Evolution of the amniotic sac and extracelomic space as seen by early ultrasound examination.

Objective: Amniotic sac and extracelomic space changes occurring from 5 to 14 weeks of pregnancy were observed with transvaginal ultrasound to gain new insights into their normal relationships during this time period.

Study Design: Ninety-seven women from 5 to 15 weeks' gestation were enrolled in the study. Gestational age was determined by measuring embryonic crown-rump length.

Arterial and venous Doppler velocimetry in the severely growth-restricted fetus and associations with adverse perinatal outcome.

Objective: To evaluate the association between arterial and venous Doppler waveforms and adverse perinatal outcome in severe intrauterine growth restriction.

Design: Fetuses between 26 and 32 weeks' gestation with ultrasonographically estimated fetal weight below the 5th centile were included in this prospective study. The last Doppler measurements of the umbilical artery, ductus venosus, umbilical vein and middle cerebral artery before delivery and adverse outcome parameters without gestational age independence were used for statistical analysis.

The effect of intravascular blood transfusion on the flow velocity waveform of the portal venous system of the anemic fetus.

Our objective was to assess flow velocity waveforms of the portal venous system of the anemic fetus prior to and immediately following intravascular transfusion. Color-guided pulsed Doppler was used to obtain flow velocity waveforms from the fetal portal vein in 14 anemic fetuses that were transfused in utero for rhesus alloimmunization The portal vein velocity pattern was defined as continuous when no change in velocity during the cardiac cycle was noted. It was defined as pulsatile when a deflection of the wave was present.

Ultrasonographically adjusted midtrimester risk of trisomy 21 and significant chromosomal defects in advanced maternal age.

Objective: Our purpose was to determine whether normal midtrimester ultrasonography results reduces the risk of fetal Down syndrome and any clinically significant chromosomal defects in pregnancies with advanced maternal age and to develop risk tables on the basis of age and ultrasonographic results.

Study Design: Biometry data were obtained in 4079 women between 15 and 24 weeks undergoing amniocentesis for maternal age. Expected values of humerus, femur, both combined, and abdominal circumference based on biparietal diameter were generated from a normal group.

[Hematocrit and hemoglobin, parameters of hematic viscosity, in pregnancy-induced hypertension].

During pregnancy because of physiologic hemodiluition and changes in various plasma protein levels, plasma viscosity is decreased compared to the non pregnant condition. Specifically the whole blood viscosity profile throughout pregnancy follows that of the hematocrit. However some pathological condition like pregnancy induced hypertension and intrauterine growth retardation are characterized by an increase of plasma viscosity.