Amniocentesis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Amniocentesis, including details on pregnancy, prenatal screening, diagnosis, risks, down syndrome.

Lamellar bodies: platelet channel particles as predictors of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and of transient tachypnea of the newborn.

Piazze J, Cerekja A

Ultrasound Service, Ospedale di Ceprano, Frosinone, Italy.

Abstract Objective: We aimed to find a single numeric cut-off point in order to predict respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN), through quantification of the lamellar bodies (LBs) count. Materials and methods: Two hundred and twenty-seven single pregnancies delivered within 48 h from amniocentesis in a III level university hospital in a period between 1996 and 2007. LBs counts were determined by amniotic fluid (AF) sampling and after centrifugation in a commercially available Coulter counter. LBs counts were performed in order to predict the risk of neonatal RDS and also evaluated against the risk of TTN by means of the most suitable receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve in order to predict RDS and TTN. Results: The best LBs cut-off to significantly predict TTN was ≤35,000/μL [sensitivity 86%, specificity 75%, positive predictive value (PPV) 22% and negative predictive value (NPV) at 96%]. An LBs count ≤32,000/μL was the best compromise between sensitivity and specificity in predicting RDS or TTN [sensitivity 86%, specificity 83%, PPV 37% and NPV at 97%]. Conclusions: The quantification of LBs is a reliable method, simple to execute, useful in predicting RDS, and may be useful in evaluating suspicion of TTN.

Published 10 May 2011 in J Perinat Med, 39(3): 349-51.
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Articles on Amniocentesis published 5 May 2011:

A prospective study of congenital toxoplasmosis screening with use of IgG avidity and multiplex-nested PCR methods.   J Clin Microbiol.

Acute infection with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) during pregnancy can cause congenital toxoplasmosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether screening with use of IgG avidity and multiplex-nested PCR methods was effective to detect a high risk pregnancy. In a prospective study serum T. gondii IgG avidity was measured in consecutive 146 pregnant women with positive for T. gondii antibody plus positive or equivocal for IgM. Multiplex-nested PCR for T. gondii DNA on amniotic fluid, ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Amniocentesis published 2 May 2011:

Prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis in Spain: analysis and evaluation of the results obtained from amniotic fluid samples during the last decade.   Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol.

Chromosome abnormalities are one of the main causes of congenital defects, and establishing their frequency according to the different clinical indications for invasive procedure during pregnancy is especially important for genetic counselling. We analyzed the results of 29,883 amniotic fluid samples referred to our laboratory for cytogenetic studies from 1998 to 2009, which constitutes the largest series of cytogenetic analysis performed on amniotic fluid samples in Spain. The number of ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Twin pregnancies: guidelines for clinical practice from the French College of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF).   Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, 156(1): 12-7.

The rate of twin deliveries in 2008 was 15.6 per 1000 in France, an increase of approximately 80% since the beginning of the 1970s. It is recommended that chorionicity be diagnosed as early as possible in twin pregnancies (Professional Consensus). The most relevant signs (close to 100%) are the number of gestational sacs between 7 and 10 weeks and the presence of a lambda sign between 11 and 14 weeks (Professional Consensus). In twin pregnancies, nuchal translucency is the best parameter for ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Amniocentesis published 28 April 2011:

The implication of second-trimester amniotic fluid TNF-alpha, cytochrome C and cell death nucleosomes in the prediction of preterm labor and/or premature rupture of membranes.   Arch Gynecol Obstet.

AIM: The multifactorial pathway leading to preterm labor possibly includes the implication of apoptosis. This study aimed to clarify the role of amniotic fluid apoptotic molecules (TNF-alpha, cytochrome C and cell death nucleosomes) at midtrimester as possible predictors of preterm labor (PTL) and/or premature rupture of membranes (PROM). METHOD: In this case-control study, comprising 360 women undergoing genetic amniocentesis and out of whom 38 delivered preterm and 18 out of the latter after ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Amniocentesis published 26 April 2011:

Clinical application of fetal sex determination using cell-free fetal DNA in pregnant carriers of X-linked genetic disorders.   J Hum Genet, 56(4): 296-9.

As the first step in prenatal diagnosis of X-linked genetic disorders, chorionic villus sampling (CVS) for fetal sex determination is generally performed at 11-13 weeks of gestation. However, as the procedure-related miscarriage rate of CVS is 0.5-1.0%, non-invasive methods such as PCR of cell-free fetal DNA (cff-DNA) in maternal plasma are preferable. Here, we determined fetal sex at 9-12 weeks of gestation using PCR of cff-DNA in three pregnant carriers of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Amniocentesis published 25 April 2011:

Placental mesenchymal dysplasia, a case of intrauterine sudden death of fetus with rupture of cirsoid periumbilical chorionic vessels.   Diagn Pathol, 6(1): 38.

ABSTRACT: We report a 32-year-old woman (1-gravid, 1-para) with a vesicular lesion in her uterus that was pointed out on ultrasound at 8 weeks' gestation. Amniocentesis at 15 weeks' gestation showed a normal female karyotype, 46XX. As the pregnancy advanced, the mole-like lesion became relatively reduced. Throughout gestation, the maternal human chorionic gonadotropin level was normal, but the serum alpha fetoprotein level rose as her pregnancy progressed. Her fetus did not exhibit any ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Placental mesenchymal dysplasia, a case of intrauterine sudden death of fetus with rupture of cirsoid periumbilical chorionic vessels.   Diagn Pathol, 6(1): 38.

ABSTRACT: We report a 32-year-old woman (1-gravid, 1-para) with a vesicular lesion in her uterus that was pointed out on ultrasound at 8 weeks' gestation. Amniocentesis at 15 weeks' gestation showed a normal female karyotype, 46XX. As the pregnancy advanced, the mole-like lesion became relatively reduced. Throughout gestation, the maternal human chorionic gonadotropin level was normal, but the serum alpha fetoprotein level rose as her pregnancy progressed. Her fetus did not exhibit any ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Amniocentesis published 18 April 2011:

Unexpected suppression of anti-Fy(a) and prevention of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn after administration of Rh immune globulin.   Transfusion, 51(4): 816-9.

[Abstract] [Full-text]

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