PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R L Rosemond

Publications and source records attributed to R L Rosemond.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Placental pathophysiology of the twin oligohydramnios-polyhydramnios sequence and the twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

Currently accepted sonographic criteria for antenatal diagnosis of twin-twin transfusion (TTT) syndrome include a monochorionic placenta with same-sex twins, marked growth discordance, and oligohydramnios of the growth-retarded twin with coexistent polyhydramnios of the larger twin. Our previous report of nine women fulfilling these criteria, examined using sequential funipuncture of both fetuses, demonstrated inter-twin blood transfusion in only four cases (44 per cent). It was proposed that traditional sonographic criteria actually describe a heterogeneous group of disorders more appropriately described as the twin oligohydramnios-polydramnios sequence (TOPS). True TTT is a subset of this population, the antenatal diagnosis of which requires specific demonstration of transfusion from one fetus (donor) to the other (recipient). In this report, antenatal placental evaluation has been correlated using duplex pulsed-wave Doppler analysis of arterial blood flow velocity with postpartum gross and histopathologic evaluation of the placenta, with special attention to microvasculature. There was a higher incidence of resistance to blood flow, abnormal umbilical cord insertion, and diminished placental microvasculature associated with oligohydramnic growth-retarded (donor) twins when compared with polyhydramnic (recipient) twins. Based on these observations, it is proposed that TTT and TOPS represent asymmetric placental insufficiency resulting from aberrant placentation.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

Prenatal diagnosis of a fetal intracranial tumor.

Neonatal intracranial tumors are rare and usually indicate a poor prognosis. The first case report of the identification of a fetal intracranial tumor by transabdominal ultrasonography was in 1980. Transvaginal ultrasonography and MR imaging have recently been employed to improve the imaging of fetal intracranial structures and abnormalities. Neonatal brain biopsy is still necessary, however, to assign a definitive diagnosis, since images of two histologically different tumors can appear the same. Teratomas are the most frequent intracranial tumors found in the neonate, with meningeal sarcoma, craniopharyngioma, lipoma of the corpus callosum, and oligodendroglioma being found less commonly. We report a patient diagnosed prenatally as having an enlarging intracranial mass that proved to be a gangliocytoma.

Adult↗

Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome: a subset of the twin oligohydramnios-polyhydramnios sequence.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess the adequacy of currently accepted criteria for the diagnosis of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: Between April 1991 and February 1992 nine consecutive women with twin gestations and ultrasonographic findings of marked growth discordance, coexistent oligohydramnios-polyhydramnios, monochorionic placenta, and same sex of the fetus in the second trimester were evaluated. Mean gestational age at diagnosis was 19 weeks 5 days +/- 5 weeks, and mean growth discordance was 34% +/- 9%. Seven women underwent attempted sequential amniocentesis and cordocentesis at 23 weeks 6 days +/- 2 weeks 4 days to obtain amniotic fluid and cord blood from each fetus. Type O negative, leucocyte-poor, washed adult red blood cells were transfused into the small, oligohydramnic twin during cordocentesis; immediately afterward blood from the polyhydramnic twin was tested with the Kleihauer-Betke stain. RESULTS: The combined procedure was successful in six (86%) of the cases attempted. True twin-to-twin transfusion was confirmed in only four (44%) of those initially identified by ultrasonographic criteria. Hemoglobin difference > 5 g/dl was present in only one of the four cases, and in this case the recipient was anemic. CONCLUSIONS: Currently accepted criteria are insufficient for the diagnosis of true twin-to-twin transfusion. Ultrasonographic findings of marked growth discordance, coexistent oligohydramnios-polyhydramnios, monochorionic placenta, and same sex identify the twin oligohydramnios-polyhydramnios sequence.

Amniocentesis↗

Preterm premature rupture of membranes: detection of infection.

