WT1 mutations in Meacham syndrome suggest a coelomic mesothelial origin of the cardiac and diaphragmatic malformations.

Meacham syndrome is a rare sporadically occurring multiple malformation syndrome characterized by male pseudohermaphroditism with abnormal internal female genitalia comprising a uterus and double or septate vagina, complex congenital heart defect and diaphragmatic abnormalities. We report on eight new cases of this condition, two of whom were shown to have heterozygous missense mutations in the C-terminal zinc finger domains of WT1: Arg366Cys and Arg394Trp. These data represent clinical and molecular evidence that the WT1 gene plays a central role in normal development of the diaphragm and the proepicardially derived tissues.

Neonatal death following termination of pregnancy.

The aim of this study was to look at neonatal death following termination of pregnancy in 31 cases over a six-year period in our region and to determine why this was occurring. We have highlighted two main areas of concern: failure to perform feticide in keeping with RCOG advice, and classification and registration below the clinical limit of viability. In these circumstances, appropriate counselling of the family and an antenatal plan for the postnatal care of the dying infant made prior to delivery are essential.

Fetal brain activity and hemodynamic response to a vibroacoustic stimulus.

Previous studies have demonstrated the practicality of using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques to assess fetal brain activity. The purpose of this study was to compare the fetal hemodynamic response to that of the adult. Seventeen pregnant subjects, all of whom were at more than 36 weeks gestation were scanned while the fetus was exposed to a vibroacoustic stimulus.

Fetal brain activity in response to a visual stimulus.

Previous studies have demonstrated the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to assess fetal brain activity. To extend these studies, a fetal fMRI experiment using a visual stimulus has been performed at 0.5 T.