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The efficacy of cervical ripening with two Foley catheter volumes, 30mL and 80mL, is compared in a study. Results show that ripening of the unfavorable cervix in primiparous women with a Foley catheter balloon inflated with 80mL of sterile saline resulted in more dilation, faster labor, and a decreased need for oxytocin than with a balloon inflated with a 30mL of the solution.

Byline: Zion J. Hagay, Galya Biran, Asher Ornoy, E.Albert Reece Keywords: Congenital cytomegalovirus infection; prenatal diagnosis; serologic tests; mass screening Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to review the accuracy of current tests used for the diagnosis of in utero cytomegalovirus infection and to discuss the potential value of preconceptional and postconceptional screening programs for prevention of congenital infection. STUDY DESIGN: A computer-assisted search was performed for relevant English language publications between 1987 and 1994. We identified 119 cases of suspected intrauterine cytomegalovirus infection in which either amniotic fluid or fetal blood had been analyzed antenatally. RESULTS: Congenital cytomegalovirus infection affects 0.5% to 2.5% of all newborns. The rate of transmission to the fetus after primary infection during pregnancy ranges from 15% to 50%. Of the fetuses infected in utero, 10% exhibit congenital cytomegalovirus syndrome. Evaluation of 119 cases of suspected infection has shown that polymerase chain reaction and cultures of amniotic fluid are the most reliable tests for prenatally determining the presence of viral particles. However, efficacy of routine antenatal screening in reducing the rate of fetal disease is limited. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that at present the accuracy of tests used for the diagnosis of in utero cytomegalovirus infection is undetermined. Serologic screening of all pregnant women is of limited value and at present is not recommended. (AM J OBSTET GYNECOL 1996;174:241-5.) Author Affiliation: Rehovot and Jerusalem, Israel, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Article History: Received 15 December 1994; Revised 24 March 1995; Accepted 4 May 1995 Article Note: (footnote) [star] From the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaplan Hospital,a the Jerusalem Institute of Child Development and Laboratory of Teratology, The Hebrew University, Haddasah Medical School, b and Temple University School of Medicine. , [star][star] Reprint requests: Zion J. Hagay, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, Israel., a 0002-9378/96 $5.00 + 0 6/1/66061

Higher than normal levels of the copper zinc superoxide dismutase gene in fetuses may protect them from developing abnormally as a result of diabetes in their mothers. Copper zinc superoxide dismutase is an enzyme that may rid the body of oxygen free radicals, which are overproduced in connection with diabetes mellitus and may cause fetuses to form abnormally. Researchers induced diabetes in mice that were pregnant with embryos either with the human copper zinc superoxide dismutase gene or without it. Mouse embryos with the copper zinc superoxide dismutase gene did not experience growth reductions, had a low rate of malformation and a low rate of fetal death, whereas embryos without the gene were more likely to be small, malformed, or to die before the end of pregnancy.