Int J Gynaecol Obstet

Neonatal gastric aspirates as a predictor of perinatal hepatitis B virus infections.

Year 1998
Chen WH. Yin CS. Chang YK. Yan JS. Chu ML.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
OBJECTIVE: To elucidate possible routes and predictors of perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV). METHOD: This was a prospective follow-up study. One hundred and forty-seven out of 1762 pregnant women who were screened in the antenatal clinic of a university teaching hospital were HBsAg carriers. Enzyme immunoassay was used for determination of hepatitis B markers. Occurrence of HBsAg in newborns' gastric aspirates, newborns' and infants' blood, and maternal milk samples were determined. Their relationship with delivery routes and duration of the first stage of labor were analyzed by chi square test. RESULTS: The presence of HBsAg in newborns' gastric aspirates was strongly associated with the acquisition of HBsAg by the babies. There was no correlation between the rate of infant antigenemia and the duration of the first stage of labor, nor did cesarean section decrease the rate of vertical transmission of HBV. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report to provide direct evidence for the major role of the oral route in vertical transmission of HBV during delivery. In addition to maternal serum HBeAg, HBsAg status in newborn's gastric aspirates is another important determinant for vertical transmission of HBV.

Conservative management of post-operative peritoneal cysts associated with endometriosis.

Year 1998
Takeuchi K. Kitazawa S. Kitagaki S. Maruo T.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Kobe University, Japan. kyousuke@kobe-u.ac.jp
OBJECTIVE: To describe the usefulness of fine-needle aspiration cytology and drainage, followed by long-acting GnRH-agonist therapy in the management of post-operative peritoneal cysts with endometriosis. METHODS: In six women who were diagnosed as having post-operative peritoneal cysts with endometriosis, fine-needle aspiration cytology and drainage was performed. Thereafter, four patients were treated with long-acting GnRH-agonists for 6 months. Two patients refused the treatment. RESULTS: In all patients fine-needle aspiration yielded specimens which consisted of a population of mesothelial cells. The mean follow-up time was 4 years (range 3.5-5). The four patients treated with long-acting GnRH-agonists show no evidence of recurrence. In two patients who had no additional treatment, the recurrence of the cyst was noted 2 months and 5 months after the drainage. CONCLUSION: Combination of fine-needle aspiration cytology and drainage and subsequent long-acting GnRH-agonist therapy can be a useful conservative management of post-operative peritoneal cysts associated with endometriosis.