Oral contraceptives and the absolute risk of venous thromboembolism in women with single or multiple thrombophilic defects: results from a retrospective family cohort study.

Background: The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in women taking combined oral contraceptives (COCs) is attributed to changes in coagulation and fibrinolysis. Their impact may be greater in women with preexistent thrombophilic defects.

Methods: We assessed the effects of COCs on absolute VTE risk in women with single or multiple thrombophilic defects in a retrospective family cohort study.

High-resolution 1H NMR spectroscopy of amniotic fluids from spina bifida fetuses and controls.

Objective: To quantify proton containing metabolites by in vitro 1H NMR spectroscopy of amniotic fluids from fetuses with spina bifida and controls.

Study Design: Fourteen amniotic fluids from spina bifida fetuses and 18 controls were obtained. Concentrations of carbohydrates, organic acids and amino acids were determined.

Decreased relative brain tissue levels of inositol in fetal hydrocephalus.

Objective: Inositol seems to play a role in the development of the central nervous system. In this study, the brain tissue level of inositol in fetal hydrocephalus was compared with that of healthy control subjects.

Study Design: Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to examine the inositol over creatine ratio in the brain of 10 hydrocephalic human fetuses and 36 normal control subjects.