Pregnancies in liver and kidney transplant recipients: a review of the current literature and recommendation.

In this article, we focus on the biggest groups of organ transplant recipients, patients with a kidney or liver graft. Among these patients, about one sixth included women of childbearing potential. Therefore, the wish of getting pregnant is frequent in these peculiar patients, and careful planning and management of the pregnancies requires the expertise of obstetricians, midwives and transplant experts. Altogether, the outcome of the pregnancies in these women is acceptable. About 75% off all pregnancies ended successfully with live births, and this is comparable if not superior to pregnancies in healthy women. This success might be caused not only by the special and intensive care provided to these high-risk pregnancies by the transplant centres but also by the low rate of unplanned pregnancies. The risk of rejections and organ loss after delivery is about 10%, and it is slightly enhanced in liver transplant recipients (LTRs) in comparison to kidney graft recipients (KTRs) but the number of organ losses in direct association with a pregnancy is rare. However, there is not only a higher frequency of pregnancy-associated disorders such as pre-eclampsia and preterm delivery but also an acceleration of hypertension, new-onset diabetes mellitus and newly arising infections also favoured by the maintained immunosuppressive therapy. This implies a specialized 'control system' for these pregnant women that comprises ultrasound and Doppler investigation for risk assessment, infection screening, suitable therapy and the choice of non-teratogenic immunosuppressives. Antihypertensive treatment must be well balanced and adjusted to the possible growth-retarding effect on the foetus as well as on the co-morbidity of the mother. Finally, supplementation of vitamin D and iron is much more important in these transplanted women than in healthy pregnant women as vitamin D deficiency and anaemia are discussed to have an impact on pre-eclampsia and preterm delivery. These claims are widely discussed. Furthermore, the current literature is systematically reviewed by Scopus analysis.

[Management of heart diseases in pregnancy: rheumatic and congenital heart disease, myocardial infarction and post partum cardiomyopathy]. / Management kardiovaskulärer Erkrankungen während der Schwangerschaft: Vitien, Myokardinfarkt und Schwangerschaftskardiomyopathie.

Heart disease is present in 0.5-1% of all pregnancies. It is the leading non-obstetric cause of maternal mortality accounting for about 10-15% of all maternal death. Over the last decades the underlying cardiac disease has changed. Also new therapeutic options have been developed. In western industrial countries the incidence of acquired rheumatic heart disease has declined. In contrast, as a result of neonatal corrective or palliative surgery, congenital heart disease has become an increasing and challenging problem. Maternal older age and the increase in women's smoking habits amplify the likelihood of coronary artery disease. Multiple therapeutic options including percutaneous interventions are available and novel therapeutic concepts are emerging i.e. for peripartum cardiomyopathy. Management of pregnancy, labor and delivery requires accurate diagnosis of the underlying cardiac disorder. Hemodynamic changes physiologically occurring during pregnancy have a different impact depending on the type and severity of cardiac anomalies. Management of these patients requires teamwork of obstetricians, neonatologists, cardiologists, anesthetists and sometimes cardiac surgeons.

[Influence of circadian rhythm on fetal and maternal Doppler parameters--is a diurnal variation detectable?]. / Einfluss von zirkadianer rhythmik auf fetale und maternale Dopplerparameter--ist eine tageszeitliche veränderung nachweisbar?

