Complications of cordocentesis in high-risk pregnancies: Effects on fetal loss or preterm delivery

Between 1990 and 1993, 166 cases underwent cordocentesis and were followed for at least the following 4 weeks in the Prenatal Diagnosis and Therapy Centre of Vienna University. The indications for the procedure were structural malformations in 46·4 per cent of the cases, other high-risk diagnoses in 48·8 per cent, and maternal age over 35 years in only 4·8 per cent. We investigated retrospectively all cases of complications resulting in fetal loss or preterm labour. Abortion, intrauterine fetal death, chorioamnionitis, and preterm delivery occurred in 0·6, 5·4, 0·6 and 9·0 per cent of these cases, respectively, adding up to a total of 26 cases (15·7 per cent). Although this rate looks relatively high, 20 of the 26 cases had already displayed signs implying a complicated prognosis. Neither maternal age, gestational age, number of attempts, nor placental location correlated with fetal loss or preterm delivery. Significantly higher rates of fetal loss or preterm delivery were observed when cordocentesis was performed in cases diagnosed as duodenal/intestinal stenosis or hydrops–ascites–hydrothroax/hygroma colli (P=0·0488 and P=0·0005). The frequency of complications did not decrease as the experience of the operators increased.     

Bioavailability and toxicological potential of lentil-bound residues of malathion in rats.

Lentil grains treated with malathion and stored under laboratory conditions for 12 months formed bound residues. Bioavailability and the effects of lentil-bound residues of malathion in rats were studied. The amount of bound residues in lentils treated with 14C-malathion at 10 ppm and 50 ppm gradually increased to 9.52% and 13.01% of the initially applied doses after 12 months. When rats were fed these 14C-bound residues, radioactivity excreted in urine accounted for 34.49% of the administered dose. In feces, 26.15% of given dose was methanol-extractable while 18.67% was determined as nonextractable. Various tissues including liver, kidney, fat and lungs contained 8.93% while radioactivity in expired air (14CO2) was low (1.51%). The results indicate that lentil-bound malathion residues are highly bioavailable to rats. Analysis of the lentil material containing bound residues indicated that the main compound was malathion. Lentil-bound malathion residues were administered to albino rats at 0.95 and 6.51 ppm in the feed for 3 months. Body weights were determined during and at the end of the experiment. Terminal organ weights were also determined and a number of blood chemistry parameters were examined. A significant reduction in serum cholinesterase activity and an increase in blood urea nitrogen and in white cell count suggest a toxocological potential of the bound residues.