[Neonatal results of prgenancies in overweight and obese mothers at the University of Würzburg Gynaecology Clinic--a comparison of the years 1980 and 2005]. / Neonatales Ergebnis von Schwangerschaften übergewichtiger und adipöser Mütter an der Universitäts-Frauenklinik Würzburg - ein Vergleich zwischen 1980 und 2005.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in pregnant women has increased during the last decades (in our examination period from 10.9 to 29.8 %). Maternal obesity is a risk factor for pregnancy, delivery and the newborn. Does the neonatal outcome of pregnancies with maternal overweight and obesity in 2005 differ from that in 1980? METHODS: All patients with a body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg / m (2) who delivered in 1980 (n = 130) and in 2005 (n = 392) at the University Hospital Würzburg were evaluated retrospectively. The neonatal result of singletons born at term was studied (1980: n = 125; 2005: n = 315). RESULTS: The rates of macrosomia > 4500 g (5.6 vs. 1.3 %) and shoulder dystocia (4.8 vs. 0.3 %) declined significantly. No significant differences were found regarding the mean newborn weight (3560 vs. 3508 g), weight percentile (55.5 vs. 56.4 %), length (51 cm), head size (35 cm), fetal distress (3.2 vs. 3.8 %), respiratory insufficiency (3.2 vs. 2.2 %), 5-min-Apgar (9.77 vs. 9.69) and arterial umbilical cord pH (7.27 vs. 7.26). Birth weight was not associated with the degree of obesity in 2005 compared to 1980. CONCLUSION: Despite the increasing prevalence and severity of obesity in pregnant women most parameters of neonatal outcome did not change. The observed relative rate of macrosomia and shoulder dystocia declined, but the case number of these complications is still relevant. Obviously obstetricians have responded appropriately to the changing risk profile.

[Influence of socio-economic status on the utilization of epidural analgesia during labor]. / Einfluss von Faktoren des sozioökonomischen Status auf die Anwendung der Periduralanästhesie subpartal.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the influence of socio-economic status on the utilization of epidural analgesia during labor. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Modes of delivery, insurance, marital status and maternal occupation were retrospectively reviewed between 2000 and 2003 according to the birth documentation of all deliveries at the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, university of Wuerzburg, Germany. Using the maternal occupation groups were formed according to the minimum degree of education required for its practise. Women with epidural analgesia during labor were compared to those without it. RESULTS: 30 % of all deliveries during the evaluated four years were aided by employing epidural analgesics. For both collectives there were no changes of percentages concerning insurance, marital status or maternal occupation during this time. With 12-24 %, epidural analgesia was more often performed in patients undergoing operative transvaginal deliveries in comparison to women without epidural analgesics (2-5 %). There are no differences between the two groups concerning maternal occupation, insurance or marital status. However, looking at the collective of women with epidural analgesia during labor, epidural analgesia is more often used among women with private insurance. Concerning the degree of education there is also a marginal significant difference in the utilization of epidural analgesia in favour for women with a higher educational degree. CONCLUSION: The use of intrapartum epidural analgesia is associated with insurance and maternal occupation/educational degree.

[Body stalk anomaly--a case report on a rare congenital defect]. / Body-Stalk-Anomalie (Syndrom der kurzen Nabelschnur)--Kasuistik einer seltenen Fehlbildung.

INTRODUCTION: A body stalk anomaly is a rare congenital defect. The anomaly is one of the anterior abdominal wall defects. It is characterized by severe clefts of the abdominal wall with absence of or very small, umbilical cord. CASE REPORT: We report on a patient in the 21st week of gestational age with the ultrasonographic findings of multiple fetal anomalies including a singular umbilical artery and an ahydramnion. She was sent to hospital for termination of the pregnancy. The karyotype was normal (46 XX). Ultrasonographic evaluation of the fetal anterior abdominal wall was impossible due to ahydramnion. Clinical examination showed an omphalocoele with herniation of the stomach, the small intestine, the liver and the spleen. A very short umbilical cord was observed which was attached to the omphalocoele. The lower limbs were deformed. Furthermore, anal atresia with an extroverted coele was found. Autopsy confirmed the clinical diagnosis of a body stalk anomaly. DISCUSSION: It is important to distinguish a body stalk anomaly from other types of anterior abdominal wall defects because of their prognosis and an appropriate medical management. A body stalk anomaly is a sporadic defect and not associated with chromosomal abnormalities. This congenital defect is invariably lethal.

Impact of three-dimensionally measured endometrial volume on the pregnancy rate after intrauterine insemination.

OBJECTIVE: The success of artificial reproductive techniques not only depends on the quality of oocytes and spermatozoa but also on the receptivity of the endometrium. The aim of this study was to assess the role of endometrial volume measurement by three-dimensional ultrasound in predicting the pregnancy rate (PR) in women receiving controlled ovarian hyperstimulation followed by intrauterine insemination. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 104 patients having intrauterine insemination (IUI) were included in this prospective trial. Ovarian hyperstimulation was performed with gonadotropins in 73 % of patients and with clomiphene citrate (CC) in 27 % of patients. Endometrial thickness, pattern and three-dimensional volume were measured immediately before insemination. RESULTS: In 104 IUI cycles a total of 14 clinical pregnancies were recorded (PR=13.5 %). The endometrial volume was 3.5 ml and was not significantly different in pregnant (4.0 +/- 1.5 ml) from non-pregnant women (3.4 +/- 1.9 ml). In the subgroup of women with an endometrial volume > or = 2 ml and trilaminar endometrium the pregnancy rate was 22 %, significantly higher than that in women without these two criteria (PR 6 %, p < 0.05). The negative predictive value of an endometrial volume < 2 ml for a clinical pregnancy after IUI was 96 %. Endometrial volume and thickness were significantly higher after ovarian hyperstimulation with gonadotropins (3.7 ml and 11.0 mm) than with CC (2.8 ml and 9.5 mm; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: An endometrial volume < 2 ml at the day of insemination is associated with a poor likelihood of pregnancy. Endometrial volume measured by 3D ultrasound is a new objective parameter to predict endometrial receptivity.