The Sex Ratio of Offspring in Pregnancies Complicated with Hyperemesis Gravidarum / 대한주산의학회잡지

OBJECTIVES: There are a few studies reporting difference in sex ratio at birth in pregnancies complicated with hyperemesis gravidarum but it has not been reported in domestic journals yet. The purpose of this study is to evaluate difference of sex ratio in hyperemesis gravidarum patients compared to normal pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 111 women who were diagnosed as hyperemesis gravidarum and had delivered babies in Hanyang University Hospital between Jan. 1995 to Dec. 2000. The control group was 1995 women who had no obstetric problems including hyperemesis gravidarum during the pregnancy and had delivered baby at term. We compared the sex ratio of infant and the characteristics of these two groups. The study group was divided into two subgroups depending on the severity of disease, mild group and severe group, and difference of sex ratio in these group were also compared. We analyzed the data using student T-test and chi-square test and p-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: Compared to sex ratio(female:male) of control group(44.8:55.2), hyperemesis gravidarum showed the sex ratio of 58.6:41.4(p=0.005). There was no further difference of sex ratio between two subgroups of hyperemesis gravidarum according to severity of disease. CONCLUSION: In pregnancies complicated with hyperemesis gravidarum the sex ratio of female was significantly high. The studies based on more variables and larger population would produce more accurate results.

The study on the regression time and pattern of the serum beta-hCG in gestational trophoblastic disease / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVES: It is now conventional practice to use human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) as the marker of tumor activity in gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). The interpretation of serial serum beta-hCG regression patterns is important in monitoring the course of the disease. The purpose of this study was to establish a regression time and pattern of the serum beta-hCG in which GTD is divided into hydatidiform mole and malignant trophoblastic disease. MATERIALS & METHODS: During the period from January 1990 through December 2000, 46 patients with GTD were histopathologically diagnosed and treated at the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Hanyang University Hospital. For the purpose of analysis and comparison, patients were divided into 19 cases of hydatidiform mole and 27 cases of malignant trophoblastic disease which was subdivided into nonmetastatic (17) and metastatic (10). Patients were followed clinically and by weekly estimations of quantitative serum beta-hCG until negative (<3 mIU/ml). After three consecutive negative beta-hCG, serum beta-hCG were drawn monthly in all patients for one year. The level of serum beta-hCG was detected by two-site sandwich immunoassay (Chiron Diagnostics Automated Chemiluminescence System 180). The obtained data were analyzed using t test and ANOVA test by SPSS. RESULTS: The incidence of the GTD compared with delivery was one per 182.7 deliveries. The mean value of serum beta-hCG regression time in hydatidiform mole was 12.8+/-1.1 (SEM) weeks (7.0-26.0 weeks) and 17.9+/-1.4 (SEM) weeks (8.0-34.0 weeks) in malignant trophoblastic disease. The regression time was significantly shorter in hydatidiform mole than that of malignant trophoblastic disease (P<0.01). The differences of mean value of serum beta-hCG regression time between the groups with nonmetastatic (18.0 weeks) and metastatic (17.8 weeks) were not statistically significant(P =0.946). The mean values of serum beta-hCG in both hydatidiform mole and malignant trophoblastic disease declined following a log-normal distribution. CONCLUSIONS: The regression pattern of serum beta-hCG in present study was similar to that of which in Western and also similar to that of which in Korea in 1980s. The present study supports the continued use of individual patients serum beta-hCG regression curve to make treatment decision and to recognize malignant trophoblastic disease promptly.

