Delaying Reproductive Aging by Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation and Transplantation: Is it Prime Time?

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and autotransplantation can restore ovarian endocrine function and fertility and recently were changed from experimental to fertility preservation procedures for medical indications by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. Such advances have resulted in discussions around the utility of ovarian cryopreservation in healthy women to preserve fertility and delay menopause or as a hormone replacement approach. Such 'elective' use of ovarian tissue cryopreservation requires a risk-benefit assessment.

Transatlantic Air Travel in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy: Does It Affect the Fetus?

Most commercial airlines allow pregnant women to fly up to 36 weeks of gestation. Available information suggests that noise, vibration, and cosmic radiation present a small risk for the pregnant air traveler. The goal of the study was to assess the possible effect of transatlantic flights on the condition of the third-trimester fetus.

Successful pregnancy outcome in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, vascular type.

Background: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a rare connective tissue disorder characterized by tissue fragility, translucent skin and joint hypermobility. Patients with the vascular type of EDS are prone to spontaneous arterial and visceral rupture. Pregnancy for women with vascular EDS can be life-threatening.

Does viewing of surgical specimen improve patient satisfaction? A cohort study.

The purpose of this study was to assess a cohort of patients who underwent elective gynecologic surgery to determine whether viewing of intraoperative photographic images by patients played a role in patient satisfaction. Three hundred and eighteen patients participated in this study, out of which 159 patients were assigned to view the operative photographic pictures and 159 were not. According to the results obtained in this study, a greater number of women who viewed their operative photographic pictures, expressed satisfaction in comparison to those who did not.

Ultrasonic biophysical measurements in the normal human fetus for optimal design of the monolithic fetal pacemaker.

Ultrasound measurements, including xiphoid-to-pericardial distance and deployment angle, were made on human fetuses as a function of gestational age for the purpose of assessing the likelihood of 3 failure modes of a monolithic fetal pacemaker, including primary positioning failure due to device length and secondary dislodgement failure due to somatic growth. The small variation of the measurements over the gestational age range relevant to device implantation for the major indications of the device (for complete heart block complicated by hydrops and for bradycardia risk after fetal surgery or intrauterine intervention) predicts a small likelihood of these failure modes.

Soft forceps.

Objective: The risk of maternal and fetal trauma and, chiefly, the fear of law suits, have contributed to a significant decline in rates of forceps-assisted deliveries and an increase in rates of cesarean sections, especially in the United States. Our experience with gas-sterilized forceps blades covered with a soft rubber coating--the "soft" forceps--is described.

Method: Ninety-six women who required a forceps-assisted delivery for standard indications were randomly allocated to 2 groups.

In utero meconium suctioning may prevent meconium aspiration.

Objective: To assess usefulness of in utero meconium suctioning using endoscopic approach.

Materials And Methods: In utero meconium suctioning under direct endoscopic visualization was successfully performed in 11 fetuses in whom thick meconium was detected upon rupture of the membranes. A gas-sterilized flexible fiberoptic scope with an operational channel was introduced via cervix, and meconium was aspirated from the fetal mouth.

Eyelid movements in normal human fetuses.

Purpose: We undertook this study to investigate the characteristics of blinking activity in healthy human fetuses.

Methods: Blinking activity was studied sonographically in healthy fetuses between 33 and 42 weeks' menstrual age. Horizontal and coronal sonographic views of the eye were obtained and videotaped.

Viral studies on amniotic fluid from fetuses with and without abnormalities detected by prenatal sonography.

Objective: To study the prevalence of viruses (cytomegalovirus [CMV] adenoviruses and enteroviruses) in amniotic fluid samples from fetuses with and without anomalies detected by prenatal sonography.

Study Design: Fluid samples obtained aseptically from 474 women undergoing genetic amniocentesis at our institutions from 1995 to 1996 were stored at -20 degrees C. Fetal anomalies (renal, central nervous system, gastrointestinal and cardiac) were detected by ultrasound in 162 of the fetuses.

The monolithic fetal pacemaker: prototype lead design for closed thorax deployment.

Prenatal sudden cardiac death and hydrops fetalis are often due to complete heart block. However, no pacing modality exists for intrauterine application for fetal bradycardia. A prototype lead for a novel fetal pacemaker has been developed and used in a direct pacing model.

"Endoview" project of intrapartum endoscopy.

Introduction: The change in obstetrical practices over the last decade in favor of trials of labor in patients with uterine scars has resulted in increased incidences of uterine ruptures. Although neither repeat cesarean delivery nor a trial of labor is risk free, evidence from a large multicenter study shows vaginal birth after the cesarean (VBAC) is associated with shorter hospital stays, fewer postpartum blood transfusions, and a decreased incidence of postpartum maternal fever. The uterine rupture remains the most serious complication associated with VBAC.

Intra-amniotic bleeding and fetal echogenic bowel.

Objective: To assess the relationship between intra-amniotic bleeding and fetal echogenic bowel.

Methods: Comprehensive fetal ultrasound examinations were done before and 12 hours after fetal transfusions. Follow-up ultrasound examinations were done weekly in 28 fetuses with intra-amniotic bleeding.

Effect of antenatal steroid administration on the fetal biophysical profile.

Purpose: Our objective was to determine whether antenatal steroid administration affects the biophysical profile score in fetuses.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted in 84 fetuses between 28 and 34 weeks' menstrual age at risk of preterm delivery. Two intramuscular injections of 12 mg of betamethasone were given to the mother 24 hours apart.

Fetal heart rate monitoring casebook. Checkmark fetal heart rate pattern and normal neonatal outcome.

Background: A checkmark pattern of the fetal heart rate (FHR) had been seen in association with hypoxia in human and animal fetuses.

Case: We report a checkmark pattern in a fetus of a 26-year-old primigravida who underwent induction of labor at term. Scalp pH was 7.

Lateral nasal proboscis: antenatal diagnosis and counseling.

Background: Lateral nasal proboscis is a rare anomaly resulting in incomplete formation of one side of the nose and other variable abnormalities in the adjoining regions of the face, without associated brain malformations. We report a case diagnosed antenatally and confirmed after birth of the infant.

Case: A 32-year-old white gravida 2 para 1 was referred for a comprehensive fetal ultrasound at 30.

Fetal yawning activity in normal and high-risk fetuses: a preliminary observation.

Objective: To study yawning activity in healthy fetuses and in fetuses at high risk.

Methods: Yawning activity was studied in 16 healthy and 22 high-risk fetuses. Studies were performed in the postprandial state at 09.