bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
NORMAL VALUES FOR FETAL SCALP TISSUE pH DURING LABOUR
Authors: Weber T. , Hahn‐Pedersen Suzanne 
Published: August 2005

SummaryNormal values for fetal scalp tissue pH during labour were determined by using a glass electrode (Kontron‐Roche®). A total of 132 recordings was obtained and 84 (64 per cent) were of good quality. After a good quality recording had been obtained, there were 64 infants with an Apgar score of 9 or 10 at one and five minutes after delivery. The 64 recordings showed pH values (Mean ± 2SEM) of 7.38±0.12 six hours before delivery and 7.28±0.12 at the time of delivery. Between the 5th and 55th minutes of the second stage of labour the pH (Mean ± 2SEM) fell from 7.30±0.14 to 7.20±0.13.
RELEASE OF PROSTAGLANDINS AFTER AMNIOTOMY IS NOT MEDIATED OXYTOCIN
Authors: Sellers S. M. , Hodgson H. T. , Mitchell M. D. , Anderson A. B. M. , Turnbull A. C. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe rise in peripheral plasma levels of 13,14‐dihydro‐15‐keto‐prostaglandin F (PGFM) following amniotomy has now been shown to be maximal within five minutes of the procedure, and levels remain elevated for at least 30 minutes. There was no change in plasma oxytocin levels with amniotomy and therefore a local mechanism for prostaglandin release has been postulated.
PANCREATITIS, PREGNANCY AND GALLSTONES
Authors: McKay A. J. , O'Neill J. , Imrie C. W. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryIn an 18 year hospital experience of over 500 patients with primary acute pancreatitis, 20 developed the disease either while pregnant (7 patients) or within five months of pregnancy (13 patients). Eighteen of the 20 patients had gallstones and adequate biliary surgery abolished further attacks of pancreatitis. Only two patients had surgery during the acute phase of their illness. The single fetal death was associated with early surgical intervention and there were no maternal deaths. We found no evidence of a specific link between pregnancy and pancreatitis but there is a marked association between pancreatitis and gallstones.
NATIONAL TRENDS IN THE CERTIFIED CAUSES OF PERINATAL MORTALITY, 1968 to 1978
Authors: Edouard L. , Alberman Eva 
Published: August 2005

SummaryCertified causes of perinatal mortality have been regrouped into 14 categories of clinical significance. Using data from official publications, trends over the years 1968 to 1978 in England and Wales have been described. Sharp falls from certain years are observed for some categories whereas others show a sustained fall.
MATERNAL SERUM ALPHA‐FETOPROTEIN AND BIRTH WEIGHT
Authors: Wald N. J. , Cuckel H. S. , Boreham Jillian , Turnbull A. C. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryMaternal serum alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) levels between 16 and 18 weeks of pregnancy were studied in relation to birth weight among 4198 singleton pregnancies resulting in a liveborn or stillborn infant without a neural tube defect. The highest mean birth weight (3365 g) was found among infants born to women with AFP values in the range 0.50 to 0.74 times the normal median for the relevant week of gestation. As the AFP decreased from this level to less than 0.25 times the median, the birth weight decreased by 193 g and the proportion of infants weighing 2500 g or less increased from 4 per cent to 11 per cent. As the AFP level increased from 0.50 to 0.74 times the median to 3.0 times the median or greater, the birth weight decreased by 371 g and the proportion of infants weighing 2500 g or less increased from 4 per cent to 22 per cent. The negative association was the more important of the two since the magnitude was greater and it affected 92 per cent of pregnancies. The positive association among women with low AFP levels was substantially reduced when the analysis was restricted to women who had spontaneous labours. It seems that this minor positive association arises mainly because women in whom gestation is over‐estimated tend to have both a low AFP and, later, an apparently prolonged pregnancy leading to the elective delivery of an infant who is, in fact, born early.
UMBILICAL CORD PLASMA PROGESTERONE AT TERM IN RELATION TO MODE OF DELIVERY
Authors: Maynard P. V. , Stein Penelope E. , Symonds E. M. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe progesterone concentration in the umbilical venous and arterial plasma has been measured by radioimmunoassay. In 35 normal spontaneous vaginal deliveries the concentration in the umbilical venous plasma was highly correlated with the difference between venous and arterial plasma concentrations. There was no correlation of progesterone levels with infant birth weight or placental weight, but slightly higher amounts were found in samples taken from women with female fetuses than those with male fetuses. There was also a significant correlation of venous progesterone concentration with duration of labour. In 14 subjects where forceps were used to assist delivery because of prolonged second stage labour, progesterone levels were found to be elevated, whereas in nine cases of elective Caesarean section they were reduced. It is suggested that the fetus may stimulate progesterone secretion by the placenta in response to stress and that there may also be a fetal sex‐related response.
