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Biomedical subjects

H Brandenburg

Publications and source records attributed to H Brandenburg.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Prenatal diagnosis of Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome: a case report.

At 20 weeks of gestation, a typical combination of a massive enlargement of the right fetal leg and multiple cystic lesions was detected at ultrasound examination. Color-coded Doppler examination revealed no arteriovenous fistulae. These findings allowed an in utero diagnosis of the Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome, which was confirmed after subsequent termination of the pregnancy. The severe malformation involved the upper and lower right leg. No arteriovenous fistulae were found.

Journal Article↗

Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels and fetal outcome in early second-trimester oligohydramnios.

Early second-trimester oligohydramnios was associated with normal maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) levels in nine out of 26 cases (35 per cent). Congenital malformations of the fetal urinary tract resulting in fetal anuria were present in nine cases; in seven of them, normal MSAFP levels were measured. In contrast, normal MSAFP levels were established in only 2 out of the 17 cases without fetal malformations. These data suggest that fetal urine is the major source of elevated AFP in the maternal compartment in early second-trimester oligohydramnios. This is further supported by the lack of any relationship between concentrations of MSAFP non-reactive with Concanavalin A, originating mainly from the yolk sac-derived amniotic fluid AFP pool, and the presence of fetal diuresis. Three out of 26 women had experienced early second-trimester oligohydramnios in a previous pregnancy, suggesting the existence of a recurrence risk for this condition.

Concanavalin A↗

Reproductive behaviour and prenatal diagnosis following genetic termination of pregnancy in women of advanced maternal age.

One hundred and fifty-one women of advanced maternal age who underwent genetic termination of pregnancy (TOP) were studied for their reproductive behaviour and the type of procedure for prenatal diagnosis in a subsequent pregnancy. A total of 59 women (39 per cent) had a further pregnancy. In all continuing pregnancies prenatal diagnosis was performed, of which 75 per cent consisted of chorionic villus sampling (CVS). Reproductive behaviour following a genetic termination was negatively correlated with maternal age and parity. Both reproductive behaviour and the choice to undergo a diagnostic procedure in the next pregnancy were independent of the type of diagnostic procedure in the previous affected pregnancy.

Abortion, Therapeutic↗

Reproductive behaviour following spontaneous loss of pregnancy after prenatal diagnosis.

One hundred and fifty-eight women of advanced maternal age with complete follow up who experienced spontaneous fetal loss after prenatal diagnosis were studied for reproductive behaviour as well as prenatal diagnosis in a subsequent pregnancy. A higher rate of subsequent pregnancies amongst women who experienced an early spontaneous abortion after chorionic villus sampling (CVS) was expected compared with women who lost a pregnancy later during pregnancy after amniocentesis. Of the 92 women who underwent CVS in a previous pregnancy, 57 (62%) became pregnant again. Of the 66 women who underwent amniocentesis in the pregnancy that ended in fetal loss, 34 women (52%) had a subsequent pregnancy. The cumulative incidence of subsequent pregnancies was significantly influenced by maternal age but not by parity or the method of prenatal testing. Most women who decided on a new pregnancy opted for prenatal diagnosis. There was a preference for amniocentesis if the patient had previously undergone CVS. However, the reverse was not the case.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Effect of chorionic villus sampling on utilization of prenatal diagnosis in women of advanced maternal age.

The effect of the introduction of chorionic villus sampling on the utilization rate of prenatal diagnosis in advanced maternal age was studied during the period 1 January 1985-1 January 1991. On the first of January 1985, the age limit for prenatal diagnosis in The Netherlands was lowered from 38 to 36 years of age. The overall uptake rate during the studied period increased significantly, but only because of the increased uptake rate in the group 36 and 37 years. In the maternal age group of 42 years and older, an uptake rate as low as 15.9% was established. This was mainly determined by the relatively high percentage (73.0%) of women from ethnic minorities in this age group. The number of CVS procedures increased significantly during the study period, but the utilization rate was not influenced, since the number of amniocenteses decreased accordingly. An increase in acceptability of prenatal diagnosis by women of advanced maternal age due to early testing and early termination of pregnancy could not be substantiated in the present study.

