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J Lepercq

Publications and source records attributed to J Lepercq.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Etiopathogeny of fetal macrosomia].

Fetal macrosomia is an heterogeneous condition in terms of definition and etiologic factors. Recent findings suggest that macrosomia should not be classified on the basis of birth weight and gestational age alone. The ponderal index delineates a symmetric and an asymmetric subtype of macrosomia. The relationship between maternal diabetes and fetal macrosomia has been extensively investigated. However, eighty percent of macrosomic infants are born to mothers who are not hyperglycemic, and various factors have been associated. Maternal factors explain approximately 50% of the variance in birth weight, whereas paternal factors have no significant effect. The predisposition to excessive fetal growth may be shared within the intra uterine environment and the fetal genome. The respective roles of lipids, amino acids, hormones such as leptin, and growth factors need to be evaluated. Perinatal morbidity and long term consequences such as obesity and glucose intolerance might be associated with some of the factors leading to fetal overgrowth.

Embryonic and Fetal Development↗

[Cystic fibrosis. Fertility and reproduction].

Fertility and reproduction are now frequent questions for cystic fibrosis adult patients. Females are sometimes subfertile because of abnormal cervical mucus viscosity or anovulatory cycles. After genetic counseling and evaluation of respiratory prognosis, assisted reproduction can be proposed. Fertility is frequently normal and contraception should be proposed. Oral contraception appears to be safe. Pregnancy in cystic fibrosis women should be undertaken after genetic counseling and clinical evaluation; the prognosis for the mother is not modified for patients with stable pulmonary status and FEV1 up to 30% of predicted with correct nutritional status. Preterm delivery is frequent. Usual therapeutics should be continued unless ursodeoxycholic acid or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Usual antipseudomonas antibiotics can be used; pulmonary exacerbations have to be treated early. Almost all cystic fibrosis men are infertile because of congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (CBAVD). CBAVD can revealed incomplete cystic fibrosis phenotypes associated with specific genotypes. After genetic counseling, intracytoplasmic injection after epididymal puncture can be proposed. In all cases, it is important to evaluate the life prognosis, before pregnancy or paternity and to propose genetic counseling, essentially depending on the genotype of the spouse.

Adult↗

Antenatal glucocorticoid treatment and cystic periventricular leukomalacia in very premature infants.

BACKGROUND: Antenatal glucocorticoid therapy decreases the incidence of several complications among very premature infants. However, its effect on the occurrence of cystic periventricular leukomalacia, a major cause of cerebral palsy, remains unknown. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 883 live-born infants, with gestational ages ranging from 24 to 31 weeks, who were born between January 1993 and December 1996 at three perinatal centers in the Paris area. The mothers of 361 infants had received betamethasone before delivery, the mothers of 165 infants had received dexamethasone before delivery, and the mothers of 357 infants did not receive glucocorticoids. We compared the rates of cystic periventricular leukomalacia among the three groups of infants in bivariate and multivariate analyses after adjustment for confounding factors. RESULTS: The rate of cystic periventricular leukomalacia was 4.4 percent among the infants whose mothers had received betamethasone, 11.0 percent among the infants whose mothers had received dexamethasone, and 8.4 percent among the infants whose mothers had not received a glucocorticoid. After adjustment for gestational age, the mode of delivery, and the presence or absence of chorioamnionitis, prolonged interval between the rupture of membranes and delivery (>24 hours), preeclampsia, and the use of tocolytic drugs, antenatal exposure to betamethasone was associated with a lower risk of cystic periventricular leukomalacia than was either the absence of glucocorticoid therapy (adjusted odds ratio, 0.5; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.2 to 0.9) or exposure to dexamethasone (adjusted odds ratio, 0.3; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.1 to 0.7). The adjusted odds ratio for the group of infants whose mothers had received dexamethasone as compared with the group of infants whose mothers had not received a glucocorticoid was 1.5 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.8 to 2.9). CONCLUSIONS: Antenatal exposure to betamethasone but not dexamethasone is associated with a decreased risk of cystic periventricular leukomalacia among very premature infants.

