[Rapid prenatal diagnosis of cystic fibrosis using the polymerase chain reaction: results of the first 5 cases].

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive lethal disease with an incidence in Slovakia of 1 affected in 1800 newborns. Within a year the incidence amounts to about 50 cases. Though the responsible gene has already been cloned, the only effective approach to prevention is prenatal diagnosis in the first and second trimester of pregnancy.

[Intersexual differences in the levels of trace elements in amniotic fluid in the 2d trimester of pregnancy].

The authors assessed during comprehensive examination of amniotic fluid obtained by transabdominal amniocentesis on account of genetic indication during the second trimester of normal pregnancy between the 15th and 22nd week of gestation four selected trace elements - Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd, using the method of atomic absorption spectrometry. One of the criteria for evaluation of the results was also the relationship of the concentration of the selected trace elements and sex of the foetus. In 157 amniotic fluids collected during the 16th-19th week of gestation they recorded a significantly elevated lead level in male foetuses.