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Biomedical subjects

L Michelacci

Publications and source records attributed to L Michelacci.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Psychological reactions to amniocentesis: a controlled study.

Fifty women who underwent amniocentesis and a matched control group of pregnant women were administered the Symptom Questionnaire to evaluate changes in distress. Anxiety, depression, and somatic symptoms had significantly decreased after the results of amniocentesis were communicated to the patient, but the decrease was similar in the normal control women. Hostility was higher in the amniocentesis group and decreased to normal levels after amniocentesis was performed, even before the results were communicated to the patient.

Amniocentesis↗

Estimation of gestational age during the first trimester by real-time measurement of fetal crown-rump length and biparietal diameter.

A series of 237 patients in the first trimester of pregnancy were examined to derive normal growth curves for fetal crown-rump length (CRL) and biparietal diameter (BPD) using sector scanner real-time ultrasound equipment. Conventional B-scan CRL measurements were obtained from 50 of these patients: In 41 (82%), the values fell within a range +/- 5 mm of those of real-time. Another group of 97 patients between 7 and 13 wk of gestation was then examined in a blind trial to confirm the accuracy of real-time measurements in estimating gestational age. An estimate was made in 95% of cases to within 4.6 days with CRL and to within 5 days with BPD. A similar comparison was made with both of these dimensions using a comparative nomogram, giving a prediction within 3.9 days in 95% of cases. This method is now used routinely.

Anthropometry↗

Genetic amniocentesis in twin pregnancy.

Among 1041 pregnancies 13 twin gestations were detected by routine ultrasonography prior to genetic amniocentesis at the Department of Prenatal Physiopathology of the University of Bologna. Clear amniotic fluid from both sacs was obtained in 12 of 13 sets of twins. All 12 sets were cytogenetically normal with normal levels of alpha-fetoprotein. Only one patient spontaneously aborted liveborn immature twins 30 days after the procedure. The technique used to obtain samples of fluid is described in detail and the need for additional counselling prior to amniocentesis in twins is stressed.

Amniocentesis↗

Psychological reactions to fetoscopy: a controlled study.

Twenty woman at risk of carrying a fetus with homozygous beta-thalassemia who underwent fetoscopy and a matched control group of pregnant women were administered the Symptom Questionnaire to evaluate changes in distress. Women who were offered fetoscopy had significantly more anxiety, depression, somatic symptoms and hostility than the control group. Psychological distress significantly decreased after the results of fetoscopy were communicated to the patient, and the decrease was similar in normal control women. Five other patients had a diagnosis of homozygous beta-thalassaemia and their pregnancies were terminated. Their psychological distress increased when they learned the outcome of fetoscopy, but decreased again after termination. Psychological reactions to fetoscopy and amniocentesis appear to be similar, yet women who undergo fetoscopy suffer from more psychological distress.

Anxiety↗