ABSTRACT
To establish a normal range of alpha fetoprotein in maternal serum (AFP sm) in the population at the "20 de Noviembre" Hospital in Mexico City, there were studied 46 patients with a normal pregnancy confirmed with ultrasonography between 16 to 18 week of gestation. The 97 determinations of AFPsm were made by radioimmunoanalysis. The multiples of the median (MoM) were 2.16 al 16th weeks, 2.33 a 17th week 2.43 al 18th week of pregnancy. Now the methods to determine abnormalities in the product and the genetics studies are proposed only to the patients considered high risk (older than 35 years old, previous malformed son or family history of those abnormalities). AFPsm and the establishment of normal range allow us to amplify the study to every pregnant woman and to determine those malformations in the pregnant women of low risk which represents about 90-95% of DCTN and about 80% of SD.
Subject(s)
Down Syndrome/diagnosis , Fetal Diseases/diagnosis , Neural Tube Defects/diagnosis , Pregnancy/blood , alpha-Fetoproteins/analysis , Adult , Diagnostic Tests, Routine , Down Syndrome/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Incidence , Middle Aged , Neural Tube Defects/epidemiology , Pregnancy Complications/blood , Prospective Studies , Reference Values , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
A prospective, experimental and comparative study, was carried out at the Labor Service and Perinatology Service at Gyn-Ob Division, Regional Hospital "20 de Novembre" ISSSTE, Mexico City, during the period from September 1st, 1987 to September 1st., 1988. The objective was to demonstrate usefulness of the Flame Test in the diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes (PRM). A total of 116 samples from patients randomly selected, in four groups (3 controls and one problem group), were studied. The test was used in comparison with crystallography. Age, gesta, parity, abortion and cesarean section, and birth's via, as well as the antecedent of use of anticonceptives, were studied. Twenty six samples in Group I, 10 in Group II, 40 in Group III and 40 in Group IV, were obtained. The statistical method of X,2 was used, and a statistically significant difference (p.05), was obtained, with a sensitivity of 97.8%, and specificity of 100%, a predictive value of 100%, and security of 98% for the test. It's concluded that the Flame test is useful in the diagnosis of PRM, with a low cost, a high sensitivity, and a similar specificity to the reported one by others.
Subject(s)
Amniotic Fluid/chemistry , Cervix Mucus/chemistry , Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture/diagnosis , Adolescent , Adult , Crystallography , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Predictive Value of Tests , PregnancyABSTRACT
179 patients were studied by genetic amniocentesis (GA) in sessions of 3 punctures each. This was done in order to follow a prenatal diagnosis (PD) program and study amniotic fluid at the Hospital Regional 20 de Novembre (ISSSTE) between May 1983 and December 1987. The parameters taken were: age, indications, number of sessions, number punctures, echosonographic studies for gestational age, placental insertion, punction site, amniotic fluid volume, blood contamination, failures and handling of the patient. A low incidence of abortion is reported. We don't have cases of dripping of amniotic fluid or transvaginal haemorrhage. Multiple insertion of the needle and placental or vessel lesions of the cord, as causes of a fetal death are still argued if we have in mind avoiding chances; we didn't have those complications in our cases. The percent is low if there are not previous spontaneous abortions. 79% of the amniotic fluid samples were sent between the 15th and 17th weeks of pregnancy. For alpha fetus protein determination 12 and for biochemical studies 1, specially for beta-galactosidase level. This was done at the Biomedical Investigation Institute of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (in parents with generalized gangliosidosis GM1). Even though results were good, the technique has still risks and complications. An ultrasonic study of the procedures made by physicians with trustable experience is needed. Our country has the need to create more Prenatal Genetic Diagnosis Centers.
