Biomedical subjects

L Dugoff

Publications and source records attributed to L Dugoff.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

First- and second-trimester Down syndrome screening markers in pregnancies achieved through assisted reproductive technologies (ART): a FASTER trial study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether first- and second-trimester Down syndrome screening markers and screen-positive rates are altered in pregnancies conceived using assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). METHODS: ART pregnancies in the multicenter FASTER trial were identified. Marker levels were evaluated for five types of ART: in vitro fertilization with ovulation induction (IVF-OI), IVF with OI and egg donation (IVF-OI-ED), IVF with ED (IVF-ED), and intrauterine insemination with OI (IUI-OI) or without OI (IUI). Each group was compared to non-ART controls using Mann-Whitney U analysis. RESULTS: First-trimester marker levels were not significantly different between ART and control pregnancies, with the exception of reduced PAPP-A levels in the IUI-OI group. In contrast, second-trimester inhibin A levels were increased in all ART pregnancies, estriol was reduced and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was increased in IVF and IUI pregnancies without ED, and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was increased in ED pregnancies. Second-trimester screen-positive rates were significantly higher than expected for ART pregnancies, except when ED was used. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that ART significantly impacts second-, but not first-, trimester markers and screen-positive rates. The type of adjustment needed in second-trimester screening depends on the particular type of ART used.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

First trimester prenatal diagnosis of chondroectodermal dysplasia (Ellis-van Creveld syndrome) with ultrasound.

Chondroectodermal dysplasia (Ellis-van Creveld syndrome) is an autosomal recessive condition characterized by short-limb dwarfism, postaxial polydactyly, ectodermal defects, and congenital heart disease. This condition is most prevalent in the Amish population of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA, occurring in 1/5000 births and in 1/60,000 births in the general population. This report presents a case of ultrasonographic detection of chondroectodermal dysplasia at 12 weeks of gestation.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Skeletal anomalies.

It is possible to identify many types of skeletal dysplasias and conditions involving limb deformities prenatally using ultrasound. It is likely that in the future, with the advancing technology and discoveries in molecular genetics, specific mutation analysis will become available for many of these conditions. This will make first trimester diagnosis an option in many cases. Because of the complex nature of many of these cases, it may be helpful to use a multidisciplinary approach involving a radiologist and a geneticist at times. In utero radiographs may help clarify a diagnosis. In lethal cases where a specific diagnosis has not been confirmed, it may be helpful postpartum to obtain an autopsy; photographs; complete body radiographs; karyotypic analysis; and specimens of bone, cartilage, and fetal blood for further analysis.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

PubMed1999

The effect of spinal anesthesia on the success rate of external cephalic version: a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the effect of spinal anesthesia on the success rate of external cephalic version after 36 weeks' gestation. METHODS: Women with singleton breech presentations after 36 weeks' gestation were offered enrollment. Those who agreed were randomized to receive spinal anesthesia or no anesthesia. Up to four attempts were made using ultrasound surveillance. External cephalic version was terminated with patient discomfort or fetal heart decelerations. Statistical analysis based on intent-to-treat was performed using chi2, Student t tests, and multivariate analysis. Sample size projection based on 20% difference in success rate from a baseline of 50% indicated a need for 50 women in each group. RESULTS: One hundred two women were entered in the study from October 1993 to August 1997. There were no differences between groups in parity, maternal age, amniotic fluid index, gestational age, birth weight, placental location, type of breech presentation, maternal weight, or gestational age at delivery. Forty-four external cephalic versions were successful. Fifty (49%) women received spinal anesthesia, and 52 (51%) did not; there was no difference in the overall success rate between groups (44% spinal versus 42% no spinal). Spontaneous version occurred before external cephalic version was attempted in four patients in the spinal group (after the spinal was given) and one patient in the no-spinal group. These patients were included in the analysis. CONCLUSION: Spinal anesthesia does not increase the external cephalic version success rate in singleton pregnancies with breech presentations after 36 weeks' gestation.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Sonographic measurement of the fetal rib cage perimeter to thoracic circumference ratio: application to prenatal diagnosis of skeletal dysplasias.

