Ultrasound diagnosis of macrosomia.

Over the last two to three decades, there has been a 15-25 % increase in many countries in the number of women giving birth to large infant. Fetal macrosomia is associated with an increased risk of complications both for the mother and the newborn. In current obstetrics, the macrosomic fetus represents a frequent clinical challenge. The early detection and identification of the risks associated with fetal macrosomia is important to managing the pregnancies and at last the timing and mode of delivery. This article provides possibilities of ultrasound diagnosis throughout the pregnancy and investigates the effectiveness of fetal measurements in identifying the large fetus (Tab. 1, Ref. 24).

Procalcitonin, neopterin and C-reactive protein in diagnostics of intrauterine infection and preterm delivery.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to find out whether Procalcitoni, Neopterin and C-reactive protein are sensitive and specific markers of intrauterine infection. METHODS: We evaluated 155 patients from 26. to 41. week of pregnancy at the time of delivery. We measured serum concentrations of procalcitonin (PCT), neopterin and C-reactive protein (CRP) from mother's blood sample at the beginning of delivery and from umbilical cord blood after delivery. RESULTS: In first group occurred in higher percentage (27.41%) preterm delivery (26.-37. week of pregnancy), chorioamnionitis confirmed by histological examination (16.12%) and preterm premature rupture of membranes (24.19%). In this group occured perinatal infection of newborn in 61.29%. In the second group preterm delivery (6.31%) and perinatal infection of newborn (7.36%) occured in lower percentage. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the simultaneous measurement of CRP, PCT and NPT in mother's blood sample before delivery and umbilical cord blood may provide an accurate early diagnosis of infection and then preterm delivery (Tab. 1, Fig. 3, Ref. 18). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.

On the "proper use" of the Internet: self-help medical information and on-line health care.

Deliveries of medical information and assistance on the Internet are becoming increasingly popular, despite growing concern by some affected professional groups. "Self-help" efforts are abounding as individuals band together to support each other socially as well as gain political clout. The advent of widespread on-line health care is having a growing cultural impact, affecting the image of the practitioner-patient relationship and opening up the possibility of new roles for social workers and educators in the provision of health services. Many consumers are bringing new strategies into their acquisition of health information and care, ones developed in Internet shopping and other on-line interactions. In turn, many in the healing and helping professions are attempting to establish norms for the "proper use" of the Internet for individuals seeking health-related assistance. The medical and health care communities should establish approaches that empower consumers to use the Internet as part of a total health care strategy, rather than simply warn them about Internet hazards. The statuses of social workers, health educators, and related health professionals may be bolstered as they develop ways to empower and support consumers' Internet utilization.

Geniculate neuralgia and facial nerve sensory systems.

Although it is only a small ganglion, the geniculate ganglion subserves several different sensory systems with sensory fibers distributed to different parts of the head. The ganglion innervates chemoreceptors and phasic mechanoreceptors on the front of the tongue. In addition, the ganglion supplies mechanoreceptors of the hair follicles on the inner surface of the pinna and deep mechanoreceptors of nasal and buccal cavities. The ganglion also innervates chemoreceptors on the soft palate. No neurophysiological evidence was found for sensory innervation of the facial musculature. In considering neuralgias of geniculate ganglion origin, it is necessary to examine the loci of sensory projections of the ganglion and the possible effects of inflammation on pulse discharge patterns of sensory neurons.