ABSTRACT
It has been speculated that elite athletes are more likely to have obstetric interventions during labor and delivery. So far, the impact of many years of competitive sports participation on childbirth characteristics has not been well-established. This preliminary retrospective case-control study aimed to determine whether the first labors of elite judo competitors required obstetric interventions more frequently and were longer than those of non-athletes. The study comprised 32 parous women: 16 elite judo athletes and 16 non-athletes. Women were included if they had access to the following obstetric data (from their first childbirth hospital discharge reports and/or first child's health record books): induction and augmentation of labor, mode of delivery, the duration of labor and its second stage, episiotomy, perineal tear, and the neonate's Apgar score. Electronic surveys were completed concerning childbirth characteristics, level of "eliteness" (judo athletes), and recreational physical activity (non-athletes). The statistical analysis showed no significant between-group differences in any of the first childbirth outcomes under analysis. The preliminary results indicate elite judo practice before first pregnancy had no negative impact on the rates of labor induction and augmentation, delivery mode, duration of labor, the rates of episiotomy and perineal tear, and the neonate's Apgar score. Due to the small sample size, the conclusions should be considered with caution.
Subject(s)
Martial Arts , Pregnancy , Child , Infant, Newborn , Humans , Female , Retrospective Studies , Case-Control Studies , Athletes , Episiotomy , Delivery, ObstetricABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To present the authors' own experiences on transabdominal Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) for prenatal diagnosis of genetic disorders. DESIGN: Descriptive study PATIENS AND METHODS: A total of 290 couples with request for prenatal diagnosis of various genetic disorders were studied. The most common indications were: fetal abnormalities suspected in an ultrasound scan and biochemistry positive family history on genetic disorders, maternal age. Transabdominal CVS was done under local anesthesia and ultrasound guidance. The genetic analysis was possible in 264 cases (241 with abnormal ultrasound scan and/or biochemistry 11 with positive family history 12 with maternal age). Results were recorded and analyzed for descriptive statistics. RESULT: A total of 290 CVSs were done in the outdoor Most procedures (76%) were done between 12 and 14 weeks (range 11-16 weeks). All placental positions including both anterior and posterior were approachable through the trans-abdominal route. The overall success rate was 100%. Abnormal fetal karyotype was diagnosed in 39% of cases. In 12.9% of cases inconclusive results were observed (due to placental mosaicism or maternal cells contamination). More aneuploidies were observed in group with abnormal first trimester screening (us scan and/or biochemistry) compared to any other indications. CONCLUSION: Transabdominal CVS is a useful outdoor procedure for prenatal diagnosis. However indications for the procedure should be carefully considered since some risk of inconclusive results occurred.
Subject(s)
Chorionic Villi Sampling/methods , Chromosome Disorders/diagnosis , Fetal Diseases/diagnosis , Pregnancy Trimester, First , Prenatal Diagnosis/methods , Adult , Amniocentesis/methods , Female , Humans , Karyotyping/methods , Pregnancy , Young AdultABSTRACT
We have presented a case of prenatal double aortic arch, diagnosed by ultrasound, to demonstrate the importance of 3-vessel view by detecting aortic arch abnormalities. Double aortic arch is one the most common types of the vascular ring. The suspicion of a double aortic arch is raised by detecting the U-sign which is formed by the combination of both aortic arches and the left ductus arteriosus. In the 3-vessel view the ascending aorta and aortic arch are pointing to the right, whereas the left arch points to the left, and the trachea is seen between. The 4-chamber view appears normal, but the descending aorta is deviated medially. Literature review revealed an association between double aortic arch and congenital heart diseases in approximately 20% of cases; most often tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of great vessels, ventricular septal defects. Rarely there can be atresia of the segment of the aortic arch, which can be difficult to differentiate from other aortic arch anomalies associated with chromosomal abnormalities such as microdeletion of chromosome 22q11.
Subject(s)
Aorta, Thoracic/abnormalities , Aorta, Thoracic/diagnostic imaging , Aortic Arch Syndromes/diagnostic imaging , Heart Defects, Congenital/diagnostic imaging , Adult , Aorta, Thoracic/surgery , Aortic Arch Syndromes/genetics , Aortic Arch Syndromes/surgery , Chromosomes, Human, 21-22 and Y/genetics , Female , Heart Defects, Congenital/genetics , Heart Defects, Congenital/surgery , Humans , Pregnancy , Ultrasonography, PrenatalABSTRACT
AIM: The aim of the work was to evaluate the frequency of occurrence of structural, chromosome defects and developmental disorders in fetuses conceived with the help of different assisted reproduction techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research group consisted of 30 patients, aged from 25 to 37, subjected to various techniques of assisted reproduction from 2003 to 2006, who reported for consultation in the referral centre. 13 (43%) of the patients underwent the IVF procedure, 12 (40%) the ICSI procedure, 5 patients underwent interuterine insemination. Ultrasonographic examination with the evaluation of the fetal heart was conducted on average in the 22nd week of gestation. RESULTS: Multiple pregnancies constituted 14 (47%) of the examined pregnancies. In total, fetal anomalies were diagnosed in 3 fetuses (6%). Cardiovascular anomalies occurred in 2 fetuses (atrioventricular septal defect--AVSD and ventricular septal defect--VSD), each with diagnosed trisomy of chromosome pairs 21 and 18 respectively. In one case an anomaly within the urinary system was diagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple pregnancies constituted nearly half of the researched group. Structural defects were diagnosed in 3 (6%) fetuses, which slightly exceeds population risk. A higher anomaly percentage occurred in fetuses from twin pregnancies and in the group after ICSI. In the study the risk is related to the selected group of patient undergoing fetal echocardiography exam. To estimate the risk in the ART group precisely, all pregnancies conceived with implementation of ART should be examined. Multi-centre studies are our future goal.