Correlation between rare chromosomal abnormalities and prenatal ultrasound findings.

Our objective was to examine ultrasound findings with outcomes in cases of rare chromosomal abnormalities diagnosed during pregnancy. Results of cytogenetic studies obtained from amniocenteses and chorionic villus samplings (CVS) from 1994-2000 were reviewed. Only those examples of rare chromosomal abnormalities with little information on the associated outcome were included.

Acupuncture for cervical ripening and induction of labor at term--a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether acupuncture at term can influence cervical ripening, induce labor and thus reduce the need for postdates induction.

Methods: On the estimated date of confinement (EDC) women were prospectively randomized to an acupuncture group (AG) or a control group (CG). Data of 45 women were evaluated (AG, n = 25; CG, n = 20).

Factors associated with fetal demise in fetal echogenic bowel.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine risk factors associated with intrauterine fetal demise in fetuses with unexplained echogenic bowel that is diagnosed in the second trimester.

Study Design: A retrospective case-control study compared fetuses with echogenic bowel and fetal demise with fetuses with echogenic bowel who were live born. Fetuses affected with cystic fibrosis, aneuploidy, or congenital infection and fetuses diagnosed with major anomalies were excluded.

Ethical implications of aggressive obstetric management at less than 28 weeks of gestation.

Background: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcome of infants born between 23 and 28 completed weeks of gestational age for whom aggressive obstetric management was performed.

Methods: Prenatal data were collected retrospectively from medical records. Neonatal mortality, early morbidity, and the outcome at one year corrected for postconceptional age (corrected age) were determined.