INTRODUCTION: Doppler sonography is an established method in fetal medicine. Up to now a possible circadian rhythm of fetal and maternal Doppler parameters has only been insufficiently characterized and documented. This survey aimed at evaluating the significance of Doppler parameters with regard to diurnal variations. We have analyzed whether or not a circadian rhythm of fetal and maternal Doppler parameters is detectable. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A non-selected collective of 100 patients with a singleton pregnancy between the 20th and 39th week of gestation was examined with Doppler sonography at the Medical School of Hannover. Besides the Doppler sonography, which was performed at three fixed times a day, the maternal blood pressure was examined each time. Outcome parameters were resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI) and the maximum velocity (V (max)) of the A. umbilicalis, A. cerebri media and the Aa. uterinae as well as the maternal blood pressure. RESULTS: There were no significant differences for the RI, PI and V (max) of the Aa. uterinae for the whole collective, nor for the subgroups of maternal hypertonia, preeclampsia, notching and fetal growth restriction (IUGR). There were also no significant diurnal variations of the Doppler parameters for the fetal vessels. In particular, there were no differences in the measured Doppler parameters in comparison to the collective with unremarkable gravidity. In some subgroups statistical significance could be achieved, but due to the minor variations, no clinical importance has to be considered. CONCLUSION: A circadian rhythm of the Doppler parameters could not be confirmed in the examined collective. The time of the applied Doppler sonography on physiological conditions might represent a factor which does not affect the validity of the Doppler sonographic results. As a consequence a single Doppler examination at a freely chosen time seems to be sufficient to obtain a correct assessment of fetal and maternal blood perfusion. Further studies on larger collectives are necessary to evaluate the clinical importance of a possible circadian rhythm, especially in fetuses with pathological Doppler values.

[Gestational diabetes under clinical conditions in aspired normoglycemia: investigation for correlation of blood glucose daily profiles and fetometric ultrasound parameters]. / Der Gestationsdiabetes unter klinischen Bedingungen bei angestrebter Normoglykämie: Korrelationsuntersuchungen zwischen maternalen Blutzuckertagesprofilen und fetometrischen Ultraschallparametern.

BACKGROUND: One of the therapeutic aims in gestational diabetes (GDM) is to prevent the development of fetal hypertrophy by adaptation of maternal glycemic control. Relating to this context, maternal blood glucose daily profiles and fetal biometry ultrasound parameters were analysed for a possible correlation. A special focus was given to the question as to whether a latency period exists for this possible connection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 152 pregnancies affected by GDM, without fetal malformations or aneuploidies, were enrolled. Altogether, 746 ultrasound examinations consisting of 7 fetometric parameters each and 1 288 blood glucose daily profiles originating from the 20 (th) to 40 (th) gestational week were systematically investigated for interrelation by correlation and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: No robust, constant correlation between the analysed parameters could be observed. However, marked differences between latency periods were noticed. Blood glucose parameters, which revealed significant regressions with fetal abdominal circumference, had an average time lag of 6.2 +/- 2.5 weeks, whereas the latency period for head circumference averaged 2.4 +/- 1.2 weeks. The overall small-for-gestational-age (SGA) rate was 20 %, pregnant women with a body mass index > 30 kg / m (2) revealed the highest rate of 28 %. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic intervention depending on sonographically detected hypertrophy must be considered as being delayed. The currently valid therapeutic criteria including intended normoglycemia and regular fetometric ultrasound controls cannot prevent markedly high SGA rates, especially among obese women, in adequately treated GDM.

[Pregnancies without prenatal care--which women are potentially affected, what are the inherent fetal risks?]. / Schwangerschaften ohne Vorsorgeuntersuchung--welche Frauen sind potenziell betroffen, welche Risiken ergeben sich für das Kind?

BACKGROUND: In the past decades prenatal care has lead to a reduction in maternal and fetal-neonatal morbidity and mortality. However, the number of examinations that should be recommended - especially in low-risk pregnancies - is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: Women not taking part in prenatal care resemble a subgroup of pregnant women at risk. The objective of this study was to define characteristic parameters based on patient's history and clinical outcome and which maternal and fetal-neonatal morbidity has to be taken into account. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 913 255 data sets of the Perinatal Registry Lower Saxony, Germany, between 1987 and 1999 n = 2 208 pregnancies (0.24 %) were documented as 'not taken part in prenatal care', while n = 163 143 pregnancies were identified as having undergone optimal prenatal care according to the recommendations. Both groups were compared regarding pregnancy associated and obstetrical parameters. Data are given as odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) for pregnancies without any prenatal care vs. pregnancies with standard prenatal care. RESULTS: History of still birth: OR 1.750 (1.175 - 2.609), p < 0.05; mother single: 7.271 (6.603 - 8.006), p < 0.01; maternal age < 18 yrs: 9.904 (7.771 - 12.624), p < 0.01; maternal age > 40 yrs: 3.781 (2.900 - 4.907), p < 0.01; German vs. other origin: 0.214 (0.196 - 0.234), p < 0.01; preterm birth: 2.667 (2.380 - 2.989), p < 0.01; cesarean section: 0.728 (0.644 - 0.823), p < 0.05; birth weight < 5 %: 2.552 (2.140 - 2.943), p < 0.01; APGAR at 1 min < 3: 5.463 (4.521 - 6.602), p < 0.01; umbilical artery pH < 7.0: 2.941 (1.753 - 4.932), p < 0.01; neonatal intubation: 3.945 (3.244 - 4.797), p > 0.01; still birth: 6.089 (4.731 - 7.838), p < 0.01; death post partum: 4.444 (3.008 - 6.567), p < 0.01. CONCLUSION: Pregnant women not taking part in prenatal care are younger or older, more frequently foreigners, and present characteristics of a lower socioeconomic status. These pregnancies are associated with a very high potential of neonatal morbidity. From a both medical and economic point of view, it appears to be reasonable to specifically look after those women before or during pregnancy.

