In uteroventriculo-amniotic shunt for hydrocephalus.

Introduction: Hydrocephalus is one of the most common congenital anomalies affecting the central nervous system especially in developing countries for several reasons including prohibition of abortion in many countries. The technological advances in methods of intrauterine diagnosis of congenital malformation made it possible to detect early enlargement of the ventricles and diagnose hydrocephalus as early as 15 weeks of gestational age. Many trials of intrauterine shunting proved unsuccessful, mainly because of complications such as intra- or extracranial shunt migration, obstruction, infection, and malposition.

Trends in perinatal mortality at king fahd hospital of the university, Al-khobar, saudi arabia: a ten years study.

Objective: The aim of the study is to identify the major causes of perinatal mortality and to determine the main maternal factors which affect perinatal mortality at the King Fahd Hospital of the University (KFHU), Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted covering a period of ten years from January 1987 to December 1996. All 548 perinatal deaths, which occurred during that period, were analyzed according to Wigglesworth classification.