Brachydactyly A-1 mutations restricted to the central region of the N-terminal active fragment of Indian Hedgehog.

Mutations in the gene Indian Hedgehog (IHH) that cause Brachydactyly A-1 (BDA1) have been restricted to a specific region of the N-terminal active fragment of Indian Hedgehog involving codons 95, 100, 131, and 154. We describe two novel mutations in codons 128 and 130, not previously implicated in BDA1. Furthermore, we identified an independent mutation at codon 131 and we also describe a New Zealand family, which carries the 'Farabee' founder mutation and haplotype.

Sleep duration and quality in healthy nulliparous and multiparous women across pregnancy and post-partum.

Background: Longitudinal studies of sleep during normal pregnancy and post-partum are rare, and interpretation of the findings is often hampered by methodological issues. Consequentially, there is still limited information on what constitutes normal sleep quality and quantity across pregnancy and early post-partum, for both nulliparous and multiparous women.

Aims: To quantify the change and variability in sleep duration and quality across pregnancy and post-partum for healthy nulliparous and multiparous women.

Women's health 18 years after rupture of the anal sphincter during childbirth: I. Fecal incontinence.

Objective: We studied the long-term outcome after an anal sphincter tear.

Study Design: From a cohort of 4569 women who gave birth in 1982 to 1983, we identified 445 (9.7%) who sustained a sphincter tear and 445 controls.

Women's health 18 years after rupture of the anal sphincter during childbirth: II. Urinary incontinence, sexual function, and physical and mental health.

Objective: We studied maternal health 18 years postpartum in women having sustained an anal sphincter tear and controls.

Study Design: We assessed symptoms with the short form of the urogenital distress inventory, the female sexual function index, and physical and mental health with the Short Form-12 summary scales.

Results: Women with a sphincter tear had no increased risk of urinary symptoms (54 of 251, 22%, versus 51 of 273, 19%, risk ratio 1.

Caesarean section in term nulliparous women at Wellington Hospital in 2001: a regional audit.

Aims: The aims of this audit were to determine the frequency of caesarean section (CS) in the Wellington region for term nulliparous women, to evaluate the local demographic and clinical factors associated with CS, and to assess the quality of clinical care.

Methods: Nulliparous women with singleton live pregnancies and a gestational age greater than and equal to 36 weeks who had a CS in Wellington Hospital during 1 January 2001 to 30 June 2001 were identified using a computerised database. The Hospital records were reviewed.

Red blood cell iso-immunisation in the Wellington area of New Zealand: the case for antenatal prophylaxis.

The present study aimed to calculate the rate of Rhesus D iso-immunisation during pregnancy in Wellington, New Zealand and to identify the timing of iso-immunisation. The notes of all women and their babies with positive antenatal anti-D antibody screens during the period 1994-2002 at the regional reference laboratory (Wellington Blood Transfusion Service) were reviewed to identify the antibody titre and the stage of pregnancy that the antibodies developed. Twelve percent of all tested pregnant women were Rhesus D negative and the annual immunisation rate during pregnancy was 1.

Pregnancy loss rate following routine genetic amniocentesis at Wellington Hospital.

Aims: To determine the institutional pregnancy loss rate following second-trimester genetic amniocentesis.

Methods: Data from 293 consecutive women who had routine genetic amniocentesis at Wellington Hospital from 1 January to 31 December 2001 were collected. The primary outcome measure was pregnancy loss rate up to 6-weeks post-procedure.