Geburtsh Frauenheilk
-
Geburtsh Frauenheilk · Jan 2021
Cell-free DNA Testing in Routine Practice: Characterisation of a Cohort with Positive Results for Trisomies, Sex Chromosome Anomalies and Microdeletions.
Introduction Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing is increasingly used as a screening method not only for trisomy (T) 21 but also for T18 and T13, sex chromosome anomalies (SCA) and microdeletions. Based on cases with a positive cfDNA result in our specialised prenatal practice, this study aims to characterise the usage of cfDNA testing and to estimate the positive predictive value (PPV) in routine practice in Germany. Patients and Methods In this retrospective study we analysed the data of all pregnant women with a positive cfDNA result seen between 09/2013 and 12/2019. ⋯ Conclusions Despite the excellent specificity of cfDNA tests, the PPV for aneuploidies other than T21 is low in routine practice. In discordance with the current guidelines, cfDNA test is often used without a previous detailed anomaly scan. Our data provide valuable information to assist patient counselling and shared decision making.
-
Geburtsh Frauenheilk · May 2020
SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19: Evidence-Based Recommendations on Diagnosis and Therapy.
COVID-19, a new viral disease affecting primarily the respiratory system and the lung, has caused a pandemic posing serious challenges to healthcare systems around the world. In about 20% of patients, severe symptoms occur after a mean incubation period of 5 - 6 days; 5% of patients need intensive care therapy. Mortality is about 1 - 2%. ⋯ In case of fulminant lung failure, veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation may be used as a rescue in experienced centres. New, experimental therapies are evolving with ever increasing frequency; currently, however, no evidence-based recommendation is possible. If off-label and compassionate use of these drugs is considered, an individual benefit-risk assessment is necessary, since serious side effects have been reported.
-
Geburtsh Frauenheilk · Apr 2020
SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Pregnancy - a Review of the Current Literature and Possible Impact on Maternal and Neonatal Outcome.
In December 2019, cases of pneumonia of unknown cause first started to appear in Wuhan in China; subsequently, a new coronavirus was soon identified as the cause of the illness, now known as Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Since then, infections have been confirmed worldwide in numerous countries, with the number of cases steadily rising. The aim of the present review is to provide an overview of the new severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and, in particular, to deduce from it potential risks and complications for pregnant patients. ⋯ Based on the literature available at the moment, it can be assumed that the clinical course of COVID-19 disease may be complicated by pregnancy which could be associated with a higher mortality rate. It may also be assumed at the moment that transmission from mother to child in utero is unlikely. Breastfeeding is possible once infection has been excluded or the disease declared cured.
-
Geburtsh Frauenheilk · Oct 2019
Update Breast Cancer 2019 Part 5 - Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges of New, Personalised Therapies in Patients with Advanced Breast Cancer.
Significant advancements have been made in recent years in advanced breast cancer and nearly all of them have been in the field of targeted therapy. Pertuzumab and trastuzumab-emtansine (T-DM1) have been able to be introduced in HER2-positive breast cancer. Now other anti-HER2 therapies are being developed (e.g. margetuximab, DS-8201a, pyrotinib) which can overcome other resistance mechanisms in the HER2 signalling pathway. ⋯ There are also significant advancements in triple-negative breast cancer: By combining chemotherapy and immunotherapy, an advantage for overall survival was able to be demonstrated in a subgroup (immune cells PD-L1-positive). The PARP inhibitor therapy for HER2-negative patients with a germ line mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 was also associated with an improved overall survival in a subgroup. These promising new study results are summarised in this review.
-
Geburtsh Frauenheilk · Apr 2019
Influence of Different Methods of Intrapartum Analgesia on the Progress of Labour and on Perinatal Outcome.
Background Various methods of intrapartum analgesia are available these days. Pethidine, meptazinol and epidural analgesia are among the most commonly used techniques. A relatively new one is patient-controlled intravenous analgesia with remifentanil, although the experiences published so far in Germany are limited. ⋯ The Apgar, umbilical arterial pH and base excess values were similar between the groups, as were the rates of acidosis and neonatal intensive care unit admission. Conclusion Parturients with patient-controlled intravenous analgesia with remifentanil and epidural analgesia showed a prolonged expulsive stage compared with the opioid group and controls. The short-term neonatal outcome was not influenced by the three methods examined.