Is there value for serial ultrasonographic assessment of cervical lengths after a cerclage?

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the value of serial ultrasonographic cervical length (CL) measurements after cerclage to predict preterm delivery.

Study Design: Retrospective ultrasonographic and outcome data from singleton pregnancies with cerclage were reviewed. Using transvaginal ultrasound (TVS), overall CL obtained before cerclage placement, 2 weeks after cerclage, and before delivery were compared between women who delivered preterm (less than 37 weeks) and term.

A retrospective review of isoimmunized pregnancies managed by middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical outcome of isoimmunized pregnancies managed primarily by middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity.

Study Design: A retrospective chart review was conducted of isoimmunized pregnancies that underwent ultrasound examinations from January 1, 2001, through May 1, 2003. Ultrasound reports, laboratory tests, and maternal and neonatal charts were reviewed.

Familial abdominal wall defects.

We report 2 families, each having multiple sibs with abdominal wall defects. In family 1, normal parents gave birth to identical (monochorionic, diamniotic) twins. This is the first reported case of gastroschisis occurring in monozygotic twins.

Relationship of maternal weight status to selected pregnancy events.

The relationship of maternal weight status to the probability of appearance of one or a combination of three or more undesirable pregnancy events ( UPE ) was analyzed. A total of 711 women presenting for prenatal care before 16 weeks estimated gestational age were categorized according to early pregnancy body mass ( EPBM ) and subsequent weight gain. Statistical analysis revealed weight gain related to the appearance of one UPE only in women with an EPBM less than 120 pounds.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: report of fourteen cases--occurrence during pregnancy and response to plasma exchange.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a syndrome of diverse etiology probably related to factors regulating platelet-vessel wall interaction, is predominantly a disorder of women. We report our experience with 14 patients in an 11-year period. Thirteen were female and aged between 25-69 years.

Colloid osmotic pressure changes during hypertensive pregnancy.

Colloid osmotic pressure (COP) was measured in maternal serum of normal and hypertensive gravidae, and in their amniotic fluid. Both normal and hypertensive gravidae in the third trimester at bed rest and those treated for hypertension have low COP. Likewise, postpartum women may have low serum COP values apparently unrelated to any disease process.

Fetal distress in term pregnancies.

A diagnosis of fetal distress was made in 75 term obstetrical patients from a population of 3,972 term deliveries. Twenty-three percent of the infants were scored 6 or less on the 5-minute Apgar rating. One or more determinations of fetal scalp pH were available in 27 of these patients.

Extraperitoneal cesarean section revisited.

A retrospective analysis was made of 186 consecutive primary cesarean sections performed on patients at high risk for infection to determine whether extraperitoneal cesarean section would have decreased the incidence of infections and other complications. Women who theoretically would have benefited most from extraperitoneal cesarean section were not candidates for the procedure because of technical reasons, while those who would have been candidates for the procedure did very well despite the fact that the procedure was not done. Except for somen with severe toxemia, prophylactic antibiotics markedly reduced febrile morbidity.

Delivery of the tiny newborn.

Obstetric factors related to the survival of 100 newborn infants weighing between 800 and 1,350 grams were analyzed. Available data suggest that maternal intrapartum antibiotic and steroid administration and delivery by classical cesarean section are associated with increased newborn survival.

Severe edema-proteinuria-hypertension gestosis.

Severe edema-proteinuria-hypertension (EPH) gestosis (pre-eclampsia) appears in at least two forms (A and B). The A type is mostly complicated by fits, while the B type is characterized by multiple organ failure. The perinatal mortality rate is especially high in the B group.

Effects of x-ray on a gravida with severe hemoconcentration: a case report.

A gravida with severe hemoconcentration was studied with intravenous urography because of right upper quadrant pain. She subsequently developed renal failure. The potential hazard of urography in the presence of a severe blood volume contraction state is noted.

Fetal reacting bradycardia.

Acute and abrupt fetal bradycardia are considered to be vagal in origin. In addition to head compression and funis compression bradycardias, we will report on those acute fetal bradycardias occurring during maternal seizures and maternal voiding, during aortocaval compression, during terminal labor, and during the immediate postpartum period. While certain mechanisms are known which can explain some or parts of these bradycardias, we conclude that in the clinical setting information is insufficient to determine their etiology with precision.

Pituitary tumors in patients with secondary amenorrhea.

This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of radiologically detectable pituitary tumors among patients seen initially in a gynecology clinic for a complaint of secondary amenorrhea. In a group of 144 women with secondary amenorrhea of more than 6 months' duration, 13 had radiologic abnormalities of the sella turcica detectable with standard skull films without tomography. These gynecologic patients composed more than half of the women in the reproductive age group who were diagnosed at this medical center as having a pituitary tumor.

Post--paracervical block bradycardia: its prediction and preventability.

The fetal heart rate recordings of 100 parturients given PCB with less than 200 mg. of lidocaine were reviewed. No PCB bradycardia occurred if there were no pre-PCB FHR decelerations (92 per cent accuracy).

Fetal cardiac interval recorder.

A recorder is described which is capable of continuously measuring intervals between two events of the fetal cardiac cycle, as well as functioning as a routine intrapartum monitor. We have primarily measured the interval between the R wave of the fetal ECG and the second fetal heart sound (R-S2), but the recorder is also capable of measuring R-R, R-A0 (opening of aortic valve), R-Pl (placenta), and R-Sc (scalp) intervals. In the discussion, we endeavor to show that these intervals reflect fetal cardiac performance, which is altered by drugs and acidemia.

Intrapartum hypertension and intravenous saline.

Four hundred women in labor were given, on a random basis, either 5 per cent dextrose in water or 5 per cent dextrose in normal saline infusions. Normotensive parturients receiving saline showed an increased incidence of elevated blood pressure during labor or postpartum while hypertensive parturients showed no significant increase in mean arterial blood pressure. Fetal serum sodium levels were not affected by whether the mother had received either the dextrose or saline intravenous solution.