Background Intra uterine diagnosis of cardiac malformations is very important because they are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Despite advances in sonographic equipment, fetal position, maternal obesity, maternal abdominal wall scar from previous surgery and olygohydramnios, can impair significantely the visualization of fetal cardiac structures. The intent of this study was to ev...

Objectives: To describe the maternal and fetal characteristics of isolated antenatal hydronephrosis (ANH), to address parental concerns by providing local data based on the fetal renal pelvis anteroposterior diameter (APD), and to determine the most effective APD cutoff in the second and third trimester for prediction of postnatal urological outcome. Methods: A retrospective review of all cases...

OBJECTIVE We examined whether surgically induced membrane defects elevate connexin 43 (Cx43) expression in the wound edge of the amniotic membrane (AM) and drives structural changes in collagen that affects healing after fetoscopic surgery. METHOD Cell morphology and collagen microstructure was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and second harmonic generation in fetal membranes take...

OBJECTIVE Definite data in heart surgery with extracorporeal circulation during pregnancy is limited. This report analyzes our experience in this area. METHODS Fifteen women underwent open heart surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass during pregnancy at our institution between 1972 and 1998. Surgical procedures included valve replacement in 13 patients (12 mitral, 1 aortic), declotting of a til...

A full termed local ewe with the history of continuous straining with labored breathing for last 24 hours was presented. The animal was disinclined to move with tense and round abdomen which developed rapidly during last two weeks. Caesarean section revealed hydrallantois accompanied by multiple fetal congenital abnormalities. The ewe was under observation for four weeks. Metritis developed 12 ...

Heart disease is the primary cause of nonobstetric mortality in pregnancy, occurring in 1%-3% of pregnancies and accounting for 10%-15% of maternal deaths. Congenital heart disease has become more prevalent in women of childbearing age, representing an increasing percentage (up to 75%) of heart disease in pregnancy. Untreated maternal heart disease also places the fetus at risk. Independent pre...