Betamethasone↗

Macrosomia revisited: ponderal index and leptin delineate subtypes of fetal overgrowth.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to reanalyze the concept of fetal macrosomia with regard to the ponderal index and to investigate the role of insulin, insulinlike growth factor I, leptin, and maternal factors on birth size in a population of infants with nondiabetic mothers. STUDY DESIGN: Venous cord blood levels of insulin, insulinlike growth factor I, insulinlike growth factor binding protein 3, and leptin were measured in 28 large-for-gestational-age and 21 appropriate-for-gestational-age newborns. RESULTS: Large-for-gestational-age newborns can be divided into symmetric and asymmetric subtypes according to the ponderal index. Mean leptin concentrations in cord blood were significantly higher in asymmetric than in symmetric large-for-gestational-age newborns (P =.01). A positive correlation was observed between leptin and the ponderal index (r = 0.53, P =.001) and between leptin and insulin concentrations in cord blood (r = 0.53, P =.008). CONCLUSION: Our results strongly suggest that macrosomia should not be classified on the basis of birth weight and gestational age alone. We also show that asymmetric macrosomic infants with nondiabetic mothers have abnormal leptin and insulin concentrations.

Embryonic and Fetal Development↗

[Diabetes and pregnancy].

The presence of insulin-dependent or non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in pregnant women has been associated with an adverse effect on the maternal an fetal outcomes of pregnancy. The incidence of obstetrical and diabetic complications is increased, and a continuum has been observed between maternal blood glucose levels and perinatal outcome. The incidence of congenital malformations, macrosomia and prematurity is increased in offspring of diabetic mothers. Programming and intensive collaborative follow-up improve the outcome of such pregnancies. Gestational diabetes mellitus is an heterogenous condition defined as carbohydrate intolerance of variable severity with onset or first recognition during pregnancy. Short term complications are mainly represented by fetal macrosomia and high cesarean section rate. Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus are at increased risk of future diabetes, predominantly type 2. Obesity and type 2 diabetes are increased among their children.

Breast Feeding↗

Diagnosis and management of intrauterine growth retardation.

Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is associated with significant perinatal morbidity and mortality. This condition can be a sign of genetic disorders, fetal infection, uteroplacental insufficiency, or constitutionally small fetuses. Correct determination of gestational age is the first step in prenatal screening of growth-retarded fetuses. The discovery of a small-for-gestational age fetus necessitates fetal assessment for the evaluation of the etiology and prognosis, and for the determination of the optimal timing for delivery of these fetuses at risk of perinatal asphyxia. IUGR is more frequent in multiple-gestation pregnancies (23-34%) and will be discussed separately. There is no medical treatment for IUGR. Early aspirin treatment reduces the incidence of IUGR in a high-risk population but should not be used routinely in all pregnant women.

Female↗

Unexpected expression of glucose transporter 4 in villous stromal cells of human placenta.

Glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) protein expression was characterized in human and rodent term placentas. A 50-kDa protein was detected, by immunoblotting, in term human placenta at levels averaging 25% of those found in white adipose tissue. It was also present, albeit at lower levels, in mouse and rat placentas. The specificity of the 50-kDa signal was established by using skeletal muscle and placental tissues obtained from GLUT4-null mice as controls. Indirect immunohistochemistry, performed in human placentas, showed that intravillous stromal cells were conspicuously labeled by GLUT4 and revealed colocalization of GLUT4 transporters with insulin receptors. This study provides the first evidence that the insulin-responsive GLUT4 glucose transporter is present in human and rodent hemochorial placentas. Placental GLUT4 gene and protein levels were not modified in human pregnancy complicated by insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The significance of the high level of GLUT4 protein in human placenta remains to be elucidated, because, so far, this organ was not considered to be insulin-sensitive, with regard to glucose transport.

Animals↗

Overexpression of placental leptin in diabetic pregnancy: a critical role for insulin.

Leptin, a small peptide produced by adipocytes, is implicated in an increasing number of endocrine regulations, including adiposity, satiety, puberty, and fertility. Although the factors involved in controlling maternal and fetal weight gain during pregnancy have not been fully elucidated, leptin has recently emerged as such a potential factor. In our study, we report the presence of high amounts of leptin mRNA and immunoreactive protein in the human placenta, establishing the placental synthesis of this hormone. A large (three- to fivefold) augmentation in leptin mRNA and protein was found in placentas from insulin-treated diabetic women. This finding was associated with increased concentrations of leptin and insulin in venous cord blood without modification of maternal circulating leptin levels. These data provide evidence that the placenta is a site for regulated leptin production in utero. Insulin is likely to play a critical role in this regulation, thus emphasizing the importance of placental leptin signaling in diabetic pregnancy.

Adult↗

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome in a neonate.

A case of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome in a neonate caused by mother-to-child transmission through breast-feeding is reported. Staphylococcus aureus isolates from mother and child were identified using random-amplified polymorphic DNA analysis, which is a simple and rapid method for comparing strains. This study confirms the need to avoid breast-feeding in cases of breast abscess.

