[Lead, mercury and cadmium in newborn infants and their mothers].

The objective of the present study was to determine the toxic trace element status of 51 healthy Austrian women and their newborn babies. Lead, mercury and cadmium content of early breast milk, blood and urine were measured post partum by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. None of the toxic trace elements could be found in elevated concentrations; the content of mercury and cadmium in milk was below limits of detection.

[Dermal scars on the trunk of a newborn infant--a case of isolated amniotic band syndrome].

We report about a neonate with multiple scars born at our department. The cause of these alterations is the amniotic band disruption complex which will be discussed. This case is of forensic importance because the mother was battered in the 22nd week of gestation.

[Surgery of prolapse and incontinence in Austria--current status and prospects].

In early 1989, we sent a questionnaire to all 89 Departments of Gynaecology in Austria. Questions covered the number and type of gynaecological operations performed, perioperative management, and diagnosis and treatment of descent and urinary incontinence. 90% of questionnaires were returned.

[Introital sonography--a new method in the diagnosis of bladder function].

In this study we introduce a non-invasive sonographic method called "introital sonography" which enables concomitant urodynamic measurements for evaluating the bladder function. During cystometry, urethral pressure profilometry and uroflowmetry, 20 patients with the symptom "loss of urine" and 10 healthy volunteers showed typical sonographic and urodynamic patterns, especially with regard to stress incontinence and urge incontinence. In contrast to video-urethrocystography, the lack of radiation exposure is advantageous.

[The older primipara: labor induction and rigidity of the soft tissues].

Textbooks and literature reports frequently view the primipara of advanced age as a group being at increased risk of prolonged labor, dystocia, injuries to the birth canal and fetal distress. Particularly, a rigid cervix and reduced elasticity of the soft tissues of the birth canal are claimed responsible for these risks. Clinically, this view causes a higher frequency of operative deliveries in this group of primipara.

[Computer-assisted documentation and recording of findings of obstetrical ultrasound findings].

Since 1976 on our department obstetrical reports are generated and stored by computer. This kind of documentation has been also introduced for obstetrical ultrasound investigations. One year ago the part of our database for storing and recording the results of obstetrical ultrasound examinations was changed according to new purposes.