Adult↗

Evaluation of young women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia: a pilot study.

To evaluate the outcome of medical and surgical treatment of 10 young women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), final height, weight, body proportions and body hair growth as well as aspect and functionality of the external genitalia were assessed. The final height was below-2 SD of the target height in 55%, though the body proportions were in the normal range. Only 3 patients were menstruating regularly. Scores for 'hormonal' body hair growth were in a higher range. Gynaecological examination revealed that in 5 out of 9 patients, the genitalia were functionally acceptable. This pilot study stresses that from birth into adulthood of female patients with CAH there is a need for a combined therapeutic approach by a paediatric endocrinologist, a surgeon and a psychologist. This will improve the physical and psychosocial well-being of these patients.

Adolescent↗

The risk of spina bifida aperta after first-trimester exposure to valproate in a prenatal cohort.

Use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of congenital malformations. Spina bifida aperta has been linked specifically to valproic acid (VPA) (estimated risk, 1 to 2%). The actual risk, the exclusive association of VPA with spina bifida and not anencephaly, and the precise causative relation remain matters of discussion. A prospective cohort study of pregnant women with epilepsy receiving AEDs and referred for prenatal diagnosis before week 22 of gestation was conducted, with follow-up to 3 months after birth. Pregnancies (291 singleton and 6 twin) in 261 women were evaluated. The prevalence of anomalies after exposure to any AED was 6.9%. For fetuses exposed to VPA, the prevalence was 9.4%, including six cases of spina bifida, two of which were in monozygotic twins (giving a prevalence rate of 6.3%, or 5.4%, if twins counted as one). Spina bifida was associated with a significantly higher average daily dose of VPA as compared with pregnancies with normal outcome (1.640 +/- 136 mg/d vs 941 +/- 48 mg/d, p = 0.0001). No relation was observed between the occurrence of spina bifida and type of maternal seizure or epilepsy, family history of epilepsy or neural-tube defects, or medical history. From these results we suggest that when the use of VPA during pregnancy cannot be avoided, the teratogenic risk might be diminished by reduction of the daily dose.

Adult↗

Acceptance of chorionic villus sampling in the southwest region of The Netherlands: a 5-year evaluation.

The acceptance of chorionic villus sampling (CVS) for monitoring pregnancies at risk for chromosomal and genetic disorders was studied from its introduction in the Centre for Clinical Genetics in Rotterdam in 1984 until 1988. Special attention was given to increasing acceptance in the group with advanced maternal age (AMA) (12.6% CVS in 1984, 52.2% CVS in 1988) and the group with a high genetic risk (HGR) (42.7% in 1984, 86.7% in 1988). The odds-growth-rate in CVS was 1.64 and 1.67 respectively, which was not significantly different. The relatively limited use of CVS at AMA is most likely determined by the fact that a considerable number of patients are referred too late in pregnancy to have the option of CVS.

Amniocentesis↗

Transcervical (TC) and transabdominal (TA) CVS for prenatal diagnosis in Rotterdam: experience with 3611 cases.

Data from 3611 consecutive CVS (TC, N = 1780; TA, N = 1831) were analysed with emphasis put on influence of maternal and gestational age at CVS on the fetal loss rate less than 28 weeks. For TC-CVS the gestational age varied from 9.3-11.6 weeks, for TA-CVS from 9.3-20 weeks. Sampling efficacy at first attempt was 86.5 per cent and 95 per cent respectively. In 4.6 per cent an abnormal result was established. In older mothers (N = 2362) the fetal loss rate was significantly higher (p = less than 0.05) when sampled before 12 weeks (TC-CVS 6.2 per cent, TA-CVS 5.8 per cent). When the CVS (TA) was performed after 12 weeks the fetal loss rate decreased to 2.4 per cent. In 1079 younger women the fetal loss rate remained low (TC 2.8 per cent; TA less than 12 weeks 1.8 per cent; TA greater than 12 weeks 1.7 per cent) and was not influenced by gestational age at the time of sampling. We concluded both methods safe and reliable when the choice of application considers maternal age.

