Publications by authors named "W E Merz"
Background: Previous studies in mouse, and zebrafish embryos show strong expression in progenitor cells of neuronal and neural crest tissues suggesting its involvement in neural crest specification. However, the role of human transcription factor activator protein 2 ( in human embryonic central nervous system (CNS), orofacial and maxillofacial development is unknown.
Methods: Through a collaborative work, exome survey was performed in families with congenital CNS, orofacial and maxillofacial anomalies.
Article Synopsis
- Rasmussen's encephalitis (RE) is a rare disorder causing severe seizures and brain atrophy in children, often requiring surgical intervention when treatments fail.
- A case study highlights a woman who had a left hemispherectomy at age seven and successfully went through two pregnancies, experiencing temporary worsening of her symptoms during each but returning to her baseline afterward.
- This situation underscores the lack of data on RE and pregnancy, emphasizing the need for careful monitoring and an interdisciplinary approach to ensure the health and safety of both mother and child during and after pregnancy.
Pregnancies in women with Fontan circulation are on the rise, and they are known to imply high maternal and fetal complication rates. The altered hemodynamic profile of univentricular circulation affects placental development and function. This study describes placental sonomorphologic appearance and Doppler examinations and correlates these to histopathologic findings and pregnancy outcomes in women with Fontan circulation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInfective endocarditis requiring mitral valve replacement during pregnancy is a rare event. We present a case of infective endocarditis of the mitral valve during second trimester and report maternal and perinatal outcomes. Prompt identification and interdisciplinary treatment is crucial; maternal and fetal follow-up including serial fetal neurosonography is recommended.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Pregnancies in women with pre-existing medical conditions are on the rise. These pregnancies are characterized by an increased rate of maternal and perinatal complications, which can result in higher health care expenditures and altered pregnancy experiences. The purpose of this study is to integrally analyze maternity care for women with pre-existing conditions in the framework of a risk-adapted, interdisciplinary care by recording three substantial parts of maternity care: (1) maternal and perinatal outcome; (2) hospital costs and reimbursements covering the period from preconception counseling or initial antenatal visit to discharge after birth; and (3) women's experience of reproductive choice and becoming a mother in the presence of a pre-existing condition.
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