ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Refrigeration is the most common method of preservation for 24 hour urine collection. We tried to find out if the concentrations of the frequently measured chemicals in urine refrigerated for 24 hours were different from those in fresh urine. METHODS: The concentration of calcium, phosphorus, uric acid, creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride, and protein was measured in fresh urine specimens for routine urine analysis. After refrigeration of the rest of the urine specimens for 24 hours, the same tests were performed, and the results of them were compared with those of fresh urine. Some urine specimens showed precipitation and decreased uric acid concentration after precipitation, and the chemical properties of them were determined statistically. RESULTS: The concentrations of the protein, phosphorus, creatinine, sodium, potassium, and chloride of refrigerated urine was not different statistically from those of the fresh one, but calcium and uric acid showed statistical difference between fresh and refrigerated samples (P<0.05). Urine specimens with precipitation and decreased uric acid showed chemical characteristics of high uric acid concentration and low pH. CONCLUSIONS: For the measurements of total protein, phosphorus, creatinine, sodium, potassium, and chloride, the urine can be refrigerated while collection of 24 hours, but additional procedure is recommended for the measurement of calcium and uric acid.
Subject(s)
Calcium , Creatinine , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Phosphorus , Potassium , Refrigeration , Sodium , Uric Acid , Urine Specimen CollectionABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To analyze chromosomal abnormalities according to patient's age and indications of patients in midtrimester amniocentesis for prenatal genetic diagnosis. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 1,565 cases of midtrimester prenatal genetic amniocentesis cases which were done in the cytogenetics laboratory at Kangnam St. Hospital, Catholic University Medical College from November1997 to May 2000. RESULTS: In 1,565 cases, the most common maternal and gestational age distributions were 35 to 39 years old and 17 to 17+6 weeks (32.78% and 21.47%, respectively). Abnormal maternal serum markers were the most common indication for amniocentesis (43.64%), and followed by advanced maternal age (40.45%) and abnormal ultrasonographic findings (3.64%). The overall incidence of chromosomal abnormalities was 4.47% (70 cases), of which numerical abnormalities and structural abnormalities were 1.86% (29 cases) and 2.61% (41 cases), respectively. Among the autosomal abnormalities, Down syndrome was most common (10 cases, 0.65%), and followed by Edward syndrome (9 cases, 0.59%). Among the sex chromosomal abnormalities, both of 47,XXX and 47,XXY were most common (3 cases, 0.20%, respectively). Chromosomal abnormalities were most frequently noted in the maternal age of 25 to 29 years old (5.10%), 30 to 34 years old (4.82%), 40 to 44 years old (4.31%), and followed by 35 to 39 years old (3.90%). On the other hand, chromosomal abnormalities were most frequently noted in abnormal ultrasonographic findings (7.02%), previous history of aneuploidy (5.88%), and followed by advanced maternal age (3.95%). CONCLUSION: This study suggested that although advanced maternal age is still important indication in midtrimester amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis, abnormal maternal serum markers and ultrasonographic findings might be also important as indications. Therefore, they should be considered in prenatal genetic counseling.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Amniocentesis , Aneuploidy , Biomarkers , Chromosome Aberrations , Cytogenetic Analysis , Cytogenetics , Diagnosis , Down Syndrome , Genetic Counseling , Gestational Age , Hand , Incidence , Maternal Age , Pregnancy Trimester, Second , Prenatal Diagnosis , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
The incidence of ectpic pregnancy has increased rapidly over the past decade. Currently, the complications of this disorder make it one of the leading causes of maternal mortality and morbidity. In the late 1980s, reports of successful use of methotrexate (MTX) as a non surgical treatment for ectopic pregnancy (EP) also began to appear in the literature. With MTX emerging as a possible alternative management of selected women with an EP, an analysis of its comparative costs is now needed. We examined retrospectively the costs associated with management of EP in our hospital. We selected 30 women with EPand divided them into two groups of MTX treated group (n= l0) and surgically treated group (n=20). There were no statistically significant differences in the doctors fee, room, charge and cost of laboratory and radiologic examination between two groups. But We found significant reduction in cost with regard to pharmacy, injection, procedure and operation of MTX treated group compared to surgically treated group (p<0.05). Consequently the use of MTX for EP should still be considered investigational; we recognize and agree that the evolution of this remedial option should be based primarily on its ability to decrease morbidity and mortality rather than on its ability to reduce costs. If medical treatment proves to be effective, the potential cost savings demonstrated in this report will become an important influential factor on selecting alternative remedy.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Cost Savings , Fees and Charges , Incidence , Maternal Mortality , Methotrexate , Mortality , Pharmacy , Pregnancy, Ectopic , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
In order to find out the distribution of fibronectin and fibrinogen in placenta among pregnancy induced hypertensive (PIH) patients, 6 normotensive pregnancies and 17 PIH patients were chosen. The placentas were obtained right after delivery and soaked in the 10% formalin solution. The score was measured in terms of the positiveness of the stain in immunohistochemical stain by using I antibody with the rabbit antihuman fibronectin and the rabbit anti-human fibrinogen. Comparison between two groups are as following: 1.The placenta of PIH patients showed significantly reduced positiveness of fibronectin in their fetal villous vessels and villous stroma. 2. In the PIH patients, the positiveness was reduced in the group giving the birth to intrauterine fetal growth retardation compared to giving birth to normal baby. 3. In both normotensive and PIH patients, the villous basement membrane did not show the staining response to fibronectin, while showing heavy staining response to fibrinogen. 4. The positiveness of fibrinogen in fetal vessels, villous basement membrane, intervillous space and stroma were almost same in both normotensive and PIH patients. From above results, we can conclude that there is abnormality in the distribution of fibronectin especially in the fetal vessels and the villous stroma of placenta among PIH patients. The cause of this result needs further study.
Subject(s)
Humans , Pregnancy , Basement Membrane , Fetal Growth Retardation , Fibrinogen , Fibronectins , Formaldehyde , Parturition , Placenta , Pre-EclampsiaABSTRACT
No abstract available.