Abortion, Therapeutic↗

Prenatal diagnosis in advanced maternal age. Amniocentesis or CVS, a patient's choice or lack of information?

Ninety-six women of advanced maternal age were interviewed about the way they obtained information on prenatal diagnosis and about how the decision was made as to what procedure was to be performed (transabdominal chorionic villus sampling (TA-CVS) or amniocentesis). In the CVS group, women visited their physician or midwife earlier in pregnancy (mean 7.1 weeks) than those in the amniocentesis group (mean 10.7 weeks). The availability of prenatal diagnosis was not mentioned during the first antenatal visit in 55 per cent of women from the amniocentesis group as opposed to 25 per cent from the TA-CVS group. Approximately 40 per cent of women eligible for prenatal diagnosis did not receive any information from the referring body prior to counselling at our centre. Only 29 per cent of women who underwent amniocentesis had actually chosen this procedure; 71 per cent were too late to undergo TA-CVS at 12 weeks. It is concluded that information to the patient must be improved in order to ensure early referral for prenatal diagnosis.

Adult↗

Fetal loss rate after chorionic villus sampling and subsequent amniocentesis.

Here we review a group of 82 patients who underwent both chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis in the same pregnancy during the period May 1984-May 1988. A fetal loss rate of 2.5% is documented. This is not essentially different from the sum of fetal loss rates following each of the procedures separately (CVS, 1.9%; amniocentesis, 1.0%) established during the same period.

Amniocentesis↗

Transabdominal villus sampling in early second trimester: a safe sampling method for women of advanced age.

Transabdominal chorionic villus sampling (TA-CVS) was performed in 707 viable singleton pregnancies to exclude chromosomal abnormalities. Maternal age ranged between 36 and 49 years (mean 37.9 years); gestational age varied between 10.2 and 18.3 weeks (mean 13.3 weeks). In 639 women (90.4 per cent), a sufficient amount of chorionic tissue (greater than or equal to 10 mg) was obtained after one needle insertion; in 66 women (9.3 per cent) two insertions were needed. An abnormal chromosome pattern was established in 19 cases (2.9 per cent). Vaginal bleeding or spotting within 28 days after TA-CVS occurred in 11 cases (1.5 per cent). The completed follow-up of 678 chromosomally normal pregnancies showed an overall fetal loss rate of 2.6 per cent before 28 weeks. The overall perinatal mortality was 0.9 per cent. When relating fetal loss to gestational age at TA-CVS, this was 6.6 per cent in women sampled before 12 weeks against only 1.8 per cent after 12 weeks. At the same time, the percentage of fetal loss occurring within 2 weeks following the procedure was 75 and 30 per cent, respectively. It is suggested that these data reflect the decline in spontaneous abortion rate during this particular period of pregnancy. It is concluded that TA-CVS is an effective procedure which, when performed after the natural decrease of fetal loss, appears to be a safe option for women of advanced maternal age.

Abdomen↗

Rhesus sensitization after midtrimester genetic amniocentesis.

In 944 Rh-negative patients who received rhesus immunoglobulin (anti-D) following genetic amniocentesis, not a single case of Rh sensitization occurred. Routine administration of a small dose (100 micrograms) of anti-D is effective in preventing Rh sensitization after midtrimester amniocentesis.

Amniocentesis↗

Endocrine effects of laparoscopic ovarian electrocautery in patients with polycystic ovarian disease, resistant to clomiphene citrate.

Endocrine responses to laparoscopic ovarian electrocautery were studied in 14 patients with polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD), resistant to clomiphene citrate. Patients who did not conceive within 6 months of treatment were evaluated for up to that period. Testosterone and androstenedione levels decreased after electrocautery in a way which is comparable with the reduction in androgens after wedge resection of the ovary. Androstenedione levels tended to return to pretreatment values at 6 months; four of the five pregnancies were achieved within this period. The reduction in androgens may break the vicious circle of PCOD, and lead to normal menstrual cycles.

Clomiphene↗