PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H J Voigt

Publications and source records attributed to H J Voigt.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A procedure to define natural groundwater conditions of groundwater bodies in Germany.

Commissioned by Germany's Working Group of the Federal States on Water Problems (LAWA) the authors developed a procedure to define natural groundwater conditions from groundwater monitoring data. The distribution pattern of a specific groundwater parameter observed by a number of groundwater monitoring stations within a petrographically comparable groundwater typology is reproduced by two statistical distribution functions, representing the "natural" and "influenced" components. The range of natural groundwater concentrations is characterized by confidence intervals of the distribution function of the natural component. The applicability of the approach was established for four hydrochemically different groundwater typologies occurring throughout Germany. Based on groundwater monitoring data from 7920 groundwater monitoring stations, 15 different hydrochemical parameters were evaluated for each groundwater typology. For all investigated parameters the range of natural groundwater concentrations has been identified. According to the requirements of the EC Water Framework Directive (article 17) (WFD) this study is a basis for the German position to propose criteria for assessing a reference state for a "good groundwater chemical status".

Environmental Monitoring↗

[Rapid karyotyping in the 2nd and 3rd trimester: results and experiences].

Rapid karyotyping in the second and third trimester is an increasing field of collaboration between women's hospitals and human genetics. Techniques available for rapid karyotyping are: 1. Amniocentesis; to obtain amniotic fluid cells for culturing and subsequent chromosome harvesting using the pipette method or the "in situ" technique. The average time between preparation of the amniotic fluid and the verbal notification of the analysed karyotype is 4.65 days for the pipette method and 5.97 days for the "in situ" technique. The major advantages are that amniocentesis can be handled safely by many gynaecologist, and the amniotic fluid samples can be posted easily to cytogenetic units familiar with rapid karyotyping. The main disadvantage is that currently only a few laboratories are able to handle the pipette method or the "in situ" technique for rapid karyotyping. 2. Fetal blood sampling (cordocentesis); and subsequent chromosome analysis on cultivated fetal lymphocytes leading to results within 2 to 4 days. The main advantage of this procedure is the reliability of the results obtained. Fetal blood sampling, however, is restricted to specialists; this may involve scheduling delays. 3. Placental biopsy; with subsequent direct preparation and long term culturing. In comparison to both other techniques this procedure is faster if direct preparation is used. Results can be obtained even on the same day. The main disadvantage, however, is the problem with the reliability of the direct preparation results. They must be confirmed by time-consuming long-term culturing. Data are presented on the likelihood of abnormal ultrasound findings being caused by chromosomal aberrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amniocentesis↗

[Partial hydatidiform mole in a cytogenetically normal fetus].

The diagnosis of a partial hydatid mole presents a difficult situation for both physician and parents. On the one hand there may be a normal pregnancy whereas on the other hand the mother may be threatened by numerous complications caused by the hydatid mole if the pregnancy is continued. We report on a pregnancy in the 18th week during which a partial hydatid mole was discovered where we considered it justified to advise the parents, after a thorough consultation, to continue with the pregnancy. Ultrasound examination had excluded infaust malformations whereas cytogenetically there was no triploidy of the fetus. Moreover it was possible to closely monitor the course of pregnancy to discover any possible complications well in time. Under these conditions continuation of pregnancy until birth is possible in about 60% of the cases without enhanced risk to the mother, as is evident from the data in the literature. In the case under report, however, there was a life-threatening uterine haemorrhage with placenta previa in the 22nd week of pregnancy resulting in mandatory premature termination of pregnancy. Repeated treatment with cytostatics was subsequently required due to persistence of the mole, since even hysterectomy could not achieve complete remission of the disease.

Adult↗

Six years' experience with rapid karyotyping in prenatal diagnosis: correlations between phenotype detected by ultrasound and fetal karyotype.

From September 1985 to March 1992, 804 amniotic fluid samples from 64 different diagnostic centres of the Federal Republic of Germany were sent to our laboratory exclusively for rapid karyotyping. The average time needed for notification of the analysed karyotype was 4.65 days when the 'pipette method' was used for chromosome harvesting and 5.97 days when the 'in situ' technique was used. The overall incidence of chromosome aberrations was 15.3 per cent. Data are presented about the likelihood of abnormal ultrasound findings being caused by chromosome aberrations. These findings include polyhydramnios, oligohydramnios, growth retardation, fetal effusions, neural tube defects, craniofacial defects, heart defects, gastroschisis and omphalocele, gastrointestinal tract defects, urinogenital defects, and limb defects. In future, such data need to contain larger numbers of cases for each week of gestation. This will improve the risk evaluation for each case with abnormal ultrasound findings, which should lead to better management during pregnancy, delivery, and postnatal care for those who require rapid karyotyping.

