Search results for "Fetus"

OC005: Ultrasound bioeffects: Quantification of cellular damage in animal fetal liver after use of Doppler pulse to measure ductus venosus

2008

F75Determining fetal lung volume using three-dimensional-ultrasonography

2000

Background The aim of the study was to establish fetal lung, thoracic and heart volume nomograms using 3D-ultrasonography. Method For this purpose 115 fetuses were examined (between 18 and 33 weeks of gestation) using Voluson 530D (Kretztechnik, Austria) ultrasound device and 5 MHZ three-dimensional annular volume transducer. Lung volumes of 15 fetuses suffering from skeletal dysplasia, renal agenesis or hydrothorax and secondary pulmonary hypoplasia were compared with previously established nomograms. Results Lung volumes in the pathologic group of fetuses compared to the nomograms were below the 5% for gestational age. Conclusion The encouraging first results suggest that this method coul…

OC133: Natriuretic peptide levels in IUGR fetuses with absent and reversed enddiastolic flow of the umbilical artery in relation to ductus venosus fl…

2003

3-D ultrasound in prenatal diagnosis

1999

Abstract 2-D ultrasonography has evolved into an excellent technique in prenatal diagnosis during the past 40 years. The fact remains, however, that 2-D ultrasonography is marked by a lack of ability to provide more than a 2-D demonstration of a 3-D fetus. Although many fetal anomalies are detectable by conventional 2-D ultrasound, it is impossible to demonstrate a defect in the third dimension. 3-D sonography not only offers the third plane, but it also provides the examiner with different viewing modes: the multiplanar, the surface and the transparent demonstration of the fetus. The different viewing modes not only improve the accuracy in detecting fetal malformations, but also serve to d…

Abnormalities of the umbilico-portal venous system in Down syndrome: A report of two new patients

2003

Congenital anomalies of the umbilical and portal venous system are rare vascular malformations which are often associated with anomalies of the heart and gastrointestinal tract. Association with chromosomal disorders has been sporadically reported. We now report on two patients with trisomy 21 and congenital anomalies of the umbilico-portal system. A male fetus showed absence of the intrahepatic portal vein (PV) and ductus venosus with a direct communication between portal sinus and inferior vena cava exhibiting an umbilicosystemic total shunt during the fetal life and a portosystemic total shunt after birth. A female infant showed absence of the intrahepatic PV and a total portocaval shunt…

Fetal Renal Effects of Intrauterine Diuretic Application in Wistar Rats

1987

The application of placenta-permeable diuretics in the pregnant woman has been the subject of controversial discussion (Friedberg 1980; Souster and Emery 1980). Not only is the fetus endangered by potential placental ischaemia, natrium and potassium loss and possible dehydration in the mother (Friedberg 1980; Gant and Madden 1975), but also induced effects on fetal organ formation should be considered (Frohneberg and Hutschenreiter 1982; Seufert 1986). Depending on the site of action and placental permeability, fetal urine production can be increased (Wladimiroff 1975), thus leading to consequences for the morphological and functional embryogenesis of isolated nephron sections (Frohneberg 1…

Preeclampsia, a pregnancy-specific disease, is associated with fetal monocyte activation.

2001

The maternal syndrome of preeclampsia is an exclusively pregnancy-related illness involving multiple organs and severe forms may be complicated by HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets) syndrome. Recently, it has been proposed that both normal pregnancy and preeclampsia are associated with a systemic activation of the nonspecific maternal immune system and that, in particular, monocytes have a central role in the adjustment of maternal immune functions in pregnancy. Here we have investigated the role of the fetal nonadaptive immune system in normal term delivery, uncontrollable preterm labor, and preeclampsia. We demonstrate that spontaneous delivery at term as well as pre…

Distribution of osteonectin mRNA and protein during human embryonic and fetal development.

1992

We investigated the temporal and spatial distribution of osteonectin during human embryonic and fetal development, using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Osteonectin gene expression was generally found in cells exhibiting high rates of matrix production/proliferation. In mineralized tissue, a strong signal was obtained in osteoblasts, odontoblasts, and chondrocytes of the upper hypertrophic and proliferative zones. Chondrocytes of the mineralized zone showed no expression throughout the different stages of development. Strong osteonectin expression was found in odontoblasts of developing teeth. In addition, osteonectin mRNA and protein were detected in several non-mineralize…

The Presence of Gestational Diabetes is Associated with Increased Detection of Anti-HLA-class II Antibodies in the Maternal Circulation

2006

Problem Gestational diabetes (GD) may be associated with temporarily reduced immune tolerance toward alloantigens for the time of pregnancy. The aim of this study was to assess anti-HLA-class I and -II antibodies as markers for an aberrant immunostimulation in women with GD. Method of study The percentage of anti-HLA-class I and -II antibodies was estimated in women with GD, normal term delivery and fetal distress, which was confirmed by demonstrating low cord blood pH for this patient group. These antibodies may cross the placental barrier and cause interleukin-6 (IL-6) release from fetal monocytes by cross-linking monocytes with antibody-loaded cells. Therefore we estimated the percentage…

Small for gestational age (SGA) neonates show reduced suppressive activity of their regulatory T cells

2009

Little information exists concerning the role of fetal regulatory T cells (Tregs) during intrauterine development. We examined whether complications such as reduced birth weight or the occurrence of preterm labor were associated with deficiencies in the number or in the immunosuppressive activity of Tregs in the fetal circulation. Their total number did not change during normal or complicated pregnancy. In contrast, their level of FoxP3 expression decreased continuously with gestational age and was significantly reduced in the presence of spontaneous term, but not preterm labor. In small for gestational age (SGA) neonates, FoxP3 expression was constantly decreased when compared to age match…