Uterine artery Doppler flow velocity has limited diagnostic accuracy in predicting pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation and perinatal death.

Objective-To assess the delivery and acceptability of antenatal couple screening for cystic fibrosis. Carrier status was notified only when both members of a partnership had cystic fibrosis alleles and therefore a one in four risk ofhaving an affected child.Design-Mouthwash samples were tested when both partners participated. Results were returned only to positive couples.Setting-Two large maternity hospitals in Edinburgh.Subjects-Screening was offered to all couples who booked at one ofthe two hospitals.Main outcome measures-(a) The take up of screening, carriers and carrier couples identified, take up of prenatal diagnosis, and numbers of affected fetuses detected; (b) questionnaire measures ofpatient satisfaction and stress.Results-Screening was offered to 8536 couples.714 (8-4'V/o) were regarded as ineligible, usually because oflate booking or absence of a partner. 1900

A retrospective review of all women diagnosed with endometrial adenocarcinoma over a 5-year period was performed. One hundred and eleven women had not defaulted from follow-up and were thought to be disease-free following primary treatment. Seventeen (15.3%) of this group of women developed recurrent disease; four of these being detected in asymptomatic patients at routine follow-up visits. Women with asymptomatic recurrences had a significantly better survival than those presenting with symptoms (25% vs. 8%, P = 0.048). On the basis of previous findings, a limited hospital surveillance protocol was applied retrospectively to these patients with an estimated financial saving of over 2500 per annum. However, as one asymptomatic recurrence was detected by vault cytology during the 2 years after primary treatment, it may be worthwhile continuing to perform vault cytology during this period.

No abstract