Amniocentesis↗

[Ultrasound detection of suspected chromosome abnormalities in the 1st and 2nd trimester. Results of a prospective study].

4053 pregnancies were studied prospectively during 4 years (July 1988 to June 1992) with regard to the sonographical recognition of indications of chromosomal anomalies from 9 to 24 weeks, irrespective of the mother's age. The morphology of the fetal organs, the phenotype, the proportions of the fetal body, biometrical data and disorders of the placenta and the amniotic fluid were scrutinised. For the prediction of a chromosomal anomaly, a high sensitivity of 86.3% and specificity of 99.8% were found; the prevalence was 1.8%. The thickening of the nuchal fold or a nuchal oedema was the most significant fetal stigma and a guiding symptom in Turner's syndrome and in trisomy 21 and 18. When suspicious facts were found during ultrasonography, karyotyping was proposed after detailed counselling, especially to mothers below the age of 35. The extended sonographical examination is considered a non-invasive tool to differentiate the statistical age related risk of a chromosomal anomaly in each individual case.

Adolescent↗

[Drug induced prevention of the acid aspiration syndrome in non-elective cesarean section].

Pulmonary aspiration of gastric content with a subsequent aspiration syndrome is a major cause of maternal mortality. Since regurgitation in patients undergoing general anaesthesia cannot reliably be excluded, a prophylaxis with specific drugs is recommendable. In a prospective investigation on patients undergoing nonelective Caesarean section, the H2-receptor antagonist famotidine (fam), the antacid sodium citrate (cit) and the dopamine antagonist metoclopramide (met) were evaluated with respect to volume and acidity of gastric juice. When indicated, a group of 255 patients received 20 mg famotidine i.v., with a randomised subgroup of 126 of these patients also receiving 10 mg metoclopramide i.v. A second group of 171 patients received 20 ml 0.3 M sodium citrate p.o., with a randomised subgroup of 75 of these patients receiving 10 mg metoclopramide i.v. in addition. After induction of anaesthesia the gastric content was evacuated via a gastric tube. Mean volume and pH of the gastric juice as well as the percentage of patients at risk for the development of an aspiration syndrome (juice volume > 0.4 ml/kg and pH < 2.5) were determined. Already in the first hour after drug administration a lower percentage of patients at risk could be observed compared to data from patients without prophylaxis published in recent studies (fam 18.2%, fam + met 12.0%, cit 1.9%, cit + met 2.2%). Treatment with sodium citrate was most effective because of a rapid increase in pH (cit vs. fam: p < 0.05, cit vs. fam + met: p < 0.1, cit + met vs. fam: p < 0.05, cit + met vs. fam+met: p < 0.1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cesarean Section↗

Rapid karyotyping in prenatal diagnosis: a comparative study of the 'pipette method' and the 'in situ' technique for chromosome harvesting.

Rapid karyotyping in the second and third trimesters has important implications for the management of pregnancies at risk. From September 1985 to March 1992, 735 amniotic fluid samples sent to our laboratory for rapid karyotyping from 64 different diagnostic centres of the Federal Republic of Germany were included in a comparative study on harvesting for chromosome analysis using the 'pipette method' or the 'in situ' technique. The average time between preparation of the amniotic fluid and verbal notification of the analysed karyotype was 5.41 days. The 'pipette method' needed on average 4.65 days, and the 'in situ' technique 5.97 days. In comparison with other more invasive techniques available for rapid karyotyping such as cordocentesis and placental biopsy, amniocentesis and subsequent chromosome harvesting using the 'pipette method' and/or the 'in situ' technique proved very useful and efficient. The overall incidence of chromosome aberrations was 15.3 per cent. The high rate of structural chromosome aberrations and uncommon aneuploidies found in our investigation (12 per cent) indicates that for rapid karyotyping in the second and third trimesters, conventional cytogenetic techniques cannot be replaced by faster techniques based on fluorescent in situ hybridization on interphase cells in the near future.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Doppler flow measurements and histomorphology of the placental bed in uteroplacental insufficiency.

