Immunological Efficacy of Pneumococcal Vaccination Including the 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in Adult Patients With Sickle Cell Disease: Results of the Randomized DREVAC Controlled Trial.

Background: Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at high risk for invasive pneumococcal diseases. The immunological efficacy of 13-valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13) followed by a 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) is poorly documented in adults with SCD.

Methods: This was a randomized open-labeled phase 2 study of the immunogenicity of PCV13 at week 0, followed by PPSV23 at week 4, compared with PPSV23 alone at week 4 in adult patients with SCD.

Blake's Pouch Cysts and Differential Diagnoses in Prenatal and Postnatal MRI : A Pictorial Review.

Purpose: The clinical variability of Blake's pouch cysts (BPC) may range from asymptomatic via ataxia to sequelae of decompensated hydrocephalus. On the other hand, Dandy-Walker malformation (DWM) and cerebellar vermis hypoplasia generally correlate with less favorable neurologic development. The aim was to illustrate the potential of prenatal and postnatal neuroimaging to distinguish a BPC or persistent BP from other posterior fossa malformations.

Factors predicting severe perineal trauma during childbirth: role of forceps delivery routinely combined with mediolateral episiotomy.

Objective: Anal sphincter injury and its sequelae are a recognized complication of vaginal childbirth. The aim of the present study was to identify risk factors for third- and fourth-degree perineal tears in patients undergoing either spontaneous or vaginal-assisted delivery by forceps routinely combined with mediolateral episiotomy.

Study Design: We retrospectively reviewed 5377 vaginal deliveries based on the analysis of the obstetric database and patient records of our department during a 5-year period from 1999 to 2003.

Increased nuchal translucency and decreased fetomaternal transfusion after chorionic villus sampling.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between nuchal translucency (NT) and fetomaternal transfusion (FMT) after chorionic villus sampling (CVS).

Methods: The level of FMT was determined in 272 viable, singleton pregnancies in which 10-14-week ultrasound scanning, NT measurement and CVS for fetal karyotyping had been performed. The pre-CVS NT was measured transvaginally, and the women were divided into two groups, i.