THE INCIDENCE OF UROLOGICAL SYMPTOMS IN NORMAL PREGNANCY
Authors: Stanton S. L. , Kerr‐Wilson R. , Harris V. Grant 
Published: August 2005

SummaryWe questioned 181 healthy pregnant women about their urological symptoms during pregnancy; frequency and stress incontinence were commonest. The incidences of stress incontinence and urge incontinence were increased and that of hesitancy was decreased by pregnancy. Descent of the presenting part did not affect any of these symptoms.
PLASMA TOCOPHEROL AND LIPID LEVELS IN MOTHER AND UMBILICAL CORD; INFLUENCE ON BIRTH WEIGHT
Authors: Jagadeesan V. , Prema K. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryLevels of tocopherol, cholesterol and triglycerides were estimated in paired maternal and umbilical cord plasma samples. All three constituents were significantly lower in cord plasma than in maternal plasma. Since tocopherol and lipids share a common lipoprotein carrier system, the present data suggests that the reduction observed in cord circulation could be due to the inability of the fetus to synthesise these carrier proteins. There was no relation between maternal vitamin E concentrations and infant birth weights.
SINUSOIDAL FETAL HEART RATE PATTERN WITH SEVERE FETAL ANAEMIA
Authors: Blrkenfeld A. , Yaffe H. , Sadovsky E. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryA sinusoidal fetal heart rate pattern, associated with Kell incompatibility, severe fetal anaemia, maternal hypertension and intrauterine fetal growth retardation, is described. The mechanism and management are discussed.
A NEW REGIMEN FOR THE TREATMENT OF VAGINAL CARCINOMA IN SITU USING 5‐FLUOROURACIL
Authors: Stokes I. M. , Sworn M. J. , Hawthorne J. H. R. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryA patient with vaginal carcinoma in situ was treated with 5‐fluorouracil in a less intensive regimen than previously recorded. This appeared to be effective and did not cause serious vaginal discomfort or dyspareunia.
DIAGNOSIS OF THE LUTEINIZED UNRUPTURED FOLLICLE SYNDROME BY STEROID HORMONE ASSAYS ON PERITONEAL FLUID
Authors: Koninckx P. R. , Moor P. De , Brosens I. A. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome is a frequent phenomenon, occurring in half of our women with regular cycles and infertility. Progesterone concentrations and 17p‐oestradiol concentrations were assayed in peritoneal fluid of women during the luteal phase. Up to day 20 of the cycle, the concentrations were significantly higher in women with an ovulation stigma than in women without an ovulation stigma on their corpus luteum. The range of concentrations was sufficiently different in the early luteal phase to be used diagnostically, the only limitation being the presence of a cystic corpus luteum. We suggest that the assay of progesterone and 17β‐oestradiol in peritoneal fluid should be done in all women with infertility and biphasic basal body temperature charts in order to diagnose the luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome.
CORD ENTANGLEMENT CAUSING PREMATURE PLACENTAL SEPARATION AND AMNIOTIC FLUID EMBOLISM
Authors: Corridan M. , Kendall E. D. , Begg J. D. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryA woman died undelivered of amniotic fluid embolism. Postmortem examination showed that cord entanglement had caused premature placental separation with a marginal tear of the membranes and so opened a route of entry for amniotic fluid into the subplacental maternal venous sinuses. It is suggested that premature separation of the normally implanted placenta, associated with macro‐or microscopic tears of or damage to the fetal membranes, provides a route of entry for amniotic fluid through the placental site in approximately one half of the fatal cases of amniotic fluid embolism.
THE INTRAVENTRICULAR CONDUCTION TIME OF FETAL HEART IN UNCOMPLICATED PREGNANCIES
Authors: Brambati B. , Pardi G. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryBy means of a new averaging system, fetal electrocardiograms (ECGs) were obtained simultaneously from three orthogonal leads on the maternal abdomen. The duration of the QRS complex was measured in 421 pregnant women with uncomplicated pregnancies chosen at random between 17 and 41 weeks gestation. Normal standards were established and a close relation was found between QRS duration and the maturity of the fetus. A highly significant relation was observed in 78 patients between the birth weight and the QRS duration. Estimates of birth weight from QRS interval have a standard deviation of 302 g and this may allow the prediction of birth weight with reasonable accuracy. Information on the properties of the fetal ventricular conduction system can be derived from the data presented.
