregnancy or post partum.

Study Design: We performed a population-based case-control study. All Olmsted County, Minnesota, residents with a first lifetime deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism during pregnancy or post partum from 1966 to 1990 were identified (N = 90).