[Marfan syndrome in pregnancy: presentation of four cases and discussion]. / Das Marfan-Syndrom in der Schwangerschaft: Vorstellung von vier Kasuistiken und Diskussion dieser Koinzidenz.

The coincidence of Marfan syndrome and pregnancy means a high risk for mother and child, as it is associated with cardiovascular and obstetric complications. We report our experience of four pregnancies with the Marfan syndrome. The course of pregnancy, the peripartum management and both the maternal and neonatal outcomes of four pregnant women with the Marfan syndrome, who were treated in our department between 1995 and 2005, were retrospectively analysed. The pregnancies of two women were complicated by premature rupture of membranes (36 (th) gestational week) and premature uterine contractions with cervical incompetence (30 (th) gestational week), respectively. One patient developed class 3 (NYHA) heart failure in the 3 (rd) trimenon. Two out of four women had mild cardiovascular disease and could deliver vaginally. In the other two cases a primary Caesarean section was performed at the 36 (th) week of gestation because of severe cardiovascular morbidity. No patient had a progressive aortic dilatation, dissection or rupture. The neonatal outcome was uneventful in all cases. Three newborns underwent a genetic evaluation for the Marfan syndrome, in two of them mutations in the fibrillin 1 gene were detected. Women with the Marfan syndrome should be counselled pre-conception and observed by an interdisciplinary team during pregnancy. If the aortic root diameter is < 40 mm, without progression in pregnancy, and in the absence of severe valve insufficiency, then pregnancy is in most cases well tolerated and vaginal delivery can be performed.

[References values for the fetal nasal bone in the first trimenon of pregnancy in a normal collective. A prospective study]. / Referenzwerte für das fetale Nasenbein im ersten Trimenon in einem Normalkollektiv.

BACKGROUND: Examination of the fetal nasal bone by ultrasound between 11 and 14 weeks gestation has been proposed as an additional tool in the detection of trisomy 21. However, the variability in the identification and the normal length of the fetal nasal bone have not been investigated sufficiently as yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate this parameter and to establish normal ranges for nasal bone length. METHOD: Ultrasound examinations were carried out in 122 fetuses at 9, 10, 11, 12 and 20 weeks gestation. On the scans, the fetal profile was examined for the possibility of identification of the nasal bone. Normal nasal bone length reference ranges were generated using prenatal measurements. RESULTS: The fetal profile was successfully examined in all cases. The nasal bone could first be visualised at 9 weeks gestation. The identification of the fetal nasal bone in all cases was achieved at 12 weeks gestation. The median nasal bone length was 0.29 mm at 9 weeks gestation, 0.96 mm at 10 weeks gestation, 1.73 mm at 11 weeks gestation, 2.25 at 12 weeks gestation, and 6.18 mm at 20 weeks gestation. CONCLUSION: The reference ranges for the measurement of the fetal nasal bone length are similar to the findings in the published literature. Only with a knowledge of reference ranges for nasal bone length in normal fetuses can conclusions be drawn about the presence/absence of the bone or the presence of a hypoplastic nasal bone. Further studies are necessary to confirm these results and to obtain larger datasets to assess nasal bone as a quantitative marker.