The object of this study was to establish new normative data for the fetal rib cage perimeter to thoracic circumference ratio, and to evaluate the potential application of this measurement in the diagnosis of short rib and other skeletal dysplasias. Rib cage perimeter (RCP) and thoracic circumference (TC) were measured in a prospective, cross-sectional sample of 88 patients with normal pregnancies between 14 and 39 weeks of gestation. The RCP and TC were both measured in cross-section, at a level of the four-chamber view of the fetal heart. RCP and TC measurements were also obtained from eight cases known to have skeletal dysplasias. The mean (+/- SE) RCP:TC ratio in normal pregnancies, regardless of gestational age, was 0.670 +/- 0.004. In five of eight cases with skeletal dysplasias the RCP:TC ratio was significantly decreased, and in one case it was increased. The RCP:TC ratio in normal fetuses is independent of gestational age. In this small series the ratio was abnormal in fetuses with certain skeletal dysplasias, and particularly decreased in the fetus with a short rib-polydactyly syndrome. After further evaluation, this technique may prove to be of clinical significance in helping to diagnose skeletal dysplasias, particularly in cases where the gestational age is uncertain.

Bone Diseases, Developmental↗

PubMed1996

Neurofibromatosis type 1 and pregnancy.

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF-1) is an autosomal dominant condition which has markedly variable clinical expression, with manifestations ranging from mild cutaneous lesions to severe orthopedic complications and functional impairment. The current obstetrical literature indicates that women with NF-1 have increased complications associated with pregnancy. However, the majority of publications are case reports involving no more than 11 patients each, and are likely biased toward reporting on cases in which complications occurred. This study presents data on pregnancy outcome in 105 women with NF-1. The data were obtained from questionnaires completed by the study participants, and by review of their pregnancy and peripartum medical records. The 105 women had a total of 247 pregnancies, resulting in 182 live births, 44 first trimester spontaneous abortions, 21 elective terminations, and 2 ectopic pregnancies. There were two sets of twins. The cesarean section rate in our series (36%) was greater than the general population rate (9.1-23.5%). In 7 of these patients, the cesarean section was required because of maternal NF-1 complications. The study did not show the previously reported increased incidence of preeclampsia, preterm delivery, intrauterine growth restriction, pregnancy-induced hypertension, stillbirth, spontaneous abortion, or perinatal mortality. Sixty-four (60%) of the one hundred five women reported growth of new neurofibromas during pregnancy and fifty-five (52%) noted enlargement of existing neurofibromas. Nineteen women observed no changes in the size of their neurofibromas and no growth of new neurofibromas during pregnancy.

Cesarean Section↗

PubMed1995

Assessing the acceptability of Norplant contraceptive in four patient populations.

The object of this study was to review the experience of Norplant implants insertion at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center with specific attention to the potential impact of source of care and/or clinic site of of insertion. Norplant implants were inserted at four different office sites, namely, adolescent-teen, resident, certified nurse midwife, and faculty physician. The charts of all patients who had Norplant implants inserted between April 1991 and September 1992 were reviewed and we attempted to contact each patient by telephone to assess clinical course and acceptability of Norplant contraceptive. We were able to contact 254 of 414 women (61%) who had Norplant implants inserted. The average length of time since Norplant implants insertion was 13.2 months. The only significant demographic difference between groups was that the adolescent-teen patients were younger, of lower parity, less educated, and were more likely to be single than the other three groups. The overall removal proportion was 14.6%, and removal proportions were not significantly different between any of the four groups. The primary reason for removal was unacceptable bleeding (32% of removers). Only 59% of patients returned for follow-up care. Faculty physician patients were significantly more compliant with follow-up compared to adolescent-teen and resident patients (p < 0.01). Patient retention of Norplant contraceptive is unrelated to age or the clinic setting in which the device was inserted. Since similar side effects are experienced by retainers and removers, it is unclear what other factors prompt women to seek removal. Particularly in the teen and resident groups, follow-up is poor.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Megestrol acetate for treatment of endometriosis.

Between 1977-1989, 29 women with symptomatic endometriosis were treated with megestrol acetate by the Johns Hopkins Division of Reproductive Endocrinology. All had previously received one or more alternative medical treatments for endometriosis, in each case discontinued because of poor response or development of unacceptable side effects. Treatment consisted of a daily dose of 40 mg megestrol acetate orally for up to 24 months. Disease-related symptoms (dysmenorrhea, noncyclic pelvic pain, and dyspareunia) were relieved in 86% of the subjects treated with an adequate course of therapy. Side effects were fairly well tolerated, although eight women discontinued treatment within 2 months and two others stopped the drug by 4 months. These preliminary findings suggest that megestrol acetate may be an effective treatment for patients with endometriosis, even those who have been unresponsive to other modes of therapy.

Adult↗