Expression of Aquaporin-4 in Placenta of Preeclampsia / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: This study was to determine whether aquaporin-4, which plays role as a transcellular water channel, is expressed in human placenta, and to compare the degree of its expression between preeclamptic women and normal pregnant women. METHODS: Placentas were obtained from severely preeclamptic women and normal pregnant women who were delivered neonates by cesarean section before the onset of labor in the Chungbuk National University Hospital. Immunohistochemistry with aquaporin-4 antibody was performed using paraffin-embedded tissue section. Signal of aquaporin-4 expression was observed with light microscope. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry demonstrated expression of aquaporin-4 in the placentas of both preeclamptic women and normal pregnant women. The degree of expression was not different in both group. CONCLUSION: Aquaporin-4 was expressed in the human placenta, but may not be related to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Vesico-Amniotic Shunting in Fetal Posterior Urethral Valve Syndrome / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Fetal posterior urethral valve syndrome results in potentially lethal complications including renal dysplasia, pulmonary hypoplasia. Antenatal fetal vesicocentesis and amniotic fluid infusion may be useful to improve neonatal pulmonary function, however rapid recurrence of urinary retention and oligohydramnios usually required repetitive invasive procedures. We successfully treated a posterior urethral valve syndrome with vesico-amniotic shunt. Under ultrasonographic guidence, we inserted a Double-Basket Catheter into fetal urinary bladder through lower abdominal wall at second trimester. Shunt remained in place until the fetus was delivered at 35th gestational week. The vesico-amniotic shunt can improve fetal outcome and avoid repeated vesicocentesis before delivery.

Live Birth After Expectant Management of Second Trimester Placental Abruption / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Prognosis of placental abruption depends on gestational age and the status of the mother and the fetus, and perinatal mortality was almost entirely attributable to prematurity. A midtrimester women with placental abruption was successfully treated by expectant management including fetal surveillance, serial ultrasonography and maternal hematologic examination, and delivered a healthy baby 11 weeks later. We suggest that expectant management may be considered as a good treatment option until fetal lung maturation is documented in preterm pregnancy with placental abruption if there is no maternal or fetal compromise.

Expression of Aquaporin-8 in Placenta of Preeclampsia / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: This study was to determine whether aquaporin-8, which plays a role as a transcellular water channel, is expressed in human placenta, and to compare the degree of its expression between preeclamptic women and normal pregnant women. METHODS: Placentas were obtained from severely preeclamptic women and normal pregnant women who were delivered babies by cesarean section before the onset of labor in the Chungbuk National University Hospital. In situ hybridization with aquaporin-8 cRNA probe was performed using paraffin-embedded tissue section. Signal of aquaporin-8 expression was observed with light microscope. RESULTS: In situ hybridization demonstrated strong expression of aquaporin-8 mRNA in the placentas of both preeclamptic women and normal pregnant women. The degree of expression was the same in both group. CONCLUSION: Aquaporin-8 in human placenta may not be related to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.