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Biomedical subjects

P Vaast

Publications and source records attributed to P Vaast.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Early detection of caudal regression syndrome: specific interest and findings in three cases.

Caudal regression syndrome (CRS) is a rare malformative syndrome seen mainly in cases of maternal diabetes with poor metabolic control. Early detection by vaginal ultrasound is possible. The authors describe three cases of CRS, relating the characteristic ultrasound findings which include abrupt interruption of the spine at the dorsal or lumbar level and abnormal position of the lower limbs. The femur bones are fixed in a 'V' pattern, giving a typical 'Buddha's poise'.

Adolescent↗

Relationships between severe neonatal thrombocytopenia and maternal characteristics in pregnancies associated with autoimmune thrombocytopenia.

In pregnant women with antecedents of autoimmune thrombocytopenia (AITP), no predictive factor for severe fetal thrombocytopenia has been identified. We evaluated the relationships between the course of the maternal disease before and during pregnancy and the risk of severe fetal thrombocytopenia, in 64 pregnant women with known chronic AITP antecedents, over a 12-year period. 28 pregnant women had undergone splenectomy before pregnancy and 17 experienced severe thrombocytopenia (< 50 x 10(9)/l) during pregnancy (monthly determination). Eight infants presented with severe thrombocytopenia at birth (12.5%), and four in the following days (6.25%). No severe haemorrhage was observed. Severe thrombocytopenia at birth was present in 57% (CI 95% 18-90%) of the infants born to mothers with severe pregnancy-associated thrombocytopenia and splenectomy antecedents, and in 0% (CI 95% 0-15%) of the infants born to mothers who presented none of these antecedents (P=0.001). In thrombocytopenic mothers the infant platelet counts at birth were positively correlated to the nadir maternal platelet count during the index pregnancy (r=0.42, P=0.0075). These results suggest that severe autoimmune disease is a risk factor for severe fetal thrombocytopenia, and that pregnant women with no antecedent of splenectomy nor severe thrombocytopenia during pregnancy have a very low risk of severe fetal thrombocytopenia.

Chronic Disease↗

[Choroid plexus cysts and risks of chromosome anomalies. Review of the literature and proposed management].

OBJECTIVE: We propose to specify the different criteria of estimation and management in presence of a ultrasound discovery of a choroid plexus cyst. METHOD: A detailed review of the literature about this subject allowed to better apprehend the different attitudes taken up by the authors. RESULTS: Fetal choroid plexus cysts (CPC) are potentially useful markers for trisomy 18 in as much as they are present in about 50% of affected fetuses and they are easily seen in the standard biparietal diameter view which is obtained for all routine ultrasound scans. However, advice is contradictory as to whether karyotyping should be proposed for all fetuses (1-2% of the population) where fetal CPC are diagnosed. CONCLUSION: The review of the literature show that the majority of the authors advocate amniocentesis when the CPC is associated with another ultrasound abnormality. Isolated, it imposes regular and meticulous morphologic ultrasound supervision to search for another possible associated ultrasound abnormality, if necessary, in a prenatal diagnosis center.

Amniocentesis↗

[Ultrasonographic signs of chromosome aberrations].

We reviewed the literature on ultrasonographic criteria allowing prenatal diagnosis of chromosome aberrations, especially the most frequent: trisomy. Signs vary depending on the term of the ultrasound examination (first trimester ultrasound is often performed to early and several signs are observed in the second trimester). During the first trimester, the main criteria is the diagnosis of nuchal clearness 3 mm. The distance can only be measured with an appropriate sagittal CRL section by an experienced operator. The ideal term of this morphology ultrasound is 10 weeks gestation. During the second trimester, there are many suggestive criteria including non-specific signs: anomalous quantity of amniotic fluid, short femur, nuchal thickness 6 mm, isolated anomaly of the umbilical velocimetry, pyelectasy and fetal malformations (mainly cerebral or abdominal, including ophalocele and diaphragmatic hernia, anomalies, abnormal heart anatomy, cystic hygroma, facial anomalies and malformations of the members, often abnormal flexion of the hands).

