[Harmful effects in early pregnancy--results of a teratological counseling center]. / Schädliche Einflüsse in der Frühschwangerschaft--Ergebnisse eines teratologischen Beratungszentrums.

In the years 1986, 1987, and 1988 altogether 132 consultations were conducted during pregnancy at the Landesfrauenklinik Linz. These pregnant women had all been exposed to potentially harmful influences (drugs, maternal diseases and as infections or cancer, X-rays or pregnancy despite IUD). In most of the cases we recommended carrying the pregnancy to full term; only a few were interrupted, sometimes against on recommendation to proceed with the pregnancy. The rate of abortion and the frequency of ectopic pregnancies were within normal limits. Due to personal investigations after birth we registered postnatal findings in nearly all cases. No serious malformations were recorded. Detailed teratological knowledge is necessary for correct advice at consultation after exposure to harmful influences during early pregnancy. In most cases it is possible to avoid interruption without risking an increased rate of malformations.

[Immediate operation of a rupture of the ankle joint ligament]. / Die sofort operierte Sprunggelenksbandruptur.

The operation of ruptured ligamentum talofibulare-system within a limit of twelve hours showed better results in opening angle of upper ankle, usability and number of days in hospital.

[Hemodilution in treatment of intrauterine dystrophy]. / Hämodilution bei der Behandlung der intrauterinen Dystrophie.

It was the aim of the study to show that HES (Hydroxy-Ethyl-Starch) in intrauterine dystrophy identified by ultrasonography can increase fetal growth. Twenty pregnant women were treated in two groups (outpatients versus inpatients). Clinically, the result was satisfying.

[Acute effects of cigarette smoking on fetal cardiovascular and uterine Doppler parameters]. / Akute Effekte des Zigarettenrauchens auf fetale kardiovaskuläre und uterine Dopplerparameter.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of smoking one cigarette (nicotine mean 0.63 +/- 0.17 mg) on uterine- and foetal cardiovascular Doppler parameters in healthy pregnant smokers. All pregnancies (n = 16; mean gestational age: 36 +/- 4 weeks) had been uneventful and all foetuses were appropriate for gestational age with normal baseline Doppler parameters and normal foetal outcome (birthweight: 3254 +/- 340 grams). Measurements, performed immediately before and after smoking, included pulsatility index (PI) of umbilical artery (UA), middle cerebral artery (MCA), foetal descending aorta and uterine artery as well as maternal and foetal heart rate. The ratio of UA/MCA PI was used to assess centralisation. Changes in foetal cardiac output were determined by: time-velocity integral times heart rate, at aortic and pulmonary valve level. Foetal heart rate (p < 0.0005, paired t-test) and maternal heart rate (p < 0.05) increased significantly. All other parameters did not change significantly. However, in one additional woman with labile hypertension and increased baseline uterine artery PI (1.9), smoking of one cigarette caused a substantial rise in uterine artery PI to 3.25 ten minutes after smoking. Middle cerebral artery PI decreased from 2.2 to 1.18 with an unchanged cardiac output and umbilical artery PI raising the UA/MCA PI ratio from 0.51 to 0.81, suggesting a brain sparing effect. Smoking of one cigarette raised maternal and foetal heart rate. There was no evidence of other cardiovascular effects or centralisation in healthy foetuses of normal pregnancies, but this might not be true in foetus of pathologic pregnancies.