Expression of VEGF in neonatal urinary obstruction: does expression of VEGF predict hydronephrosis?

Background: In animal studies, the inhibition of VEGF activity results in high mortality and impaired renal and glomerular development. Mechanical stimuli, like mechanical stretch in respiratory and circulatory systems, results in an elevated expression of VEGF. In animal models, the experimental urinary obstruction is associated with stretching of tubular cells and activations of the renin-angiotensin system.

Incidence and causes of maternal thrombocytopenia in triplet gestation.

Objective: To determine the incidence, clinical significance and causes of maternal thrombocytopenia in triplet gestations.

Study Design: The study population consisted of 150 patients with triplet gestation that delivered at our department between 1990 and 2008. Thrombocytopenia was defined as a platelet count <150,000/μL.

Characteristic laboratory changes in pregnancies complicated by HELLP syndrome.

Introduction: HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) is a severe, life-threatening form of preeclampsia. Its development is accompanied by significant increase in maternal, as well as fetal, morbidity, and mortality rates. It is essential, therefore, for obstetricians to be familiar with the disease.

[The maternal and fetal outcome of 122 triplet pregnancies].

Introduction: The wide use of infertility drugs and assisted reproduction has resulted in 4- to 5-fold increase in the incidence of triplet pregnancies, which carry an extremely high risk of maternal complications and adverse perinatal outcome. In Hungary, reduction of multifetal pregnancies is available for all pregnant women with multifetal gestation since 1998. The goal of the procedure is to ensure better outcome for surviving fetuses.

[Maternal age as a risk factor in triplet pregnancy].

Unlabelled: Upon the diagnosis of triplet conception, pregnant women should be counseled about the risk of triplet pregnancy and the chances of survival of triplet newborns. This information can help women with triplet gestations to make well-informed decisions whether to continue their pregnancy or to undergo multifetal pregnancy reduction.

Aim: To assess the maternal age as a risk factor in a large representative sample of the Hungarian triplet population with evaluation of maternal complications and perinatal results.

[Assessment of serum interleukin-6 with a rapid test. The diagnosis of neonatal sepsis can be established or ruled out].

Introduction: The mortality rate from sepsis is high and the risk of sepsis increases in prematurity in proportion to the decrease in birth weight.

Material And Method: The authors report the assessment of serum interleukin-6 levels in 12 term, at-risk newborn infants after birth and 60 VLBW neonates after detection of non-specific signs of infection or sepsis, treated in NICU at the Semmelweis University, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2005-2006. The serum IL-6 level with a rapid test (Milenia Quickline IL-6 and PicoScan system) was investigated.

[The outcome of triplet pregnancies at the First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University, in the last 15 years].

Introduction And Methods: The authors analysed the data of 307 live-birth newborns and premature infants who were born from 104 triplet pregnancies between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 2005 at the Semmelweis University First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Aims And Results: In 86% of the triplet pregnancies conception took place with the help of assisted reproduction technology, the number of which has rapidly increased in the last 15 years. 60% of the triplet pregnancies ended before the 34th week of gestation and the birth weight of more than one third of the infants was less than 1,500 grams.

[The rate of maternal complications in 107 pregnancies complicated with HELLP syndrome].

Introduction: HELLP syndrome (Haemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low platelet count) is a grave, life threatening form of preeclampsia, which was named by Weinstein in 1982, on the basis of characteristic changes in laboratory findings (haemolysis, elevated level of liver enzymes and thrombocytopenia).

Objective Of The Study: To assess the rate of maternal complications in HELLP syndrome.

Material And Methods: In the past ten years, 107 patients were treated for HELLP syndrome at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Semmelweis University.

[Congenital heart malformations is twin pregnancies].

Introduction: In twin pregnancies the risk for congenital heart malformation is higher than in singular pregnancies. Because of the development of prenatal diagnostic methods, it is possible to recognise congenital malformations. In point of view of congenital cardiac malformations the twin pregnancies belong to high risk group.

[Pathophysiology and therapeutic possibilities in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome].

Introduction: Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome is a threatening consequence of monochorionicity. Without therapeutic intervention it has approximately a 100% mortality rate, but due to therapeutic efforts it improved dramatically to about 20-50% mortality. It is caused by arteriovenosus anastomoses within the placenta, that causes hormonal changes, polyhydramnios, hypertension of the recipient and weight discordance.

Intrauterine left chamber myocardial infarction of the heart and hydrops fetalis in the recipient fetus due to twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

A rare complication of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is described: myocardial infarction of the recipient fetus. Myocardial infarction and hydrops are considered to be consequences of hypertension in the recipient. No other organs were affected.