Perinatal Outcome of Reduced Twin Pregnancies from Triplet by Multifetal Pregnancy Reduction in Patients underwent In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the perinatal outcome and complications of reduced twin pregnancies from triplet by multifetal pregnancy reduction (MFPR) in patients who underwent in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1995 to December 1999, a total of 71 twin pregnancies were included in this study. The patients were grouped into the MFPR group (n = 19) and the non-MFPR group (n = 59). The pregnancies in the MFPR group were reduced to twin from triplet by the MFPR. MFPR was performed by transvaginal sonography-guided fetal aspiration or mechanical trauma. The obstetric and perinatal outcomes were compared between the two groups. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test, Fisher's exact test, and kappa2 test as appropriate. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in mean gestational age and distribution of gestational age between the two groups. However, the fetal loss rate before 24 weeks of gestation was significantly higher in the MFPR group than the non-MFPR group. We did not find any significant differences in mean birth weight and weight discordancy between the two groups. There were no differences in obstetric and perinatal outcomes between the MFPR and non MFPR groups as well. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that pregnancy outcome of reduced twin pregnancies from triplet by MFPR in patients underwent IVF-ET might be comparable to that of non-reduced twin pregnancies.

A Case of Duplication of Chromosome 9q(q13-q21.3) as Polymorphism in Fetus of Patient with Habitual Abortion / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Habitual abortion or recurrent pregnancy loss has been defined as the occurrence of three or more clinically recognized pregnancy loss before 20 gestational weeks. A recognized cause of habitual abortion is a genetic abnormality, and karyotyping of couples will reveal that about 5% have some abnormality, most frequently a balanced translocation. However, it has been reported that duplication of chromosome is a rare condition associated with habitual abortion. We have experienced a case of chromosomal duplication 9q as polymorphism found in fetus of the patient with habitual abortion. Father of the fetus also has the same chromosomal duplication on 9q. This represents familial polymorphism and it is very rare variant. We presented with brief review of literatures.

The Association of Concentration of Serum Estradiol and Bone Mineral Density with Auditory Function in Postmenopausal Women / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To clarify whether hearing sensitivity in postmenopausal women is associated with serum estradiol level or bone mineral density (BMD) MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1999 to December 1999, serum concentration of estradiol, bone mineral densities of the lumbar vertebrae and femoral neck, and hearing sensitivity were measured in 1162 postmenopausal women. Serum concentration of estradiol was measured by radioimmunoassay. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was used to measure bone mineral densities of the lumbar vertebrae and femoral neck. Pure tone thresholds were evaluated by screening pure tone audiometry. All data were analyzed with Student's t-test, multiple logistic regression analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1155 patients were analyzed; 155 patients were in the hearing-loss group and 1000 patients were in the control group. On univariate analysis, significant differences were found in mean age, concentration of serum estradiol, and BMD of the femoral neck between the two groups (mean+/-SD, 58.1+/-5.2 vs 56.0+/-4.3, 11.6+/-6.0 vs 13.1+/-12.0, 0.67+/-0.11 vs 0.70+/-0.11; p-value: 0.0001, 0.01, 0.02). On multiple logistic regression analysis and multiple linear regression analysis, significant association was found between age and hearing loss and between age and pure tone threshold (p-value: 0.0001, 0.0001, respectively). However, neither seum concentration of estradiol nor BMD was associated with hearing loss or pure tone threshold. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that hearing sensitivity in postmenopausal women is not directly associated with serum estradiol level or BMD.

Regulatory Mechanism of COX-2 by Estrogen and Progesterone in Uterine Cell Lines of Rodents / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the regulatory mechanism of cyclooxygenase(COX)-2 by estrogen and progesterone in uterine cell lines of rodents MATERIALS AND METHODS: CUE-P cells, originated from the uterine endometrial epithelial cells, and CUE-V2 cells, originated from the uterine endometrial stromal cells, were incubated in the Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium(DMEM) and F12 medium. The cellular proliferation were evaluated every 24 hours. The expression of COX-2 was measured after estrogen and progesterone supplementation by western blot. RESULTS: CUE-P cells have cuboidal morphology and CUS-V2 cells resemble fibroblast and exhibit a spindle-like morphology. When CUE-P and CUS-V2 cells were co-cultured with estrogen and progesterone supplementation, the expression of COX-2 was decreased after 24 hours of estrogen supplementation. The decreased expression of COX-2 was observed only when estrogen was supplemented after 9 hours of initial progesterone supplementation. CONCLUSION: The sex steroid, such as estrogen and progesterone could regulate COX-2 expression in uterine cell lines.

Clinical Analysis of Hysteroscopic Treatment of Intrauterine Adhesion / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the causes of intrauterine adhesion (IUA) and the efficacy of hysteroscopic adhesiolysis in patients with IUA METHODS: From January 1995 to June 1999, a total of 63 patients with IUA were underwent hysteroscopic adhesiolysis. The patients with IUA only were trying to be pregnant spontaneous whereas, intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) were performed in the patients who have other infertility factors and IUA as well. The data such as the changes of menstrual amount and pattern, fertility, and full-term live birth rate were analyzed. RESULTS: The most common cause of IUA was curettage related problems; after incomplete abortion 20.6%, postpartum bleeding 9.5%, elective abortion 47.6%, missed abortion 11.1%, and for treatment of hydatidiform mole 1.6%. All patients with amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea had improvement of their menstrual patterns. Forty seven patients wanted pregnancy and 31 patients achieved pregnancy (68.4%). Full-term live birth rate 38.3% and there was one placenta accreta in full-term live birth case, which was resolved by postpartum curettage. CONCLUSION: Hysteroscopic adhesiolysis of IUA could be effective for restoring the normal menstrual pattern and fertility.

Clinical Results of Transvaginal Multifetal Pregnancy Reduction According to the Gestational Period / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To compare the pregnancy outcomes of transvaginal multifetal pregnancy reduction (MFPR) according to the gestational period when the procedure was performed METHODS: From January l995 to February 1998, total 27 patients with multiple pregnancy were included in this study. The patients were grouped to early MFPR group (8 weeks, n=ll) according to the gestational age that MFPRs were performed. All MFPRs were performed by transvaginal sonography-guided fetal aspiration or mechanical trauma. The complete pregnancy loss rate before 24 weeks of gestation, spontaneous loss of embryo, procedure-related complication, gestational age at delivery, and pregnancy complication were compared between the two groups. Statistical analysis of data was performed using Students t-test and Fishers exact test as appropriate. Statistical significance was defined as p<0.05. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the complete pregnancy loss rate between the early MFPR group (6.3%) and the delayed MFPR group (27.3%). The incidence of partial spontaneous loss of embryo in the two groups were not differed significantly (6.3% vs. 18.2%). The procedure-related complication of the delayed MFPR group (36.4%) seemed to be higher than that of the early MFPR group (6.3%), however there was no statistical difference (p=0, 07). Especially, all 3 patients in whom the MFPR was performed after 10 weeks suffered from the procedure-related complication. The mean gestational age at delivery of the two groups were not differed significantly (36.3+2.8 weeks vs. 37.0+1.3 weeks). There was also no significant difference in the mean birth weights of the two groups (2378.8+563.7 gm vs. 2427.1+436.2 gm). CONCLUSION: Although there was no statistically significant difference, the early transvaginal MFPR might be a safe and useful method without significant adverse complications compared to the delayed MFPR.