Variables of Fetal Heart Rate and Neonatal Outcome according to Fetal Sex / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: The differences between two fetal sexes have been a matter of great concern from ancient times to present day. This study was initiated to research the varying fetal behaviors which would differ according to the fetal sex. METHODS: With every 1,500 cases of each fetal sex selected, the patterns which the varying factors related to FHR and prognosis of neonates in normal pregnancy were compared by means of Factor Analysis (a linear method). Canonical Ensemble was performed to compare the relationship of intrauterine fetal behavioral developments, and neonatal prognosis of each fetal sex. And whether the different types of the fetal sex would have influence also on the chaotic behavior was analyzed by the methods of linear Power Spectrum of FHR and Approximate Enthropy. RESULTS: The consequences of Factor Analysis showed that it is Apgar score on the factor 1 axis, and signal loss on the factor 2 axis in the case of male babies. In the case of female babies it is Apgar score on the factor 1 axis, and fetal movement on the factor 2 axis. Speaking of the specific value regarding FHR, male babies displayed higher frequency only in terms of fetal movement sign than female babies (p=0.0394). No other differences between two fetal sexes in abnormal findings were indicated (p>0.05). Among the babies at 30~33 weeks' gestation female babies were more likely to reveal higher Canonical Ensemble (male=0.41+/-0.05, female=0.05+/-0.04; p=0.00411), whereas male babies have a higher Approximate Entropy (male=0.926+/-0.01, female=0.871+/-0.01; p=0.0037). However Power Spectrum Analysis indicated that there were no significant differences as I compared LF/HF (p>0.05), the ratio of LF and HF of two fetal sexes, and same result was also drawn by Power Low beta-slope (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The linear patterns of the FHR signal from the fetus suggest that there is no variables resulting from the type of fetal sex, except for the fetal movement frequency and the height and weight of neonates. The sympathetic and parasympathetic balance of both fetal sexes also showed a similar development pattern. In the mean time the differences which could be visible were made among the male and female babies specifically at 30~33 weeks' gestation. This may correspond to the fact that the lung maturation of the female fetus is completed before the third trimester of pregnancy, and the male fetus after the period, and finally the differences between the fetal sexes generally become insignificant toward term.

Clinical significance of ascitic p53 autoantibodies as a prognostic factor in patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVES: A study was to assess the prognostic significance of ascitic anti-p53 autoantibodies in patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma. METHODS: Retrospective study was peformed in 43 ovarian carcinoma patients who presented with a significant amount of ascites at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Hanyang University Hospital between 1991 to 2000. p53 autoantibodies were determined by highly specific enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (p53-Autoantibody ELISAplus, CAT QI A53, A CN Bioscience Company, Boston). The 'positive' and 'negative' group were categorized on the basis of the presence of anti-p53 autoantibodies. The clinicopathologic characteristics, disease free survival and overall survival rate in each groups were compared. Statistical analysis was performed by X2 and independent sample t-test. RESULT: Ascitic anti-p53 autoantibodies were found in 16% (7/43) of the study patients. The positive rates were revealed as follows : serous 15% (2/13), mucinous 11% (2/17), undifferentiated, 42% (3/7) in histologic type ; stage I/II5% (1/21), III/IV 27% (6/16); grade I/II12% (3/26), III 24% (4/17). There was no correlation between clinicopathologic characteristics and the presence of ascitic anti-p53 autoantibodies except the stage of disease. The overall survival rate revealed no significant statistical meaning (20.0 vs 35.7 months, p=0.492). In contrast, disease free survival rate was decreased in positive group. (10.0 vs 24.7 months, p=0.032). A significance association was observed between presence of ascitic anti-p53 autoantibody and response to chemotherapy. Ascitic anti-p53 autoantibodies were detected in only 3 (16%) of 18 patients who achieved pathological partial and complete response, but it was detected in 3 (75%) of 4 patients who did not respond to chemotherapy (p=0.046). CONCLUSION: The presence of p53 autoantibodies in ascites is tend to be associated with advanced stage and poorly differentiated group. A significant correlation was observed between presence of ascitic p53 autoantibodies and decrease in disease free survival rate suggesting that it is related to poor prognosis. Moreover, presence of ascitic p53 autoantibodies was also related to chemoresistance. But since this study is retrospective and based on very limited case, further study is warranted to be performed prospectively and based on larger number of study group.