Clinical features of eight pregnancies resulting from in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET) have resulted in the birth of nine babies, including twins. One of the twins had a congenital cardiac malformation and seven of the nine babies were girls. Labor occurred preterm in two pregnancies; and in six delivery was by cesarean section. Plasma human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), progesterone (P), and estriol (E3) measurements and ultrasonic scans showed no obvious differences from pregnancies resulting from natural conception. Cytogenetic studies from cord blood and histologic examination of the placentas were unremarkable. The theoretic risks of pregnancy following IVF and ET are discussed. Definite conclusions cannot be drawn until a large number of babies are delivered and a long-term follow-up is completed. Initial results from the current small sample are encouraging.

Second-trimester termination with 16,16 dimethyl-PGE1-methyl ester (gemeprost), compared with a regimen that included intra-amniotic PGF2 alpha and hypertonic saline.

The use of gemeprost (16,16 dimethyl-PGE1-methyl ester) pessaries was compared in an open, randomized single-centre trial with the intra-amniotic injection of PGF2 alpha combined with hypertonic saline, intravenous oxytocin and a hygroscopic cervical dilator (Dilapan) for the termination of pregnancy between 14 and 20 weeks. There was no significant difference in the induction-delivery interval for the two groups. With the exception of an increased incidence of diarrhoea in the gemeprost group, there was no significant difference in other side effects, analgesic requirements or retained placentae. Gemeprost pessaries are an effective alternative to the more invasive methods previously used for the induction of second-trimester termination.

PIP: Gemeprost vaginal suppositories (16,16-dimethyl-PGE1 methyl ester) were compared with intraamniotic Pgf2alpha in 20% saline after Dilapan tents for termination of 14-16 week pregnancies in 58 women. After randomization there were 44% multigravidae in the Gemeprost group and 58% in the Pgf2alpha-saline-Dilapan group; the Gemeprost group averaged 23.4 years, the Pgf2alpha group 26.2%. Gemeprost 1 mg vaginal pessaries were inserted at 3 hr intervals for a maximum of 5 doses. Pgf2alpha 20 mg in 40 ml 20% NaCl was injected intraamniotically under ultrasonic control immediately after Dilapan was inserted in the cervix. If abortion had not occurred within 24 hours, management by iv oxytocin, iv Pgf2alpha, intraamniotic Pgf2alpha or saline or both was at the physician's discretion, as was post-abortion treatment with oxytocin, ergometric or surgical evacuation of the placenta if not delivered within 2 hours. Successful abortion, defined as induction abortion intervals of 24 hours, occurred in 58% of the Gemeprost group and 90% of the PG-saline group, for mean induction-abortion intervals of 12.6 and 11.7 hours. 6 more Gemeprost patients aborted within 27.8 hours without additional treatment, while the last 2 patients to deliver took 42 and 50 hours, compared to a 32-hour maximum interval for PG-saline patients. Much of the difference in intervals was accounted for by primigravidas, who took 15.84 hours on average with Gemeprost, compared to 13.7 hours with PG-saline. Gastrointestinal side effects were more common in the Gemeprost group: diarrhea in 58% and vomiting in 62%, compared to 7% with diarrhea and 34% with vomiting in the PG-saline group. Retained placenta, hemorrhage 300 ml and pain requiring narcotics were similar in both series. The outcomes in terms of induction-abortion intervals were not significantly different. Gemeprost was considered the agent of choice, since it is not invasive, and avoids the risk of sudden collapse or death, intrauterine infection, saline intoxication or clotting disorders, which occur on rare occasions in Pgf2alpha- or saline-induced midtrimester abortions.

Fetoscopy. A new technique for antenatal intrauterine diagnosis.

The new technique of fetoscopy is an important advance in the antenatal intrauterine diagnosis of some fetal disorders. Because it enables fetal blood to be collected, fetoscopy has a major place in the intrauterine diagnosis of haemoglobinopathies, particularly fetal thalassemia major at 16-20 weeks' gestation in women at risk of bearing such a child.

In utero repair of diaphragmatic hernia.

This report describes the first in utero repair of diaphragmatic hernia in Australia. The patient was a 32 year old woman with major infertility problems who was diagnosed at 15 weeks gestation as having an infant with diaphragmatic hernia. After extensive consideration and counselling the parents requested in utero repair. This was performed at 28 weeks gestation and was technically successful, but the infant was found to be dead after uterine closure. The mother has subsequently been delivered of normal twins at term by Caesarean section. In utero repair of diaphragmatic hernia requires a high degree of team work, is technically demanding and has major ethical implications. It should be restricted to nationally designated units.

Severe urethral obstruction diagnosed at 14 weeks' gestation: variability of outcome with and without drainage.

We present 3 case reports to illustrate the variability of outcome of severe fetal posterior urethral obstruction. Two of the described cases support the view that early in-utero decompression of an obstructed fetal urinary system into the amniotic cavity, in the selected patient, will allow adequate lung development and will prevent the development of severe renal dysplasia. It will not prevent the abdominal wall deformity of the prune belly syndrome. The evidence suggests that to allow maximum time for lung development and to prevent increasing renal dysplasia, drainage should be performed before 18 weeks of gestation. To obtain maximum effect, this drainage should continue until at least 32-33 weeks' gestation, so that the possible respiratory problems of prematurity would not be severe enough to compound the degree of lung hypoplasia which might be present. Case 3 supports our view that an endoscopic approach to in-utero drainage of the urinary tract has the advantage of achieving drainage with minimal risk to both mother and fetus.

The utilisation of nuchal translucency as a prenatal marker of Down syndrome, 1993-1999.

A sample of 6,038 obstetric ultrasound referrals and reports between January 1993 and June 1999 in a single Melbourne private ultrasound practice was reviewed to determine whether the referral and reporting pattern for nuchal translucency (NT) measurement has changed. The proportion of both 10-14 week ultrasound scans and mid trimester fetal anatomy scan referrals increased significantly over the study period (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). There was also a significant increase in NT reporting and the number of specific referrals for an NT measurement over the study period (p = 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). If current trends continue it is likely that the 10-14 week scan for NT measurement will become a routine component of antenatal care. Therefore, as a matter of urgency, it is imperative that the best and most cost-effective screening strategy for Down syndrome in an Australian population is defined.

Antenatal intrauterine diagnosis of fetal thalassaemia.

The results are reported of the intrauterine diagnosis of fetal thalassaemia in 72 pregnant women investigated during the six years from 1977 to 1982. In the majority of cases fetal blood was collected by fetoscopy for globin chain synthesis at 18 to 19 weeks' gestation. Adequate fetal blood samples for the diagnosis of the thalassaemia status of the fetus were obtained in 85% of cases. The technical difficulties associated with fetoscopy and fetal blood collection are discussed, and the maternal and fetal complications of the procedure described.