Search PubMed⌕ Search
Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 9204226

Fetal testing in postdates.

P D Bobby·M Y Divon
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Postdate pregnancies are at significant risk for perinatal morbidity. Fetal testing may be used to observe the prolonged pregnancy safely while awaiting onset of labor. Pitfalls associated with the use of fetal testing in this situation are discussed. The current literature addressing these problems is reviewed.

Explore related subjects

Amniotic FluidFemaleFetal DiseasesGestational AgeHumansIncidencePregnancyPregnancy, ProlongedPrenatal DiagnosisRisk FactorsSurvival RateUltrasonography, DopplerUltrasonography, PrenatalJournal ArticleReview

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

P D Bobby, M Y Divon. 1997. Fetal testing in postdates.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9204226/

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2003

Mutational spectrum and DNA-based prenatal diagnosis in carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase deficiency.

Carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase (CAC) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of long-chain fatty acid oxidation with a severe outcome. We report mutation analysis in a cohort of 12 patients. Twelve mutations were identified of which 9 have not been reported so far (G28C, D32N, R178Q, P230R, D231H, 179delG, 802delG, 69-70insTGTGC, and 609-1g>a). Altogether, including our results, 22 mutations of the CAC gene have been published to date in 23 patients demonstrating the allelic heterogeneity of CAC deficiency. DNA-based prenatal diagnosis was performed for the first time in pregnancies at risk for CAC deficiency. Two fetuses were affected and one pregnancy was terminated by family decision. Two other fetuses had normal genotype and five others were heterozygotes. All the offspring of these seven pregnancies are alive and apparently healthy.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed2003

Defecation in utero: a physiologic fetal function.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of in utero defecation as a normal function in the human fetus. STUDY DESIGN: The anuses of 240 fetuses were studied sonographically between weeks 15 and 41 of gestation. Fetal defecation was defined as the expulsion of rectal contents through the anus into the amniotic fluid. The diameter and area of the anus were measured sonographically at times of maximum anal aperture. RESULTS: One or more defecations were documented in all fetuses. The frequency of defecations was highest between week 28 and 34 of gestation. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that defecation in utero is a normal function and supports the view that the evacuation of rectal contents into the amniotic fluid is no departure from normal fetal physiologic behavior.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed2003

Dexamethasone or interleukin-10 blocks interleukin-1beta-induced uterine contractions in pregnant rhesus monkeys.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether treatment with the immune modulators dexamethasone or interleukin-10 prevents interleukin-1beta-induced uterine contractions in a nonhuman primate model. STUDY DESIGN: Thirteen chronically instrumented rhesus monkeys at 135 +/- 1 days of gestation (term, 167 days) received one of three interventions: (1) intra-amniotic interleukin-1beta (10 microg) infusion with maternal dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) intravenously every 6 hours for 1 day before interleukin-1beta and for 2 days thereafter (n = 4), (2) intra-amniotic interleukin-1beta infusion with maternal interleukin-10 (25 microg/kg) given intravenously and 100 microg interleukin-10 given intra-amniotically before the interleukin-1beta and continued every 8 hours for 3 days (n = 5), and (3) intra-amniotic interleukin-1beta administered alone (n = 5). Uterine activity was monitored continuously and quantified as the hourly contraction area (millimeters of mercury times seconds per hour) in all groups until delivery. Amniotic fluid was sampled for leukocyte counts and assayed for prostaglandins E(2) and F(2)alpha, cytokines interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-10, and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist by specific assays. Maternal and fetal blood were assayed for cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and estradiol. RESULTS: Interleukin-1beta infusion in the absence of immune modulators resulted in an increase in uterine activity and amniotic fluid proinflammatory cytokines, prostaglandins, and leukocytes. Dexamethasone and interleukin-10 treatment significantly reduced interleukin-1beta-induced uterine contractility (P <.05) and amniotic fluid prostaglandins (P <.05) but not interleukin-8 or interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. Amniotic fluid interleukin-6 and maternal and fetal cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and estradiol concentrations were reduced by dexamethasone (P <.05), whereas tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels and leukocyte counts were attenuated by interleukin-10 treatment (P <.05). An inverse relationship was noted between amniotic fluid interleukin-10 concentrations and interleukin-1beta-induced uterine activity (r = -0.74, P <.05). CONCLUSION: Dexamethasone and interleukin-10 exert similar inhibitory effects on interleukin-1beta-induced uterine activity, which appears to be mediated by a decrease in prostaglandin production. Reduced estrogen biosynthesis or suppression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and leukocyte migration may contribute to the tocolytic actions of dexamethasone and interleukin-10, respectively. Dexamethasone and interleukin-10 are likely to be useful adjuncts in the treatment of preterm labor that is associated with inflammation or infection.

Amniotic Fluid↗