Blood Flow Velocity↗

Brachmann-de Lange syndrome: pre- and postnatal findings.

Brachmann-de Lange syndrome (BDLS) is a well-delineated and relatively common syndrome. However, prenatal diagnosis has never been reported, even if in some cases ultrasonography demonstrated one or more manifestations of the syndrome. We report on 3 cases: in the first 2 cases, prenatal ultrasonography demonstrated some signs of the condition. The third represents, to our knowledge, the first prenatal diagnosis of BDLS. We also present a review of the literature concerning pre- and postnatal findings in this syndrome.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Fryns syndrome and erupted teeth in a 24-weeks-old fetus.

We describe a 24-weeks-old fetus with Fryns' syndrome (FS) and two erupted incisors. The present observations is another example of prenatal diagnosis of FS, based on ultrasonographically detected hernia diaphragmatica and cystic hygroma. It also adds an hitherto non described finding in FS. The presence of prenatally erupted teeth without any similar family history is discussed.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

[Gamstorp's disease and pregnancy. A case report].

Gamstorp's disease or hyperkaliemic periodic paralysis is a rare pathology leading to spells of generalized hypotonia due to hyperkaliema. It is hard to say how far pregnancy affects the course of the disease and what is the impact of the disease on pregnancy. We report a case of Gamstorp's disease during pregnancy and we insist on the fact that because it can be crippling during its acute phases, close surveillance is needed during pregnancy. Screening for malignant hyperthermia should be carried out. During labour, kaliemia level should be monitored repeatedly and the expulsion phase kept as short as possible if necessary by forceps delivery.

Adult↗

[Evaluation and surveillance of blood pressure during pregnancy].

Despite a large body of literature or hypertension in pregnancy, there still is no recognized prognosis factor for this frequent and severe disease. Management still relies on clinical features (occasional blood pressure measurements, weight curve) and appropriate tests including fetal and maternal echodoppler, urinary uric acid, 24 h proteinuria and fetal heart rate monitoring. Recent developments including self measurement and ambulatory monitoring of blood pressure have helped improve follow-up and therapeutic management in high risk pregnancies. By repeating the measurements, these techniques require more intensive medical follow-up and an adapted therapy near the term of pregnancy. They do not however provide a means of predicting outcome or recurrence of preeclampsia. These techniques have effectively been shown to reduce the number and duration of hospitalizations.

Blood Pressure Determination↗

[Ambulatory arterial blood pressure monitoring in the management of hypertension in pregnancy].

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) completes the diagnostic approach to hypertension of pregnancy, by providing a dynamic study of the blood pressure status of the pregnant woman. It corrects certain erroneous diagnoses of hypertension of pregnancy, in particular those related to the "White coat" effect, especially common in pregnant women. ABPM enables the study of nocturnal blood pressured figures, known for their prognostic value in hypertension of pregnancy. Finally, while loss or reversal of circadian rhythm appears to be of good predictive value regarding the onset of eclampsia, it is above all blood pressure load which appears to be harmful to fetal growth and maturity. ABPM also facilitates management by improving the compliance of pregnant women with regular monitoring and with treatment, by more accurately guiding the surveillance of drug treatment.

Ambulatory Care↗

[Precocious pseudo-puberty in granulosa cell tumor in children less than 1 year old. 2 cases].

Two cases of isosexual precocity in relation to granulosa cell tumor in 2 girls aged 6 and 9 months respectively are described. In the two cases clinical and biological signs of hyperoestrogenemia were found but in one, acute signs of tumoral rupture were the first symptom. Histologically, the two classical subtypes were found: macrofollicular ("adult" type) and "juvenile". These two children are alive without any sign of recurrence with a follow up of 12 and 18 months. The occurrence of granulosa cell tumors in such young girls seems extremely rare.

Estradiol↗