The new risk calculation procedure of the FMF Germany (PRC) has been made available as a CE-certified computer program. In screening for trisomy 21 it yields results comparable to those of the program used by the FMF UK. Regarding the diagnosis of trisomy 13 and 18, even higher detection rates are currently achieved with the German algorithm. Program, data base and license key are available free of charge to registered members of the FMF Germany.

A 33-year-old primigravida at 26 weeks gestation presented with fetal hydrops and fetal anemia following prior parvovirus B19 infection. The fetus required two intrauterine transfusions of packed red cells. At 35 weeks gestation, a cesarean section was performed for obstetric reasons. As a consequence of a prenatal bowel perforation, the neonate developed meconium peritonitis, for which she needed laparotomy. This case demonstrates that there may be an association between intrauterine parvovirus infection and meconium peritonitis, the latter possibly caused by vascular injury in fetal life.

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Especially, if a primary genital HSV-2-infection of a pregnant woman is suspected, which can be proven by serological means only several weeks after infection, systemic therapy of the mother with aciclovir should be considered since materno-fetal transmission may occur due to the risk of maternal viraemia.

At the 28th week of gestation a hydrops fetalis was first detected by ultrasound. At birth a generalized hydrops with Hurler-like craniofacial dysmorphism, hepatosplenomegaly and a moderate dystostosis multiplex was noted. High urinary excretion of oligosaccharides and a severe deficiency of neuraminidase and of β-galactosidase in cultured skin fibroblasts could be found. Thus, a rare early infantile type of galactosialidosis was diagnosed. The patient died at the age of 3 months because of cardiac failure. The consanguineous but otherwise healthy parents received genetic counselling for further pregnancies and have been informed about the possibility of prenatal diagnosis. In view of this possibility, the parents decided to have more children. In the second pregnancy a severe combined enzyme deficiency had been detected and the pregnancy interrupted. In the third pregnancy prenatal diagnosis revealed normal fetal enzyme activities. It resulted in a healthy female child and in the fourth pregnancy reduced but still in the heterozygote level enzyme activities had been found, a healthy boy was born.