[Analysis of the Nuchal Transparency (NT) screening concept at the gynecologocial clinic of MHH: a prospective follow-up study]. / Analyse des Nackentransparenz (NT-)Screeningkonzepts an der Frauenklinik der MHH: Eine prospektive Follow-up-Studie.

BACKGROUND: To date, various and partly competitive screening strategies for the risk calculation of trisomy 21 are applied in Germany. The aim of this study was to control the published test performance data of different methods in an unselected group of patients, thus allowing us to clearly assess the practical value of the respective methods. PATIENTS AND METHODS: At the MH Hannover, 744 women with a singleton pregnancy underwent an NT measurement according to the FMF guidelines. Additionally, 590 of these women had a PAPP-A and free ssHCG testing in a laboratory accredited by the FMF London. The fetal outcome of all 744 patients examined was assessed. Based on these data, test performance values were calculated for each test strategy under the hypothetical assumption that every women would have followed the same screening strategy. RESULTS: Age-related screening revealed to have the highest false-positive rate (25 %). Age screening combined with serum markers showed to have the highest sensitivity (100 %). Screening combining age, NT measurement and serum markers yielded the highest specificity (97 %). Combined screening by NT and age achieved the same sensitivity as age-related screening with a markedly lower false-positive rate than screening combining age and serum markers. Invasive tests were performed in 11 % of the patients. In 8 % of these, a pathologic karyotype was detected. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison to age-related screening, first trimester screening allows us to define groups at risk for trisomy 21 more clearly. This seems to justify the clinical importance of this search strategy, and accordingly, invasive procedures are done less frequently in a higher proportion of younger women.

[Hospitalization, type of obstetrical clinic and anamnestic risk profile of pregnant women with pregestational diabetes mellitus--results of the perinatal registry of Lower Saxony, Germany]. / Krankenhausaufenthalte, Entbindungskliniken und anamnestisches Risikoprofil präkonzeptioneller Diabetikerinnen--Ergebnisse der Niedersächsischen Perinatalerhebung.

INTRODUCTION: Obstetric and diabetic societies recommend an intensive care of pregnancies in women with pregestational diabetes, an early hospitalization in case of obstetric and internal complications as well as delivery in a perinatal center. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the number and duration of hospitalization of pregnant women with pregestational diabetes in comparison with non-diabetic women and further more the type of clinics in which both groups were delivered. We also investigated if there were any differences in anamnestic risk factors in correlation with the type of hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data of the Perinatal Registry of Lower Saxony, Germany, between 1990 and 1999 were analyzed retrospectively. The pregnancies of 2 543 women with pregestational diabetes were compared with the pregnancies of 707 695 non-diabetic women. RESULTS: There was at least one admission to hospital in 40 % of diabetic and 18.6 % of non diabetic women and more than one admission in 11.9 and 3.6 %, respectively (p < 0.001). The number and duration of hospitalization in both groups decreased significantly within the observation period. 57.7 % of all hospitals performed 1 to 4 and 11 % of the hospitals 5 to 9 deliveries of diabetic women per year. In the group of pregnant women with pregestational diabetes 45 % were delivered in clinics with 1 to 4 and 26.4 % in clinics with 5 to 9 deliveries of diabetic women per year. CONCLUSIONS: A higher number and duration of hospitalization was observed in the diabetic group, but both decreased significantly in each group during the observation period. No significant trend for delivering diabetic women in specialized high-risk units could be detected.

[Intrauterine fetal death in pregnancies of women with preconceptional and gestational diabetes mellitus and of women without glucose tolerance disorders. Results of the perinatal registry of Lower Saxony, Germany]. / Intrauteriner Tod des Feten bei präkonzeptionellem Diabetes, Gestationsdiabetes und Schwangerschaften ohne diabetische Stoffwechsellage. Ergebnisse der Perinatalstatistik Niedersachsen.

