The authors present a case of thrombosis of the umbilical vein in a foetus in the 27th week of pregnancy, discovered via ultrasound diagnosis. The foetus presented with marked ascites and anasarca. Despite foetal death there were no visceral malformations, and no pathological criteria presented by the mother. The characteristic features and sensitivity of sonographic diagnosis in umbilical vein thromboses are discussed as part of the extensive pathology of the umbilical cord.

We report our experience with the prenatal diagnosis of a case of the Meckel syndrome,The pregnancy was the 3rd of healthy non-consanguineous parents. The first child which was hampered by oligohydramnios.(d) had the Meckel syndrome. Although this infant had no open neural tube defect, prenatal amniotic fluid alpha fetoprotein (AFP) estimation was offered for future pregnancies. During the 2nd pregnancy amniocentesis was performed without difficulties 16 weeks after the last menstrual period. The AFP value was normal, and a healthy son was born at term. relatively small and corresponded to a gestational age of 15 weeks. Amniocentesis at that time resulted in several dry taps; three weeks later two punctures were unsuccessful. Ultrasound investigation at both times revealed an apparently normal fetus and placenta but proved to be difficult because of the small amount of amniotic fluid. Only at 20.5 weeks did the puncture produce 25 ml of sanguineous amniotic fluid in which HbF was demonstrated (< 5 ymoleslliter). This quantity of fetal blood contamination could not be held responsible for the elevated AFP value: 150 yg/ml (= 32 X SD). In a 20-hour amniotic fluid cell culture, rapidly adhering cells were seen. Chromosome analysis was normal: 46,XX (Q-banding). Because of the pathological AFP value, the parents asked for an interruption of the pregnancy. This was performed at 2 1.5 weeks; the size of the uterus was then estimated to be equivalent to a gestation of 17-1 8 weeks. Intra-amniotic instillation of hypertonic NaCl proved to be impossible because of oligohydramnios; hence the pregnancy was terminated by intra-muscular administration of 15 mg prostaglandin F, The stillborn female fetus During the 3rd pregnancy uterine size 16.5 weeks after the last menstrual period was

Based on three cases of foetal abnormalities (hydrocephalus, prune-belly syndrome, and unilateral multicystic renal disease) diagnosed and treated by intrauterine sonographic control, the article describes the technique, evolution and outcome of these cases. Two patients (the hydrocephalus and the prune-belly syndrome) died after delivery, whereas the third one lives in normal conditions. The different diagnoses and prognoses of this new surgical procedure are discussed. We think that hydrocephaly and renal obstruction have a very bad prognosis when diagnosis and therapy are not performed an initiated at an early stage. Unilateral disease of Potter-Syndrome is associated with a very good prognosis irrespective of whether therapeutic intervention is effected or not. For this reason, the intervention should be considered according to the compressive action that the cystic renal disease can exercise on the other kidney or lung.

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