DNA, Bacterial↗

The daughters of diethylstilbestrol. Lessons from an error.

Diethylstilbestrol (DES) has been used extensively to prevent pregnancy disorders in Europe but at different levels depending upon the countries. Lessons from the DES story can be learned for research, information for physicians, communication, administration and industry. However, this paper will focus on the incidence of this story in our practice. We will propose guidelines for different conditions: clear cell adenocarcinoma, adenosis, cervical dysplasia, infertility and pregnancy.

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell↗

[Role of group B streptococcus serotype V in materno-fetal infections].

BACKGROUND: The classification of serogroup B streptococci in serotype is based on the structural differences of capsular polysaccharides and on presence or absence of a protein c antigen. They are classified as Ia, Ia/c, Ib/c, II, II/c, III, IV and V. The serotype V, unknown in 1970, seems emerging, and is placed in third position of frequency in some American studies. We have therefore decided to evaluate its frequency in Paris. POPULATION AND METHODS: In a population of 137 pregnant women and 60 neonates carrying streptococcus of serogroup B, the serotype was systematically determined using the test "Group B streptococcus serotyping test" (Dako, Danemark). RESULTS: In the pregnant women population, 12% of the isolated strains were of serotype V, 26% of serotype III, 15% of serotype II, 14% of serotype Ia, and 21% could not be typed. In neonates, it represented 15% of the isolates and took place after the serotype Ia (20%), the serotype III (18%) and the serotype II (15%). None of the neonates had early- or late-onset disease. They were only colonized. Only one mother exhibited, during the per-partum, a positive blood culture with a streptococcus group B of serotype V. CONCLUSION: These results confirm, in Paris, the importance of this serotype previously observed in foreign studies. It represents 11 to 15% of the isolated streptococcus group B in the neonates and can cause early or late-onset disease. However, larger studies are needed to evaluate the exact risk of pathology for the serotype V and its significance in neonatal infectious disease.

Female↗

[Pregnancy and the child of a mother with phenylketonuria].

Pregnant women with hyperphenylalaninemia are at high risk of spontaneous abortion and of giving birth to infants with congenital malformations, microcephaly and mental defect. Among mothers whose phenylalaninemia is greater than 1200 mumol/L (20 mg/100 mL), 95% have at least one child with mental retardation. A low phenylalanine diet with a good control of phenylalaninemia, started before conception, reduces this risk, better results being obtained when plasma phenylalanine levels are maintained below 360 mumol/L (6 mg/100 mL) as compared with levels maintained between 360 to 600 mumol/L (6-10 mg/100 mL). Thus, systematic contraception and planned pregnancies must be recommended in all hyperphenylalanemic young women. This implies early information of phenylketonuric teenage girls and their parents. In addition, efforts must be made to join and inform all women having had hyperphenylalaninemia at birth, whether they received a dietary treatment or not. It is also important that general practitioners, pediatricians and obstetricians be aware of the high recurrence risk in hyperphenylalanemic women who gave birth to a microcephalic or malformed infant.

Female↗

Recurring episodes of meningitis (Mollaret's meningitis) with one showing an association with herpes simplex virus type 2.

Benign recurrent aseptic (Mollaret's) meningitis is a rare disease of unknown aetiology. We report the case of a 27-year-old woman who experienced three episodes of lymphocytic meningitis. Human Simplex Virus (HSV) type 2 DNA was detected in the CSF by PCR amplification indicating the diagnosis of recurrent HSV type 2 meningitis. Our observation suggests that search of herpes virus DNA by PCR amplification on CSF may be useful in unexplained recurrent meningitis.

Adult↗

[Cystic fibrosis: gynecological and obstetrical aspects].

Survival in patients with cystic fibrosis has considerably improved over the last years. Young adults are particularly concerned. Fertility in these patients is greatly decreased, especially in men due to obstructive azoospermia. In women, intra-uterine insemination with her spouse's sperm can overcome anomalies in the cervical glair. Several pregnancies in patients with cystic fibrosis have been reported, especially in women with a mild form of the disease. Prematurity is frequent, about 35% as is perinatal mortality related to the mother's status. When lung involvement is severe leading to major obstruction and hypoxia, cor pulmonae and denutrition, pregnancy remains a contraindication. Care for pregnant women (when pregnancy is possible) should rely on a multidisciplinary team and include a rigorous nutritional and anti-infection support.

Adult↗