OBJECT: The prevalence of intrauterine fetal death as well as the relevant risk factors in pregnancies of women with preconceptional and gestational diabetes mellitus and non-diabetic women were investigated. METHODS: The data of the Perinatal Registry of Lower Saxony between 1987 and 1999 for pregnancies of women with preconceptional diabetes mellitus (PDM, n = 3351), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM, n = 3954) and women without diabetes mellitus (non-diabetic pregnancies, NDM, n = 887,779) were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: Intrauterine fetal death occurred in 46 women with PDM (1.35 %), 32 women with GDM (0.79 %) and 2756 non-diabetic women (0.31 %). The odds ratio (OR, 95 % CI) for PDM vs. NDM was 4.468 (3.332 - 5.992; p < 0.01) and for GDM vs. NDM it was 2.595 (1.829 - 3.682; p < 0.01). The percentage of death, which occurs before the 32nd week of gestation, was 13 % in pregnancies with PDM, 12.5 % in pregnancies with GDM and 27.7 % in non-diabetic pregnancies. 50 % of fetal deaths in the PDM group, 43.8 % of those in the GDM group and 39.3 % of those in the NDM group occurred after the 36th week of gestation. The percentages of dead fetuses who were under the 10th percentile of growth (small for gestational age, SGA), in pregnancies with PDM, GDM and NDM were 15.2 %, 6.3 %, and 28.7 %, respectively. The percentages of dead fetuses above the 90th percentile of growth (large for gestational age, LGA) were 41.3 % (PDM), 37.5 % (GDM), and 8.7 % (NDM), (p < 0.01 for PDM vs. NDM and for GDM vs. NDM). CONCLUSION: The risk of intrauterine fetal death in pregnancies of diabetic women is still increased. It seems that especially the LGA fetuses of diabetic mothers and SGA fetuses of non-diabetic mothers are at greater risk of intrauterine death.

[Perinatal morbidity in pregnancies of women with preconceptional and gestational diabetes mellitus in comparison with pregnancies of non-diabetic women. Results of the perinatal registry of Lower Saxony, Germany]. / Perinatale Morbidität in Schwangerschaften von präkonzeptionellen Diabetikerinnen und Gestationsdiabetikerinnen im Vergleich mit Nichtdiabetikerinnen. Ergebnisse der Niedersächsischen Perinatalerhebung.

OBJECTIVE: Pregnancies of women with glucose tolerance disorders are still associated with high maternal and perinatal morbidity. In the present population-based study, we investigated the fetal and neonatal risks and complications in pregnancies of women with preconceptional and gestational diabetes in comparison with pregnancies of non-diabetic women. METHODS: A total of 913,255 pregnancies with 926,685 newborns documented by the Perinatal Registry of Lower Saxony, Germany, between 1987 and 1999 was retrospectively evaluated. In particular, the obstetric parameters of 3439 women with preconceptional diabetes mellitus (PDM, n = 3485 neonates), 4051 women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM, n = 4155 neonates) and 905,765 non-diabetic women (NDM, n = 919.053 neonates) were analysed. RESULTS: The diabetes groups had a higher rate of preterm birth < 31st week of gestation (PDM vs. NDM odds ratio [OR] 2.341; GDM vs. NDM OR 1.483) and between the 32nd and 37th weeks of gestation (OR 3.688 and 2.418, respectively). The incidences of pathological cardiotocograms (OR 1.519 and 1.258, respectively) and acidosis as indication for operative delivery (OR 5,015 and 2,102, respectively) were increased in the diabetes groups. There was a higher prevalence of birth weight > 4500 g (OR 2.775 and 2.742, respectively) and >95. percentile (OR 4.268 and 3.610, respectively) in newborns of diabetic women. The higher rate of umbilical arterial pH < 7.00 (OR 2.481 and 1.195, respectively) as well as Apgar score at 1 minute <7 (OR 2.971 and 1.897, respectively) indicated a poorer neonatal outcome in pregnancies of women with diabetes mellitus. The frequency of necessary intubation of the infants was significantly higher in the diabetes group (OR 3.384 and 1.317, respectively). There also was an increased prevalence of intrauterine fetal death in pregnancies of diabetic women (OR 4.197 and 2.511, respectively). CONCLUSION: Pregnancies of women with diabetes mellitus are still correlated with higher perinatal risks and complications. The neonatal morbidity in pregnancies with gestational diabetes mellitus was more similar to that of pregnancies with preconceptional diabetes mellitus than to the morbidity in the group of non-diabetic women. Changes of the parameters within the observation period were the same in all three groups and therefore cannot be attributed to a primary more intensive prenatal care of diabetic women.

