ABSTRACT
553 cases of intrapartum fetal acidosis (pH less than 7.25) were treated with a betamimetic agent (ritodrine 250-300 micrograms/min). In 403 cases (72.8%), an improvement of fetal pH greater than 0.05 pH U was observed. Improvement was comparable in cases where the cause of fetal distress was abnormal uterine activity and in those where this was not the cause. Indeed, the recovery rate was the same, independent of the percentage of uterine activity inhibition. The neonatal condition was better in the pH recovered versus not recovered group. We suggest that conservative treatment of fetal distress with betamimetic drugs is a reasonable measure for improvement of fetal and neonatal condition.
Subject(s)
Acidosis/drug therapy , Fetal Diseases/drug therapy , Ritodrine/therapeutic use , Apgar Score , Female , Heart Rate, Fetal/drug effects , Humans , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , PregnancyABSTRACT
In 87 premature labors, 31 were treated with betamimetic drugs. The incidence of RDS in the treated group has been lower than in the non-treated group, especially when gestational age was shorter than 35 wk and when newborn's weight was lower than 2000 g.
Subject(s)
Adrenergic beta-Agonists/therapeutic use , Obstetric Labor, Premature/prevention & control , Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn/prevention & control , Birth Weight , Female , Gestational Age , Humans , Infant, Newborn , PregnancyABSTRACT
In a double-blind and randomized study the administration of a betamimetic drug to the mother from week 33 to 35 produces a significant increase in amniotic fluid palmitic acid levels. We suggest that the administration of a betamimetic drug during pregnancy to the mother can be useful in producing an acceleration of the fetal lung maturation.
Subject(s)
Fetal Organ Maturity/drug effects , Lung/embryology , Ritodrine/therapeutic use , Adult , Amniotic Fluid/metabolism , Clinical Trials as Topic , Double-Blind Method , Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Palmitic Acids/metabolism , Pregnancy , Random AllocationABSTRACT
The palmitic and stearic acids and the palmitic/stearic ratio in fetal rabbit lungs were studied after orciprenaline administration to the mother from the 26th to the 31st day of gestation. The results were significantly higher in the treated groups than in the control group for the palmitic acid and palmitic/stearic ratio.
Subject(s)
Lung/embryology , Metaproterenol/pharmacology , Animals , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical , Female , Fetal Organ Maturity/drug effects , Lung/metabolism , Palmitic Acids/metabolism , Pregnancy , Rabbits , Stearic Acids/metabolismABSTRACT
503 samplings of palmitic acid in amniotic fluid are correlated with gestational age during labor or not. In nine cases of R.D.S. determinations during labor were of very low values, but not in those before labor started. Results are discussed, indicating that values over 2 mg./100 ml. show adequate pulmonary maturity. Inferior values would only be valuable if samples are obtained during labor.
Subject(s)
Amniotic Fluid/analysis , Palmitic Acids/analysis , Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn/diagnosis , Female , Gestational Age , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Labor, Obstetric , Male , Pregnancy , Prenatal DiagnosisABSTRACT
The lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio, lecithin concentrations and palmitic acid levels in amniotic fluid were studied during labour and compared with values found before labour. All were significantly higher in women in labour. The explanation and significance of this finding are briefly discussed.
Subject(s)
Amniotic Fluid/analysis , Labor, Obstetric , Palmitic Acids/analysis , Phosphatidylcholines/analysis , Sphingomyelins/analysis , Female , Gestational Age , PregnancyABSTRACT
The relationship between the concentration of several phospholipids in amniotic fluid and the ocurrence of neonatal RDS was established some years ago. However the methods used for the determination of those substances are sophisticated and time consuming. They require specalized equipment and take at least 2 or 3 hours. CLEMENTS described a semiquantitative method which overcomes these disadvantages. The present study compared the concentration of lecithin, shingomyelin, lysolecithin and the L/S ratio against the results obtained when processing the same samples with the CLEMENTS Test. the results are expressed in mg/100 ml. for the different phospholipids and the test was evaluated as positive, intermediate or negative. a statistically significant correlation has been found between the values of lecithin, lysolecithin and L/S ratio and the results of the CLEMENTS Test, respectively. No correlation could be found with sphingomyelin (Figs. 1-4). It is concluded that the CLEMENTS Test can be a useful tool as a screening test available to any obstetrical centre.
