Increased incidence of preeclampsia in mothers of advanced age conceiving by oocyte donation.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of preeclampsia in women of advanced age who conceived through donated oocytes as compared with natural conceptions.

Methods: A historical prospective study of singleton live births of parturients ≥ 45 years of age at four university hospitals was conducted. For the purpose of the study, the population was divided by the mode of conception into two groups: oocyte donation and natural conception.

The effects of maternal age and parity on maternal and neonatal outcome.

Purpose: Delayed childbearing is increasingly common; hence, concerns emerge regarding potential for additional risks of delivery at advanced maternal age (AMA; ≥35 years). In this study, we sought to assess impact of AMA and parity on maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Methods: In this retrospective single-center study (July 2005 to October 2011), we compared spontaneously-conceived singleton births of AMA mothers with spontaneously-conceived singletons of mothers aged 24-27 years.

Outcome of pregnancies in women receiving velaglucerase alfa for Gaucher disease.

Aim: Pregnancy and delivery are affected by and - in turn - impact signs and symptoms of Gaucher disease (GD). Prior to enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), the reported missed abortions rate was 25%, with worsening of anemia and thrombocytopenia, with increased frequency of post-partum hemorrhage, puerperal fever and bone crises during pregnancy. ERT with imiglucerase reduced these adverse events.

Effect of thrombocytopenia on mode of analgesia/anesthesia and maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Objectives: The purpose was to correlate the use of regional analgesia/anasthesia among women with different degrees of thrombocytopenia relative to women with normal platelet counts, and note maternal and neonatal outcome, and mode of delivery.

Methods: A case-control paradigm was developed based on women who delivered during 2007-2011 with platelet counts ≤80 000/mm(3). For each woman in this "severe" thrombocytopenic group, an age- and parity-matched control was found who delivered a singleton within the same year but whose platelets were either 81 000-150 000/mm(3) ("moderate" thrombocytopenia) or ≥151 000/mm(3) (normal platelet counts).

The management of pregnancy in Gaucher disease.

Gaucher disease (GD), characterized by deficient acid β-glucosidase activity, is the most common lysosomal storage disorder. The disease is progressive with manifestations that include anemia, thrombocytopenia, organomegaly and bone disease. Pregnancy has the potential to exacerbate these manifestations, compounding the risk of complications during pregnancy, delivery and postpartum.

The female Gaucher patient: the impact of enzyme replacement therapy around key reproductive events (menstruation, pregnancy and menopause).

Background: The principal manifestations of type 1 Gaucher disease (GD) (increased risk of bleeding, anaemia, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly and bone disease) are likely to affect females during reproductive events such as menarche and menstruation; fertility, pregnancy, parity, delivery and lactation; and menopause. In order to determine the optimal management of female Gaucher patients based on available data, we examine reproductive events and GD in untreated and alglucerase and/or imiglucerase-treated females.

Methods: A panel of international clinicians experienced in the management of GD reviewed and presented evidence from peer-reviewed literature, a pharmacovigilance database on imiglucerase, and their own clinical experience to support discussions and recommendations.

Prenatal diagnosis of intestinal pseudo-obstruction.

The appearance of polyhydramnios and dilated bowel loops on prenatal sonographic examination usually implies mechanical obstruction. The prognosis is variable, depending on the etiology. Congenital pseudo-obstruction, a potentially lethal disease, comprises a group of disorders characterized by intestinal obstruction in the absence of an anatomic lesion.

The pattern of Protease Activated Receptor 1 (PAR1) expression in endometrial carcinoma.

Objective: Protease Activated Receptors (PARs) form a family of G-protein-coupled proteins uniquely activated by proteolytic cleavage. While the role of either soluble or matrix-immobilized protease in tumor invasion is well established, the part of cell surface PARs is beginning to emerge. We sought to investigate the expression pattern of Protease Activated Receptor 1 (hPar1) in endometrial carcinoma, the most common type of gynecological malignancy.

Pregnancies in Gaucher disease: a 5-year study.

Objective: The study was undertaken to investigate the outcome of pregnancies in Gaucher disease, particularly in enzyme-treated women.

Study Design: A retrospective study was performed of pregnant women evaluated at a referral clinic.

Results: There were 43 (17 treated, 26 untreated) women with 66 pregnancies (23 treated, 43 untreated).

Bell palsy complicating pregnancy: a review.

Unlabelled: The aim of the present work was to review the published evidence on the association of Bell palsy (BP), an acute idiopathic peripheral facial paralysis of unknown etiology, with pregnancy. Reports have shown that women of reproductive age are affected two to four times more often than men of the same age, and pregnant women 3.3 times more often than nonpregnant women.

Umbilical artery blood flow velocity in pregnancies complicated by systemic lupus erythematosus.

Purpose: We evaluated the role of umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry in the surveillance of pregnancies complicated by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: We retrospectively studied 56 women with SLE whose pregnancies were managed at our perinatal center between 1988 and 1995.

Results: Absent or reversed end-diastolic flow velocity was detected in 6 (11%) of 56 patients.

Effects of erythromycin on contractility of isolated myometrium from pregnant rats.

Objective: Erythromycin is a stimulant of motor activity in the stomach, but its effects on the uterus have not been studied and only its antibiotic properties have been considered in the treatment of idiopathic preterm labor. The objective of this study was to characterize in vitro the effect of erythromycin on the contractility of the pregnant rat uterus.

Study Design: Myometrial strips from pregnant rats were suspended in tissue baths Isometric contractions were monitored by force transducers in response to various agents that were added to the bath solution.

Use of enzyme replacement therapy for Gaucher disease during pregnancy.

Objective: To date there has been little published experience with enzyme replacement therapy in pregnant women with symptomatic type I Gaucher disease.

Study Design: We describe six patients, including three with repeated early pregnancy loss, five of whom successfully carried pregnancies to term; the last pregnancy was terminated because of pulmonary hypertension.

Results: All pregnancies were uneventful and five resulted in healthy newborns.

Gynecologic and obstetric aspects of Gaucher's disease: a survey of 53 patients.

Objective: We report our experience on the gynecologic and obstetric features of 53 female patients with Gaucher's disease.

Study Design: Each patient was interviewed for a detailed medical history, and all underwent a complete physical examination and laboratory work-up.

Results: Delay of puberty onset was encountered in two thirds of the patients without subsequent infertility.

Primary lymphoma of the ovary. A case report and critical review of the literature.

Primary lymphoma of the ovary is an extremely rare cause of ovarian mass. Few cases have been recorded in English literature, and controversy still exists as to the existence of such an entity. We present a case whose diagnosis can be supported by rigorous diagnostic criteria--a long follow-up after surgery with only one course of adjunctive polychemotherapy.

Conservative surgical management of acute abdomen caused by placenta percreta in the second trimester.

Placenta percreta accompanied by intraabdominal hemorrhage and acute abdomen in the second trimester is described. Suturing the myometrial defect created by the protruding placenta prolonged the pregnancy and achieved a viable fetus. Successful achievement of hemostasis, prolongation of the pregnancy, and survival of mother and fetus should encourage "conservative" surgery.

The management of labor in women with more than one uterine scar: is a repeat cesarean section really the only "safe" option?

A prospective trial to investigate feasibility of vaginal delivery after more than one cesarean section, and the safety of vaginal delivery for mother and neonate. Twenty-six pregnant women with a history of two or more cesarean sections were admitted to the delivery room and accepted trial of labor under internal fetal and uterine monitoring. Epidural anesthesia and oxytocin were applied when needed.