[Increased fetal nuchal translucency as a predictor of Cantrell's pentology--case report]. / Erhöhte fetale Nackentransparenz als Prädiktor für eine Cantrellsche Pentalogie -- eine Kasuistik.

Increased fetal nuchal translucency (NT) is not only associated with chromosomal aberrations such as Down syndrome but is also predictive for fetal malformations such as cardiac anomalies or an omphalocele. Conversely, an omphalocele can be associated with other structural or chromosomal abnormalities. Cantrell's pentalogy is a rare congenital syndrome involving a midline supraumbilical abdominal wall defect, a defect of the lower part of the sternum, a deficiency of the anterior diaphragm, a defect in the diaphragmatic pericardium and congenital heart malformation. Its prevalence amounts to 5.5 per 1 million neonates. The aetiology is still unknown. We present a case with a pentalogy of Cantrell detected by an increased NT. A 23-year-old woman, primigravida, was referred to our unit at 10 + 3 weeks gestation with an increased NT. Ultrasound scan revealed a CRL of 31.1 mm and an NT of 3.2 mm. In addition to this an omphalocele with a herniac sac involving a part of the liver was suspected. Because of these sonographic findings a chromosomal analysis (CVS) was performed. The karyotype of the fetus showed to be normal (46 XX). A follow-up scan at 13 + 3 weeks gestation demonstrated the foetal abdomen with a supraumbilical midline abdominal wall defect with a large omphalocele containing the liver and stomach as well as an ectopia cordis. The extremities, head and spine seemed to be normal. After detailed counselling about the severity of the syndrome and its dismal prognosis the couple decided for a termination of pregnancy. Autopsy confirmed the prenatal sonographic findings. Measurement of foetal nuchal translucency at first-trimester screening has become a routine procedure in the early targeted search for foetal Down syndrome and other aneuploides. Investigations showed that increased NT is also associated with cardiac malformations. As a special form of a cardiac abnormality in conjunction with an omphalocele, it seems that the pentalogy of Cantrell is facultatively also associated with an increased NT at the end of the first trimenon and should be considered in the differential diagnosis as a cause of increased NT.

Ultrasound simulators: experience with the SonoTrainer and comparative review of other training systems.

Ultrasound has become indispensable in prenatal diagnosis. Ultrasound training, however, still lacks proper quality assessment and control. Moreover, most fetal anomalies which must be diagnosed during pregnancy are extremely rare. Ultrasound simulators could provide an opportunity to overcome this dilemma. This review summarizes the potential benefits of simulator-based ultrasound training, briefly describes the properties of a variety of ultrasound simulators that have been developed for various applications including prenatal diagnosis, and presents the SonoTrainer sonography simulation system which makes it possible to run a real-time simulation of a complete prenatal ultrasound examination. We evaluated the system for the training of first- and second-trimester screening for both normal and pathological findings and found that physicians who received theoretical training and were additionally trained with the simulator (T + S) significantly improved their skills in measurements of nuchal translucency thickness (NT) and crown-rump length (CRL) as compared with colleagues who only underwent theoretical instruction (T) [mean +/- SD NT deviation: 0.31 +/- 0.1 mm (T + S) vs. 0.62 +/- 0.2 mm (T), P < 0.05; mean +/- SD CRL deviation: 1.48 +/- 2.0 mm (T + S) vs. 3.27 +/- 2.5 (T), P < 0.05]. Simulator-based training enabled physicians to diagnose rare fetal anomalies in the second trimester with a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 100%. In a study in which second-trimester scans including fetal anomalies were presented to physicians, 96% of the participants subjectively estimated their training effect as being good. We therefore conclude that simulator-based training would provide an ideal educational tool to test, improve and monitor a physician's or technician's ultrasound skills in detecting fetal anomalies.

