Fetal growth curves for an ethnically diverse military population: the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine-accredited platform experience.

Objective: To determine which fetal growth curve provided the best estimates of fetal weight for a cohort of ethnically diverse patients at sea level.

Methods: The study consisted of a population of 1,729 fetuses examined at sea level between January 1, 1997, and June 30, 2000, at 18 weeks, 28 weeks, and term. Gestational age (GA) based on menstrual dates was confirmed or adjusted by crown-rump length or early second-trimester biometry.

Natural history of twin gestation complicated by in utero fetal demise: associations of chorionicity, prematurity, and maternal morbidity.

Objectives: To evaluate the pathophysiology by which the in utero death of 1 twin might increase morbidity to its co-twin survivor and its mother. To assess previously reported risks for maternal disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, peripartal hemorrhage, retained placenta and infection, as well as the fetal risk of prematurity.

Material And Methods: A retrospective analysis of the natural history of twin pregnancies from three institutions was performed.

Ethical use of tissue samples in genetic research.

Many centrally based cancer protocols have begun to address the ethical issues concerning tissue banking for genetic research. A multidisciplinary subcommittee of the Madigan Army Medical Center Institutional Review Board was established to determine the scope of the problem and offer a concise, user-friendly policy with guidelines on how to control and monitor the use of stored tissue for future genetic and molecular research. Our institution participates in 69 Southern Oncology Group or National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project protocols and 47 Children's Oncology Group protocols.

Multifetal pregnancies: evolution of methods of initiation and impact of REI certification for patients seeking reduction.

Objective: Multifetal pregnancy as a result of ovulation induction (OI) and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) correlate with Board certification in reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI).

Design: Retrospective chart analysis of 304 patients referred to Wayne State University (WSU) and Thomas Jefferson University (TJU) for multifetal pregnancy reduction (MFPR) from March 1986 to January 1995 compared to 275 patients referred from January 1 to December 31, 2000 at MCP Hahnemann University.

Material And Methods: Chart review for fetal number, pregnancy generation (OI or ART) and physician REI Board certification from the American Board of Specialties Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Mentoring for the New Millennium.

The challenges and benefits of a formal mentoring program are considered within the context of learning organizations: specifically, graduate medical education and professional development. While no single definition addresses every aspect of mentoring, this process is a distinct one with established traditions and expectations. The core requirements of attraction, action and affect remain and are essential for this adult developmental process to be successful.

The effect of fetal acidemia on fetal-placental vascular tone and production of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Objective: Our purpose was to determine the effects of fetal acidemia on placental vascular tone and production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).

Study Design: With use of an ex vivo placental perfusion model, the maternal and fetal circulation of two cotyledons from five human placentas were perfused for 4 hours. The fetal circulation of one cotyledon was perfused with acidemic (pH 6.

Relationship between the extent of histologic villous mineralization and stillbirth in aneuploid and euploid fetuses.

Objective: To describe the relationship between the degree of placental histologic villous mineralization (VM) and stillbirth in aneuploid and euploid fetuses.

Methods: The extent of VM for aneuploid and gestational age-matched euploid placentas was graded semiquantitatively on a 0 to 3 scale based on the number of terminal or stem villi containing mineralizations in forty x10 fields of view. The extent of VM was analyzed in relation to fetal status at delivery (liveborn or stillborn) for both aneuploid and euploid fetuses.

Maternal ethnicity and variation of fetal femur length calculations when screening for Down syndrome.

Objective: To determine whether current methods for detecting Down syndrome based on fetal femur length calculations are influenced by ethnicity.

Methods: The study population consisted of all fetuses scanned between 14 and 20 completed weeks' gestation from April 1, 1997, to January 1, 2000. The expected femur length was calculated from the biparietal diameter.