Amniocentesis and amniotic fluid trehalase enzyme assay were offered to 14 pregnant women at a 1 in 4 risk for a child with cystic fibrosis. Twelve of these pregnancies were screened at the 18th week of gestation; ten proceeded to term, seven following the finding of a normal trehalase activity and three despite the low enzyme level in amniotic fluid. In all ten cases prenatal diagnosis proved to be correct. In two cases with low enzyme activity parents opted for termination at the 19th week, and with PAS-Alcian Blue staining some slight histochemical lesions characteristic of cystic fibrosis were seen in the exocrine glands, including the pancreas and intestinal mucosa, of both fetuses. The total protein content in the meconium of these fetuses was significantly higher than in the controls. Results suggest that trehalase assay in the amniotic fluid is a potential prenatal test for cystic fibrosis and it appears that in fetuses with cystic fibrosis some histochemical and biochemical abnormalities can be observed as early as the 19th week of gestation. The role of ultrasound examination as an additional procedure for the prenatal diagnosis of cystic fibrosis is also discussed.

Amniotic Fluid↗

PubMed1985

Sacrococcygeal teratoma and normal alphafetoprotein concentration in amniotic fluid.

It is usually assumed that in the case of sacrococcygeal teratoma the concentration of alphafetoprotein in the amniotic fluid is increased. In the case reported here the AFP concentration in the amniotic fluid was found to be normal in spite of a large teratoma not covered with skin. Possible reasons for this are discussed and the histological characteristics of the tumour are reported. It is emphasised that this teratoma could not have been recognised antenatally by normal AFP screening, but was only possible by ultrasound examination.

Amniotic Fluid↗

PubMed1985

The spread of somatosensory-evoked potentials within the nervous system.

Four thalamic and cortical recordings were carried out in 5 patients. The thalamic-evoked potentials were typical and revealed a triphasic complex, but their latencies showed a relatively high standard deviation. They could be divided into two groups according to their latencies, both of which had low SD. These data suggested that there could be two types of latency of thalamic SEP, because the 4 patients' body sizes were very similar. More detailed surface, cortical and depth recordings are needed to resolve these questions.

Afferent Pathways↗

PubMed1985

Prenatal diagnosis of ascites caused by cytomegalovirus hepatitis.

The case of a 23-weeks-old fetus is described in whom prenatal ultrasonography revealed ascites accompanied by an increased alpha-fetoprotein concentration in the amnial fluid. Detailed embryopathological work-up carried out after induced abortion demonstrated generalized cytomegalovirus disease and furnished histological proof of transplacental propagation.

Abortion, Induced↗

PubMed1985