[Influence of antenatal acupuncture on cardiotocographic parameters and maternal circulation - a prospective study]. / Einfluss von antenataler Akupunktur auf kardiotokographische Parameter und maternalen Kreislauf - Eine prospektive Studie.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture as a non-evidence-based therapy modality is widely used in obstetrics prior to and during delivery. Thus far, only few studies investigated the impact of acupuncture on obstetric surveillance parameters like cardiotocography. The aim of this study was to control the effect of clearly-defined acupuncture on CTG parameters. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 61 low-risk singleton pregnancies between 30 + 0 and 39 + 6 weeks of gestation were prospectively treated with acupuncture at GV 20 and ST 36 bilaterally for the purpose of maternal relaxation by the same investigator under CTG control. Before (Phase 1), during (Phase 2) and after (Phase 3) treatment the cardiotocogram was recorded. Controlled parameters of outcome were the Fisher score, uterine activity (Phase 1, 2, 3) and maternal blood pressure and pulse before (Phase 1) and after (Phase 2) administration of acupuncture. In a matched control group, 60 pregnant women were monitored by an identical scheme without application of acupuncture and the same outcome parameters were recorded. RESULTS: : The CTG analysis revealed a statistically significant increase of the Fisher score as well as uterine activity which tended to trace back to pretherapeutic initial values. The systolic maternal blood pressure was found to show a statistically significant decrease while diastolic blood pressure and pulse frequency remained unchanged. In the control group, the comparison of phase 1 vs. phase 2 showed a statistically significant increase of the Fischer score and uterine activity. During phase 3 the Fischer score further increased in contrast to a statistically significant slight reduction of uterine activity. Maternal systolic blood pressure measured at the end of phase 2 was found to be statistically reduced while diastolic blood pressure and pulse remained unchanged. The extent of the systolic blood pressure reduction was markedly higher in the acupuncture group as compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Antenatal acupuncture as a reflex therapy for the purpose of maternal relaxation seems to exert an influence on short-term alterations of the fetal activity (transient increase in terms of Fischer score) with reversibly increased uterine activity as detected by cardiotocography. Also, a slight reduction of the maternal blood pressure seems to be effected. The phenomena recorded in the control group (relaxation without supportive acupuncture treatment) revealed to be partially concordant (reversibly increased uterine activity, mild maternal reduction of systolic blood pressure) and partially discordant (persisting increase of Fischer score) as compared with the acupuncture group. Acupuncture seems not only to have a psychological, but also a short-term somatic effect with direct influence on maternal and fetal circulation parameters. Other established surveillance parameters and different points of acupuncture should be studied to further elucidate the underlying interaction as well as the duration of this effect.

[The concentration of carnitine in the last trimester of pregnancy subject to glucose tolerance]. / Die Konzentration der Carnitinfraktionen im III. Trimenon der Schwangerschaft in Abhängigkeit von der Glukosetoleranz.

OBJECTIVE: In this study the correlations between the concentration of carnitine and an increasing glucose intolerance in women with untreated, non insulin dependent gestational diabetes (GDM) were examined. METHODS: 129 pregnant women were challenged with an oral 75 gm glucose load in the last trimester. Patients were assigned to five different groups with increasing glucose intolerance depending on the maximal glucose level after glucose challenge. Blood samples for measurement of free and acyl carnitine (spectrophotometric method) were taken prior to glucose evaluation. RESULTS: In correlation with increasing glucose intolerance concentration of acyl carnitine rose from 3.43 +/- 1.62 micromol/l (normal glucose tolerance) to 4.62 +/- 1.93 micromol/l (gestational diabetes) while free carnitine decreased from 12.17 +/- 2.71 micromol/l to 11.52 +/- 2.90 micromol/l (p > 0.05). The quotient of acyl carnitine/free carnitine was significantly higher in women with GDM than in women with normal glucose tolerance. CONCLUSION: Due to the high overlap of results, carnitine isn 't suitable for further differentiation of glucose metabolism or to evaluate the efficacy of therapy in non insulin dependent GDM.

[Glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibody concentration and glucose tolerance in late pregnancy]. / Glutamat-Azetat-Dekarboxylase-Autoantikörper-Konzentration und Glukosetoleranz in der Spätschwangerschaft.

Genetic and immunological factors may play a role as possible causes for gestational diabetes. Autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADA) are frequently found in patients with insulin dependent diabetes, but have only rarely been analyzed with regard to the carbohydrate tolerance in pregnancy. An oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT) with 75 g glucose was performed in 110 pregnant patients during the third trimenon. Glucose (glucose dehydrogenase method) and insulin (RIA) concentrations were measured after 0, 30, 60, 120, and 180 minutes. Patients were divided into five groups of increasing glucose intolerance based on the highest glucose concentration reached during the oGTT. GADA were measured using a quantitative enzyme-immunoassay. Only a single patient showed pathologically elevated GADA, and her oGTT results were within the normal range. GADA in subjects with normal pathological glucose tolerance showed no significant difference (276.6 +/- 151.6 and 263.0 +/- 107.1 mU/ml respectively). There was a tendency of positive correlations between high GADA-levels and higher concentrations of insulin as well as an increased insulin-glucose-index. These findings suggest that pregnant patients with higher GADA-levels may have an increased insulin resistance. In conclusion, the concentration of GADA was not found to be helpful in evaluating the current metabolic situation in gestational diabetes. It remains unclear whether elevated GADA during pregnancy have a prognostic value regarding the manifestation of overt diabetes mellitus later in life.

[Changes in insulin-glucose quotients in a glucose tolerance test in the third trimester]. / Veränderungen der Insulin-Glukose-Quotienten während eines Glukosetoleranztests im III. Trimenon.

OBJECTIVE: In comparison a higher insulin-glucose-index is usually associated with an increased insulin resistance. In the present study changes in insulin-glucose-indices were examined in relation to a defined glucose tolerance in the last trimester of pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 249 pregnant women were challenged with a 75 gm oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT). Serum samples for glucose (glucose-dehydrogenase-method) and insulin measurements (RIA) were drawn before and at 30, 60, 120, and 180 minutes after glucose load during oGTT. Patients were assigned to five groups with increasing glucose intolerance according to maximal glucose levels during the test. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in insulin-glucose-indices prior to glucose load. Pregnant women with gestational diabetes were shown to have significantly lower insulin-glucose-indices in the early and intermediate phase of the challenge test while the indices were higher in the final phase of the test. CONCLUSIONS: Women with gestational diabetes demonstrated an initial delay in insulin secretion in combination with a higher insulin-glucose-index, corresponding to an increased insulin resistance, only in the end of the test. These characteristics may possibly be a cause of the observed disorder in glucose metabolism in these patients.

[Wilson disease and pregnancy. Review of the literature and case report]. / Morbus Wilson und Schwangerschaft. Literaturübersicht und kasuistische Mitteilung.

Wilson's disease is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism. Since the introduction of penicillamine treatment successful pregnancies have been reported. However little is known about the risks of breast feeding in patients on this medication. We describe the case of a patient suffering from Wilson's disease, who had two uncomplicated pregnancies and breast fed both children for a period of three months each. In the 22 year old gravida I para I the diagnosis of Wilson's disease had been previously made by liver biopsy and penicillamine therapy had been begun. At the time of her first presentation at our department she was 8 week pregnant. Her renal and liver function were normal. Neurologic or psychiatric symptoms were not observed. At 18 weeks the dosage of penicillamine was reduced from 900 mg/d to 750 mg/d. The course of the pregnancy remained uneventful. At 38 + 1 weeks a healthy boy of 3100 gm was delivered. 19 months later the patient presented again in the 16th week of her second pregnancy. Concerning Wilson's disease no major changes were observed, especially liver and renal function were not impaired. The dosage of penicillamin was reduced from 900 mg/d to 750 mg/d during the 21st week. The pregnancy again was uncomplicated and at 38 + 2 weeks resulted in the spontaneous deliver of a healthy boy, weighting 3940 gm. Both children were breast fed over a period of three months and with the exception of an icterus prolongatus no adverse effects were noted.