Predictive value of early embryonic cardiac activity for pregnancy outcome

Article Abstract:

Detection of a heartbeat in a fetus is an early indication of a viable pregnancy. Recent advances have improved the ability to detect and measure fetal heartbeats at even sooner. It has been reported that fetal heart rates normally are around 100 beats per minute at five weeks which gradually increases with time. On the other hand, abnormally slow rates have been associated with fetal death. Fetal heart rates were monitored between the fifth and 12th week of pregnancy in 170 pregnancies to establish normal development and to see if abnormally slow heart rates correlated with adverse outcomes of pregnancy. Results showed that 29 of the pregnancies ended in a miscarriage before the 12th week. Heartbeats were detected as early as five weeks three days of pregnancy and were always detected by the first day of the seventh week in normal pregnancies. In all instances where a heartbeat was not detected by six weeks one day, the pregnancy ended in miscarriage. In the normal pregnancies fetal heart rate increased from an average of 82 beats per minute during the fifth week to 156 beats per minute the ninth week. In cases where miscarriage occurred, but a heart rate was detected at some point, the rates never exceeded 100 beats per minute and a gradual decline in heart rate was detected in 10 cases. In fact, a gradual decline in heart rate was always indicative of miscarriage. A single measurement of abnormally low fetal heart rate was not a good predictor of outcome. These results suggest that fetal heart rates in normal pregnancies increase significantly between the fifth and ninth week of pregnancy and are always detectable by the beginning of the seventh week. A single observation of an abnormally slow heart rate does indicate a higher likelihood of adverse outcome, but is not a useful indicator for screening purposes. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Abnormalities, Fetal heart rate monitoring, Electronic fetal monitoring, Pregnancy, Complications of, Pregnancy complications, Fetal heart rate

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Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in a female with the Johnson-McMillin syndrome

Article Abstract:

The first report of the occurrence of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism associated with the Johnson-McMilllin syndrome (JMS) in a female patient is presented. A correct diagnosis of the condition is the foundation for proper genetic counseling and reproductive management in patients.

United States, Science & research, Research, Case studies, Chromosome abnormalities, Hypogonadism

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Perinatal outcome of pregnancies after assisted reproduction: a case-control study

Article Abstract:

In vitro fertilization (IVF) results in a higher risk of premature birth and infant mortality even in single-fetus pregnancies and even after adjusting for other factors. This was the conclusion of a study that compared IVF pregnancies with spontaneously conceived pregnancies.

Health aspects, Risk factors, Premature birth, Fertilization in vitro, Human, Human fertilization in vitro

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