1/5. Variations in maternal serum zinc during pregnancy and correlation to congenital malformations, dysmaturity, and abnormal parturition.serum zinc concentrations in 234 gravidae showed a gradual fall during the first and second trimesters. From the 25th week of gestation until delivery there is a levelling out of mean zinc values. No correlations between serum zinc, serum HCS, or urinary excretion of oestriol were found. women with mature infants born by normal delivery showed significantly higher serum zinc during pregnancy than women with abnormal deliveries and/or abnormally developed infants (p less than 0.001). Eight infants showed congenital malformations. Five of the 8 mothers showed the lowest serum zinc concentrations recorded during respective week of pregnancy. A diabetic woman gave birth to an immature infant with multiple skeletal malformations. She showed the lowest serum zinc in the 21st week, and at the same time a very low alkaline phosphatase activity. Her serum proteins and serum HCS were normal. women with dysmature infants showed significantly lower zinc values during pregnancy (p less than 0.02) than women with mature infants born by normal delivery. Data from studies on zinc metabolism show that there is a requirement of at least 375 mg of zinc during pregnancy in order to meet the demands of normal weight gain. Teenagers, women with multiple pregnancies, women with impaired intestinal absorption due to disease or drugs and in particular women with a low-protein, high-phytate diet seem to risk developing zinc deficiency during pregnancy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pregnancy (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/5. Excessive maternal weight and pregnancy outcome.OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to determine the influences of increased maternal prepregnancy weight and increased gestational weight gain on pregnancy outcome. STUDY DESIGN: This was a longitudinal retrospective study of 7407 term pregnancies delivered from 1987 through 1989. After excluding cases with multiple fetuses, stillbirths, fetal anomalies, no prenatal care, selected medical and surgical complications, and those with incomplete medical records, 3191 cases remained for analyses by determination of odds ratios for obstetric outcomes, by chi 2 tests for significant differences and by adjustment for risk factors with stepwise logistic regression. RESULTS: Both increased maternal prepregnancy weight (body mass index) and increased maternal gestational weight gain were associated with increased risks of fetal macrosomia (p less than 0.0001), labor abnormalities (p less than 0.0001), postdatism (p = 0.002), meconium staining (p less than 0.001), and unscheduled cesarean sections (p less than 0.0001). They were also associated with decreased frequencies of low birth weight (p less than 0.001). The magnitude of the last was less than that of the other outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Increased maternal weight gain in pregnancy results in higher frequencies of fetal macrosomia, which in turn lead to increased rates of cesarean section and other major maternal and fetal complications. Because these costs of increased maternal weight gain appear to outweigh benefits, weight gain recommendations for pregnancy warrant careful review.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pregnancy (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/5. uterine rupture at term pregnancy with the use of intracervical prostaglandin E2 gel for induction of labor.Prostaglandin E2 is a powerful oxytocic agent that reliably initiates labor, even in the presence of an unripe cervix. The low incidence of fetomaternal complication contributes to its universal use. We report a rare case of uterine rupture after intracervical application of prostaglandin E2 gel. Thus far no prostaglandin compound or method of administration seems to be exempt from such a complication.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.44444444444444keywords = pregnancy (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/5. Sinusoidal heart rate pattern and face presentation in a fetus from a postterm pregnancy. A case report.A case of sinusoidal fetal heart rate pattern occurred in association with postdate pregnancy and face presentation. The case met the criteria for sinusoidal pattern established by Modanlou and Freeman except for a prior period of reactivity. Prompt recognition and action precluded the potential adverse outcome associated with this tracing.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.55555555555556keywords = pregnancy (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/5. fetal heart rate decelerations after oxytocin infusion in an abdominal pregnancy.fetal heart rate (FHR) decelerations during a contraction stress test are recognized as signs of possible uteroplacental insufficiency. Although these decelerations have been described commonly in intrauterine pregnancies, they have not been noted in extrauterine pregnancies. Reported herein are FHR decelerations associated with oxytocin infusion in an extrauterine pregnancy and a discussion of the possible pathophysiologic mechanisms.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.55555555555556keywords = pregnancy (Clic here for more details about this article) |