RITODRINE IN THE TREATMENT OF PRETERM
Authors: Larsen J. Falck , Hansen M. Kern , Hesseldahl H. , Kristoffersen K. , Larsen P. K. , Osler M. , Weber J. , Eldon K. , Lange A. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryIn a randomized trial, three alternative schemes of treatment of preterm labour with ritodrine (long infusion, short infusion, and intramuscular injection) were compared with standard treatment by bed rest and sedatives. None of the ritodrine treatments were found to be better in postponing delivery than the standard treatment. However, the Bishop scores of the patients in the standard treatment group tended to be lower than of the patients treated with ritodrine. Moreover, all cases of congenital malformation and polyhydramnios occurred in the patients treated with ritodrine. The incidence of respiratory insufficiency was significantly higher in infants of mothers treated with ritodrine. The mean birth weight was highest in the standard treatment group.
TRANSMISSION OF HEPATITIS B ANTIGENS FROM SYMPTOM FREE CARRIER MOTHERS TO THE FETUS AND THE INFANT
Authors: Wong Vivian C. W. , Lee A. K. Y. , Ip Henrietta M. H. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryMaterno‐fetal transmission of hepatitis B was studied in 97 healthy carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Antepartum transmission occurred in at least 10 per cent. Intrapartum transmission may have occurred in about 40 per cent as a result of swallowing of the infective fluid by the baby during delivery, and materno‐fetal transfusion during labour. Person to person transmission after delivery played a minor role. The presence of hepatitis B associated e antigen (HBeAg) in 48 per cent of maternal serum correlated strongly with the subsequent presence of antigen in the infants. There was a linear association between the incidence of antigens in cord blood and the duration of the first stage of labour, with a significant association when labour exceeded nine hours. Caesarean section is recommended if mothers have HBeAg; likewise amniocentesis and breast feeding should be discouraged if mothers have HBeAg.
HYPERTHYROIDISM COMPLICATING PREGNANCY: RESULTS OF TREATMENT BY ANTITHYROID DRUGS IN 77 PREGNANCIES
Authors: Sugrue D. , Drury M. I. 
Published: August 2005

SummarySeventy‐seven pregnancies (79 infants) complicated by hyperthyroidism were seen at three Dublin Maternity Hospitals during a 25 year period. Hyperthyroidism was diagnosed following conception in 14 pregnancies. Treatment was with carbimazole alone in 73 pregnancies, in a usual dose of 5 to 10 mg daily. The total fetal loss was 15.2 per cent with a perinatal loss of 5.1 per cent. The perinatal loss in patients treated with carbimazole alone was 4.1 per cent (excluding one death due to congenital malformation). Four infants (5.1 per cent) had goitre and 57 (85.1 per cent) of the surviving infants were above the 25th centile for gestational age. Spontaneous premature labour occurred in 7 pregnancies (9.1 per cent). There was a relative excess of infants with a birth weight less than the 25th centile, of neonatal goitre and premature labour after pregnancy in which treatment was started following conception. Hyperthyroidism complicating pregnancy can be treated effectively with antithyroid drugs given alone and in the minimal effective dose.
THE EFFECT OF MALARIAL CHEMOPROPHYLAXIS ON IMMUNOGLOBULIN LEVELS OF PREGNANT NIGERIAN WOMEN AND THE NEWBORN
Authors: Ibeziako Pat. A. , Williams A. I. O. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryImmunoglobulins G, M and A were estimated at various stages of gestation in a group of 60 Nigerian primigravidae who were given malarial chemoprophylaxis throughout pregnancy. Immunoglobulin levels were also determined in paired maternal and cord sera of the same women at the time of delivery. Corresponding values for the malarial fluorescent antibody titres were also obtained. There was a fall in both the IgG levels and the fluorescent antibody titres with increasing gestalion. The mean IgG and malarial fluorescenl anlibody litres were generally lower than those previously reported in Nigerian women not on malarial chemoprophylaxis. The mean cord IgG in this sludy was lower than the mean paired maternal IgG value. This agrees with reported studies in the African population but differs from those reported in Caucasians. The cord IgG values were correlated to the paired maternal IgG levels and those were found to be correlated with the corresponding malarial antibody titres. The factors that influence the fetomaternal IgG gradient are discussed. It is concluded that the newborn of mothers on prolonged malarial chemoprophylaxis may have a lowered acquired immunity to malaria.