This prospective study was designed to determine the value of a daily modified biophysical profile in detecting infection in patients with preterm premature rupture of the membranes who were managed expectantly. Ninety-nine patients received daily nonstress tests and biophysical profile scores. Results of the last predelivery study were related to subsequent development of amnionitis or fetal sepsis. Infection was present in 16 patients. When the biophysical profile score was 0/8, infection was uniformly present. When fetal breathing was absent (biophysical profile score, less than or equal to 4/8) and nonstress test was nonreactive, infection was present in 75% of cases (sensitivity, 75%; specificity, 95%). Because a nonreactive nonstress test could be secondary to prematurity instead of infection, these results were analyzed over time. Those who initially had a reactive nonstress test that subsequently became nonreactive were more likely to be infected. We conclude that a daily biophysical profile score and nonstress test can detect infection and propose delivery of patients with a biophysical profile score of 0/8 and nonreactive nonstress test. Patients with absent fetal breathing and a nonstress test that changes from reactive to nonreactive also should be considered for delivery. Absent fetal breathing with a reactive nonstress test or a consistently nonreactive nonstress test should have further testing to rule out infection.

Bacterial Infections↗

The in utero left ventricle of the fetal sheep: the effects of isoprenaline.

1. Isoprenaline was infused into in utero fetal lambs to examine the effect of this beta-adrenoceptor agonist on left ventricular stroke volume and left ventricular output and test the generally held assumption that the fetal ventricle is markedly limited in its ability to increase ventricular output. 2. Seven in utero lambs (121-133 days of gestation) were instrumented with left ventricular dimension transducers, an ascending aortic electromagnetic flow transducer, a brachiocephalic arterial catheter and electrocardiographic and atrial pacing electrodes. 3. On the day of study, 5-8 days following surgery and 129-137 days of gestation, each lamb received infusions of isoprenaline, via the superior vena cava or left atrium, at rates which ranged from 0.005-0.5 microgram kg-1 min-1. 4. Heart rate and left ventricular stroke volume, output and end-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions were measured under control conditions and during various levels of isoprenaline infusion, with and without controlling heart rate. 5. Analysis of variance was done using the mean cell model. Least-square means and standard errors of the least-square means are reported. F ratios were calculated from type III sums-of-squares; P less than 0.05 was considered significant. 6. The mean heart rate increased with isoprenaline (P less than 0.0001) from a mean control level of 169 +/- 8 to 281 +/- 9 beats min-1 (+/- S.E.M.). 7. Mean left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic minor axis dimensions decreased significantly with isoprenaline from 16.7 +/- 0.1 mm (control) to 15.7 +/- 0.2 mm (P less than 0.0004) and from 11.7 +/- 0.1 mm (control) to 10.4 +/- 0.2 mm (P less than 0.0001) respectively. When heart rate was controlled with atrial pacing, mean end-diastolic dimension increased significantly at the higher isoprenaline doses from 14.6 +/- 0.1 mm (control) to 15.3 +/- 0.2 mm (control) (P = 0.0002), while mean end-systolic dimension fell significantly from 10.9 +/- 0.1 to 10.5 +/- 0.1 mm (P less than 0.003). Inasmuch as stroke volume increased, the increase in end-diastolic dimension and the fall in end-systolic dimension indicate an increase in venous return to the left ventricle. 8. During spontaneous rhythm, isoprenaline increased stroke volume from 2.45 +/- 0.06 ml (control) to 2.63 +/- 0.09 ml, not statistically significant. When heart rate was controlled, stroke volume increased with isoprenaline dose from 1.68 +/- 0.06 ml (control) to 2.40 +/- 0.08 ml (P less than 0.0001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Ferning of amniotic fluid contaminated with blood.

The diagnosis of rupture of the membranes by traditional methods of nitrazine paper determination and fern crystallization has been reported to be 93-98% accurate. Although the presence of contaminants in amniotic fluid has been reported to reduce this accuracy, the literature is conflicting concerning these effects. We examined the effect of blood contamination on the accuracy of diagnosing ruptured membranes. Amniotic fluid was obtained from 38 patients between 16-38 weeks' gestational age who underwent amniocentesis. Amniotic fluid was immediately mixed with freshly obtained, heparinized fetal cord blood in varying concentrations (blood to amniotic fluid 1:5, 1:10, 1:20). The slides were examined microscopically for the presence of ferning. All samples were fern-positive, but many had atypical ferns described as "skeletonized." As the concentration of blood to amniotic fluid increased, the number of atypical ferns increased (32 of 38 at 1:5, 22 of 38 at 1:10, and nine of 38 at 1:20). We conclude that the presence of blood may alter the morphology of the fern, but does not act as a contaminant that would affect the accuracy of the test.

Amniotic Fluid↗