By means of the new AFS-3D method the same count of diseased fetuses was detected compared with prior screening tests. Simultaneously, expectant mothers were spared from unnecessary invasive diagnostics in 65 % of the cases. The choice of an altered cut-off or other volume shapes are feasible and should be examined in further studies.

Benzoate infusion of the mother shortly before birth is safe and results in therapeutic levels of benzoate in umbilical cord blood.

The coincidence of Marfan syndrome and pregnancy means a high risk for mother and child, as it is associated with cardiovascular and obstetric complications. We report our experience of four pregnancies with the Marfan syndrome. The course of pregnancy, the peripartum management and both the maternal and neonatal outcomes of four pregnant women with the Marfan syndrome, who were treated in our department between 1995 and 2005, were retrospectively analysed. The pregnancies of two women were complicated by premature rupture of membranes (36 (th) gestational week) and premature uterine contractions with cervical incompetence (30 (th) gestational week), respectively. One patient developed class 3 (NYHA) heart failure in the 3 (rd) trimenon. Two out of four women had mild cardiovascular disease and could deliver vaginally. In the other two cases a primary Caesarean section was performed at the 36 (th) week of gestation because of severe cardiovascular morbidity. No patient had a progressive aortic dilatation, dissection or rupture. The neonatal outcome was uneventful in all cases. Three newborns underwent a genetic evaluation for the Marfan syndrome, in two of them mutations in the fibrillin 1 gene were detected. Women with the Marfan syndrome should be counselled pre-conception and observed by an interdisciplinary team during pregnancy. If the aortic root diameter is < 40 mm, without progression in pregnancy, and in the absence of severe valve insufficiency, then pregnancy is in most cases well tolerated and vaginal delivery can be performed.

In the period from November 1995 to April 1996 we have collected 120 samples of 24-h-urine from volunteers of the "Brandenburger Ernährungs- und Krebsstudie". 108 persons--without iodine supplementation--showed an average iodine excretion about 99 micrograms I/g creatinine, and the median value showed 94.2. Only 45.4% of the samples indicated a sufficient iodine supply. In 43.5% an iodine deficiency grade I was registered, and in 11.1% grade II. An iodine deficiency grade III did not occur. Due to the increased use of iodized salt in meat- and cereal products, to intensive public education etc. it seems, that the individual iodine intake is better than some years ago. But the iodine deficiency prophylaxis should be further more continued.

No abstract