IRON STUDIES IN PREGNANT AND NON‐PREGNANT WOMEN WITH HAEMOGLOBIN SS OR SC DISEASE
Authors: Oluboyede O. A. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryIron studies were performed in 22 pregnant and 18 non‐pregnant women with haemoglobinopathies. Mean packed cell volume and mean haemoglobin concentration were significantly lower (p <0.001) in haemoglobin SS patients than in haemoglobin SC patients, in both the pregnant and non‐pregnant groups. Transferrin saturation was significantly lower in pregnant patients (haemoglobin SS and SC) than in the non‐pregnant group (p <0.001). Serum ferritin values in the haemoglobin SS and SC pregnant patients were not significantly different (p >0.05). There was a strong correlation between serum ferritin levels and transferrin saturation in the pregnant group (r = 0.71; p <0.001). Fourteen of the 22 pregnant women (63 per cent) and 9 of the 18 non‐pregnant women (50 per cent) had scanty or no iron in the bone marrow; the serum ferritin levels increased progressively with greater amount of haemosiderin in the bone marrow. There was evidence of iron deficiency in both the pregnant and non‐pregnant women with haemoglobinopathies and this suggests the need for further study on the routine administration of iron in the management of patients with sickle cell disease.
THE EFFECT OF LUMBAR EPIDURAL ANALGESIA ON THE RATE OF CERVICAL DILATATION AND THE OUTCOME OF LABOUR OF SPONTANEOUS ONSET
Authors: Studd J. W. W. , Crawford J. Selwyn , Duignan N. M. , Rowbotham C. J. F. , Hughes A. O. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryA study of 1955 spontaneous labours is presented relating progress and outcome to the presence of a lumbar epidural block in 282 of these patients and to the need for oxytocin augmentation in 427. Graphs for cervical dilatation starting at admission to hospital were constructed for normal and dysfunctional labours of spontaneous onset. Patients requiring augmentation of labour had a lesser cervical dilatation on admission to hospital, a longer first stage, more instrumental deliveries, more Caesarean sections and a greater number of babies with a low Apgar score. An epidural block had no effect on either the duration of first stage or the rate of cervical dilatation but was associated with a 20‐fold increase in rotational forceps delivery and no increase in Caesarean section rate. With an epidural block there was no increase in the number of babies with cerebral irritation or low Apgar scores and there was a statistically significant improvement in the Apgar scores of babies of mothers in augmented dysfunctional labour who had an epidural block. The incidence of rotational forceps delivery in patients with an epidural block could be reduced with safety by allowing such patients to have a longer second stage before considering interference purely for delay.
MOTHERS'VIEWS OF CARE IN LABOUR
Authors: Kirke P. N. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe management of labour was the main focus of interest in this study of mothers' views of their obstetric care. Most of the mothers, 63 per cent, were satisfied with their care by both the doctors and midwives during labour and delivery. Those who were not satisfied rarely questioned the technical competence of the staff but were more concerned with the manner in which care was provided. Thirteen per cent stated that they were not attended by a doctor at any stage during labour or delivery and 43 per cent said they were left alone for at least five minutes; both groups of mothers were more anxious during labour and delivery and were less satisfied with their overall care than those who did not have such experiences. The mothers' feelings about the various procedures which they had during labour and delivery, including induction, were generally favourable. Although overall satisfaction with care was expressed by 77 per cent of the mothers, the findings suggest that obstetricians and midwives need to give greater consideration to the social and psychological aspects of patient care.
ENVIRONMENT AND REPRODUCTION
Authors: Baird Dugald 
Published: August 2005

SummaryUsing national perinatal death statistics extending back to the 19th century and more recent and detailed data from Scotland, it can be shown that death rates from central nervous system deformities and from other causes, generally associated with the mother's socio‐economic circumstances, are related to the period at which the mother herself was born and reared. For example, the increased death rate from anencephaly which occurred throughout the late 1940s and the 1950s can be attributed to cohorts of women who were all born during the great economic depression of 1926 to 1937. While advances in obstetric care will probably continue to reduce the perinatal mortality rate, it is unlikely that rates similar to those in Sweden can be achieved until a generation of women has been reared in an environment comparable to that in Sweden where social class differences in stature have disappeared.