For the first time histomorphological findings of the uteroplacental vessels were correlated with Doppler flow parameters of this vascular area in a combined study. The study group consisted of 58 women with a pregnancy-induced hypertension or an otherwise presumed uteroplacental perfusion impairment delivered by cesarean section. The control group included 50 healthy pregnancies, delivered by cesarean section due to presentation anomalies or failure to proceed. After removal of the placenta a placental bed biopsy containing the uteroplacental vessels of the decidual and inner myometrial layer was taken. The occurrence of accepted histological signs of low uteroplacental perfusion was compared to Doppler flow velocity wave forms in uteroplacental arteries. The accuracy of doppler-sonographic findings of uteroplacental circulatory impairment confirmed by the histomorphological results was high, even in cases not complicated by hypertension. The good accordance of Doppler flow parameters with morphological findings offers new perspectives for differentiated insights in pregnancy courses with and without signs of uteroplacental insufficiency.

Arteries↗

[Prenatal diagnosis of cleft lip and palate by ultrasound. Limits of prenatal sonography].

During the past ten years diagnostic ultrasound has dramatically changed obstetric approaches. Improvements in instrumentation have made it possible to identify an increasing number of fetal anatomical structures. Ultrasonography of the fetal face has become important for the detection of major syndromal malformations or chromosomal disorders. In cases with a family history of cleft lip and palate ultrasound can confirm or exclude the diagnosis. Associated anomalies have to be ruled out when cleft lip is present. Positive findings have different obstetrical implications.

Cleft Lip↗

Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of multiple cardiac rhabdomyomas.

We report on a neonate with multiple cardiac rhabdomyomas, including a huge rhabdomyoma of the left ventricular posterior wall. Prenatal ultrasonography performed because of supraventricular tachycardia led to the diagnosis in the 28th week of gestation. Postnatal echocardiography confirmed the prenatal diagnosis. The tumor could not be removed surgically and the child died as a result of intractable arrhythmia at the age of 5 days. The diagnosis of multiple cardiac rhabdomyomas was confirmed by autopsy.

Female↗

[Life-threatening perinatal hemorrhage of a sacral teratoma].

Great sacral teratomas are rare congenital tumors. The frequency in liveborns is about 1:40,000. Well known complications of sacral teratomas are malignant degeneration, infection and, in case of intraabdominal expansion, compression of the urogenital tract. We report a case of unusual fulminant perinatal bleeding out of a great sacral teratoma ruptured during birth.

Cesarean Section↗

Tumor necrosis factor and pregnancy--a contribution to the immunology of reproduction.

Serum levels of the cytokine TNF (tumor necrosis factor) were determined in pregnant women during the first trimester and compared with levels in a control group of non-pregnant healthy women. A new immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) was used. In pregnant women we found a very low mean value of 2.5 pg/ml. The value was significantly higher 16.2 pg/ml in the non-pregnant group. This finding suggests suppression of macrophage activity which could favour the fetal allograft.

Adult↗

[Prenatal diagnosis and prognosis of oligo-anhydramnia].

From 1986 to 1987, a total of 56 cases with oligoanhydramnia as indicative symptom were examined and treated in the Prenatal Unit of the Gynaecological Department of the University of Erlangen. In cases of difficult fetal imaging, new antenatal diagnostic methods, like artificial instillation of amniotic fluid, transabdominal chorionic villus sampling and blood flow measurement by Doppler sonography were used. With the exception of three cases of primary placental disturbances, an accurate prenatal diagnosis was established in 95%. As expected, development disorders of the fetal urinary tract were in 45% of all cases most frequent. In 39% a malformation could be ruled out. Chromosomal aberrations appeared in 7%. Doppler sonography was helpful in differentiating the cases of fetal growth retardation caused by a disturbed placental circulation, from those cases emanating from congenital fetal anomalies. Compared to polyhydramnia, in which 70% of the cases are idiopathic, oligoanhydramnia as primary symptom is, in our opinion, of greater clinical significance. This is proved by a high rate of both malformations (60%) and mortality (68%). Considering the frequently delayed admission of such patients and, in most cases the poor outcome, increased attention to the symptom of oligoanhydramnia, during sonographic screening examinations, is necessary. Early admission to a prenatal diagnostic unit for clarification by differentiated methods permits the establishment of the presence or absence of a disease picture incompatible with a healthy life status.

Amniotic Band Syndrome↗