Biomedical subjects

E Rebecca Pschirrer

Publications and source records attributed to E Rebecca Pschirrer.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Seizure disorders in pregnancy.

This article discusses seizure disorders in pregnancy. Seizure disorder affects 1.1 million women of reproductive age in the United States. In 1995, the annual cost of treatment of patients who had epilepsy was estimated to be 12.5 billion dollars. Seizures are disorganized firing of neural cells. Epilepsy is the presence of two or more seizures in the absence of an identifiable cause for the seizures (ie, no intracranial or metabolic abnormality). Epilepsy has an impact on many aspects of women's health, particularly with respect to reproduction. The management of women who have epilepsy during pregnancy is the focus of this article.

Anticonvulsants↗

PubMed2004

Humerus length evaluation in different ethnic groups.

OBJECTIVE: Femoral length has gained much attention for its use as a marker for Down syndrome, and racial variation has been evaluated. We hypothesized that no racial differences in humerus length will be shown from 14 to 22 weeks' gestation. METHODS: Our sonography database was queried from January 1, 1994, to September 30, 2001, for obstetric sonographic examinations of singleton fetuses. Cases with incomplete data, fetal anomalies, and cases without documented ethnicity were excluded. Only 1 examination per fetus was used. Individual parameters were evaluated from 14 to 22 weeks' gestation in white non-Hispanic, Hispanic, African American, Asian, and Eastern Indian women. Linear regression was used to model the relation of humerus length to menstrual age and to compare the humerus length for gestational age among ethnic groups. We compared the sensitivity for Down syndrome detection from a standard expected humerus length formula and ethnic-specific formulas. RESULTS: We identified 1164 fetuses: 380 white, 224 Hispanic, 432 African American, 116 Asian, and 12 Eastern Indian. Comparing with white fetuses, we found differences in humerus length among African American (P < .001) and Asian (P < .001) fetuses but not among Hispanic fetuses (P = .98). The sensitivity for Down syndrome detection from standard and ethnic-specific formulas was identical. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, small differences in humerus length exist among ethnic groups. These differences did not affect the sensitivity of expected humerus length as a marker of Down syndrome in our diverse population.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Mirror syndrome. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Water retention in a pregnant woman can mirror fetal hydropic changes. This clinical presentation has been named "mirror syndrome." Awareness of the syndrome is important due to the associated fetal and maternal risks. CASE: A 26-year-old woman, gravida 3, para 1011, presented at 31 weeks' gestation with significant edema and a 7-km weight gain in one week. Sonographic evaluation revealed hydramnios and fetal ascites. Maternal workup was negative for preeclampsia, diabetes, or cardiac or renal dysfunction. A workup for nonimmune hydrops was also negative. Over the next three days there was progression of maternal edema. With diagnosis of mirror syndrome, the decision for delivery was made. Both neonate and mother subsequently did well, with normalization of ascites and edema, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our case, along with 19 reviewed in the literature, reiterate the features of mirror syndrome and provide an opportunity to dispel some of the misconceptions in the literature. The condition is frequently mistaken for preeclampsia, although distinguishing characteristics can be identified. Mirror syndrome is a manifestation of extremely severe fetal hydrops. When the specific cause of fetal hydrops cannot be identified and corrected, immediate delivery is necessary in order to avoid fetal death and maternal complications.

Adult↗