Akademischer Bericht 2005 - Geburtshilfe - UniversitätsSpital Zürich

an increased risk of developing preeclampsia. It is the aim of our study to evaluate the possibility of the
detection of women at increased risk for the disease with the examination of a wide spectrum of autoantibodies.
We plan to screen for the following auto-antibodies in 1000 women attending our obstetric
policlinics and to compare the results with the pregnancy outcome:
ů Anti-Annexin V ů Anti-Prothrombin ů Anti-Phospholipid-Screen ů Anti-Cardiolipin-Screen ů Anti-dsDNA
(nur bei SLE-Patienten ů ANAscreen
01.11.2003-31.03.2005
Professur/Forschungsbereich: Zisch, Andreas
Intrauterine fetal weight standards – a appropriate method for diagnosis of an IUGR in preterm deliveries
Establishing of reference ranges for the estimated intruterine fetal weight. The calculated reference
ranges of estimated intrauterine fetal weight will be compared with reference curves for body weight of
newborn infants.
01.06.2004-30.06.2005
Professur/Forschungsbereich: Zisch, Andreas
Kreditnummer 34130206 / Efficiency of intravenous venofer
01.06.2003-30.09.2005
Professur/Forschungsbereich: Zisch, Andreas
Long-term follow-up of functional aspects of different forms of skin closure in cesarean section
In this prospective-randomised trial we evaluate four different types of closure of the skin and the subcutaneous
space during cesarean section. From other studies it is well known that the short-time morbidity
is similar if the subcutaneous space is closed with stitches or not, or if the skin is closed with metal-clips
or by intracutaneous suture. In this study we evaluate the long-term results after an period of 4-6 months
after the operation. Special emphasis is put on functional aspects and on the degree of satisfaction with
the cosmetic result by the mother. The evaluation is done via clinical examination and a questionnaire.
01.01.2004-31.01.2005
Professur/Forschungsbereich: Zisch, Andreas
Mechanisms of Fetal Programming: Mechanical properties of umbilical vessels
Intrauterine growth retardation was shown to be associated with hypertension in later life. However,
the pathophysiologic link between growth retardation and hypertension is unknown. In growth retarded
fetuses with placental insufficiency chronic placental hypoxia is assumed. Hypoxia decreases the elastin
content in the vessel wall. We hypothesize that hypoxia and the resulting increased sympathetic tone
in growth retarded fetuses ultimately induce increased vessel wall stiffness in fetuses via a decreased
arterial wall elastin synthesis. It is the aim of our study to evaluate the elasticity of umbilical vessels,
which are of fetal origin and therefore are thought to represent the overall elasticity of fetal vessels. If
an increased stiffness of umbilical arteries in growth retarded fetuses is found, we intend to evaluate the
molecular mechanisms of this process.
01.10.2003-31.01.2006
Professur/Forschungsbereich: Zisch, Andreas
Mechanisms of Fetal Programming: The vagus/sympathicus system
The study is based on evidence from the literature that fetal undernourishment due to placental insufficiency
is associated with an increased risk for the subsequent development of hypertension, coronary
heart disease, atherosclerosis and metabolic changes later in life. The mechanisms in utero to induce
these alterations are unknown. It was hypothesized that an inadequate programming of regulatory
circles in utero is the link between intrauterine undernutrition and pathology in later life. The autonomic
nervous system, like other parts of the mammalian nervous system is susceptible to environmental influences
during development. Placental insufficiency is the main reason for fetal retardation. It is thought
that lowering fetal growth is the adequate mechanism for the fetus to maintain the supplementation of
vital organs such as the fetal brain, fetal heart and fetal adrenals in a hostile environment. Additionally
the heart rate increases and the heart rate variability decreases in fetuses with severe placental insufficiency
due to an imbalance in the sympathicus/vagus system favoring the sympathicus. It is unclear
Klinik für Geburtshilfe
Akademischer Bericht 2005
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