Yukihito Fukada

The prognosis of fetuses with transient nuchal translucency in the first and early second trimester

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognosis of fetuses with transient nuchal translucency before 15 weeks of gestation.

Rapid Detection of Chromosome Aneuploidies by Prenatal Interphase FISH (Fluorescence in situ Hybridization) and Its Clinical Utility in Japan

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy, informative rate, detection rate, and clinical utility of prenatal interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of amniotic fluid samples from Japanese women.

Dimeric Inhibin A as a Fourth Marker for Down's Syndrome Maternal Serum Screening in Native Japanese Women

Objective: This study was conducted to assess the usefulness of dimeric inhibin A as a fourth marker for Downs syndrome screening in addition to AFP, hCG and uE3 markers for native Japanese women.

Triple Marker Screening for Trisomy 21, Trisomy 18 and Open Neural Tube Defects in Singleton Pregnancies of Native Japanese Pregnant Women

Objective: To report the results of prenatal triple marker screening on a population of Japanese pregnant women.

Detection of aneuploidy with fetal nuchal translucency and maternal serum markers in Japanese women

Fetal nuchal translucency and maternal serum screening for aneuploidy are two prenatal tests widely used throughout the world. In Japan, there have been no reports of screening for aneuploidy by fetal nuchal translucency in comparison with maternal serum markers. Here, we attempt to elucidate the prognosis of fetuses with nuchal translucency relative to those with positive maternal serum markers in Japanese women. In cases involving nuchal translucency, the study design was approved by the ethics committee of the Yamanashi University Hospital. In those of maternal serum markers, all tests were done on a voluntary basis. Informed consent was obtained from all women prior to their enrolment in the study. Nuchal translucency was defined as an abnormally high reading, more than π 2.0 standard deviations from the gestational-specific mean. Fetuses with abnormal nuchal translucency were followed by ultrasonography at 1–2 week intervals. In those with maternal serum markers, blood samples were drawn between 15.0 and 21.9 weeks of gestation. All serum samples were sent to an American laboratory, Genzyme Genetics, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Serum alpha-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin and unconjugated estriol were analyzed. Multiples from the median for each marker and individual risks were calculated based

Pityriasis Lichenoides et Varioliformis Acuta in Pregnancy: A Case Report

If pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLAVA) exists in the vagina or cervical os of the uterus, it may cause premature labor and premature rupture of the membranes.

The relationship between carbohydrate intake and glucose tolerance in pregnant women.

Objective.  We verified whether a misdiagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus can result in pregnant women when glucose tolerance has deteriorated after a low‐carbohydrate meal, and tried to elucidate the mechanism behind the different outcome of the test.

Transient Decrease in the CD45RA Expression on T Lymphocytes in Neonates with Fetal Distress

To determine the expression of CD45 isoforms on T lymphocytes in neonates with fetal distress and to evaluate its diagnostic accuracy, peripheral blood samples were examined in 53 neonates who were classified into one of three groups: group I: ‘control’ group (n = 23), group II: ‘mild distress’ group (n = 15), and group III: ‘moderate distress’ group (n = 15). The expression of CD3 (mean ± SD 24.2 ± 10.1%), CD4 (23.0 ± 5.7%), and CD45RA (27.3 ± 9.6%) on total lymphocytes and the expression of CD45RA on CD4+ T lymphocytes (13.7 ± 4.7%) in group III were significantly lower than in the other two groups 0–3 days after birth. Sensitivity and specificity of the CD45RA expression on CD4+ T lymphocytes for discrimination of group III were calculated as 0.79 and 1.0, respectively, when the cutoff value was 22.7%. The low CD3, CD4, and CD45RA expression returned to normal levels 10 days and more after birth. There were no differences in the CD8 and CD45RO expression between the groups. We conclude that CD4+ T lymphocytes from neonates with fetal distress show a transient decrease in the CD45RA expression without an increase in the CD45RO expression, and, therefore, analysis of the CD45 isoform expression is useful for laboratory evaluation of fetal distress.

Heterozygous hemophilia developed during pregnancy.

In rare cases, patients with heterozygous hemophilia show bleeding tendency due to a low factor VIII activity of <20%. Here we describe a case of heterozygous hemophilia that developed during pregnancy. The patient was a 33‐year‐old Japanese woman whose father and brother both showed elevated nasal bleeding tendencies. However, they had received no medication for this condition. At 26 weeks’ gestation she experienced heavy nasal bleeding. The prothrombin time and platelet count were normal, but the activated partial thromboplastin time was prolonged. Premature rupture of the membrane occurred, and an emergency cesarean section was carried out at 28 weeks’ gestation. A diagnosis of heterozygous hemophilia was made after the cesarean section. Hemophilia crisis and heterozygous hemophilia require special obstetric care, with close liaison with a hematologist. Guidelines for the management of such cases should be available and observed.