CHANGES IN THE FETAL HEART RATE ASSOCIATED WITH FETAL BREATHING AND FETAL MOVEMENT†
Authors: Wheeler T. , Gennser G. , Lindvall R. , Murrills A. J 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThirty‐eight recordings of fetal heart rate and fetal activity were made from 21 normal patients between 36 and 41 weeks gestation. Each recording lasted for an average of 39 minutes. The heart rate was measured from beat to beat using the R‐wave of the fetal electrocardiogram as the indicator of each heart‐beat. Fetal breathing movements and fetal body movements were detected using either A‐mode or B‐mode ultrasound systems. The relation of fetal breathing and fetal movement to the fetal heart rate was studied both by cardiotachography and computer analysis of the R‐R intervals. Fetal body movements (kicking and rolling) were usually associated with a brief tachycardia, the latter typically occurring every two to three minutes. In 14 recordings, the periods of fetal activity were interrupted by periods of fetal rest with an average duration of 12.5 minutes. Fetal breathing was seen in 26 of the 34 recordings analysed and occurred principally during the periods of fetal activity. Fetal breathing was associated with a significant increase in heart rate variation measured as the standard deviation of the R‐R intervals and the mean absolute R‐R interval difference. Sometimes a pattern of respiratory sinus arrhythmia was seen.
THE EFFECT OF INTRAVENOUS GLUCOSE ON HUMAN FETAL BREATHING MEASURED BY DOPPLER ULTRASOUND
Authors: Goodman J. D. S. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryFetal breathing movements were recorded from 24 normal fetuses using the continuous Doppler ultrasound method. This system has been improved by the addition of a microprocessor which facilitates the accurate determination of breath to breath intervals. A control group of twelve patients in late pregnancy received 2 ml sterile water. By comparison the administration of 25 g intravenous glucose to a similar group of 12 patients caused an increase in the proportion of time during which fetal breathing was present from 18.2±5.8 per cent (mean±SE) to 67.0±6.3 per cent after 25 minutes (p±0.001). There was no significant change in the rate or variability of breathing.
FETAL BREATHING MOVEMENTS AND MATERNAL HYPEROXIA
Authors: Ritchie J. W. K. , Lakhani K. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe effect of maternal inhalation of 50 per cent oxygen upon fetal breathing movements was investigated. No significant effect was noted in patients with normal pregnancies or in those complicated by insulin dependent diabetes or mild preeclampsia. A significant increase in fetal breathing movements was observed in those pregnancies complicated by either severe preeclampsia or fetal growth retardation.
THE CAUSES OF LOW OESTROGEN EXCRETION IN PREGNANCY: ASSESSMENT OF THE FETAL CONTRIBUTION BY STEROID MEASUREMENTS POST PARTUM
Authors: Taylor N. F. , Philip Ruby S. , Shackleton C. H. L. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryOestrogen levels in urine from 21 normotensive and 13 hypertensive pregnant women were moderately correlated (r=0.48) with levels of 3β‐hydroxy‐5‐ene steroids (oestrogen precursors) in urine from their infants. In five infants from otherwise normal pregnancies in which oestrogen excretion was very low, levels of 3β‐hydroxy‐5‐ene steroids were significantly lower than normal while there was no difference between hypertensives and normals. Levels of urinary cortisol metabolites in the infants were moderately correlated with 3β‐hydroxy‐5‐ene steroids (r=0.55) and were especially low in 2 out of 5 infants in the series suffering from distress during delivery. We conclude that subnormal fetal steroidogenesis rather than reduced placental metabolism is the most common cause of low oestrogen excretion of unknown aetiology. A factor in the increased perinatal risk in this group may be an associated insufficient cortisol synthesis by the fetus.
LAPAROSCOPIC SPERM RECOVERY IN INFERTILE WOMEN
Authors: Templeton A. A. , Mortimer D. 
Published: August 2005

SummarySperm recovery from the peritoneal fluid was attempted in a group of infertile women in whom it was anticipated that all routine investigations would be normal (commonly referred to as ‘normal infertiles’). Forty‐four couples were recruited into the study but in retrospect only 24 met the study criteria of normal semen, normal pelvis and appropriate timing. In 15 of these 24 patients, spermatozoa were covered from the peritoneal fluid, and so far seven have become pregnant. In the nine patients where spermatozoa were not recovered, none have so far become pregnant. There was no correlation between sperm recovery and the quality of the post‐insemination cervical mucus examination. This test allows more accurate assessment of the ability of spermatozoa to reach the site of fertilization.