[Intrauterine devices]. / Le stérilet.

PIP: Medicated IUDs such as copper IUDs and progesterone-releasing IUDs represent a new development in this form of contraception. All IUDs act by causing an inflammatory reaction at the endometrial level. Techniques of insertion vary from one model to the other; insertion always requires an experienced practitioner, and postabortion or midmenstruation insertions are to be preferred. Pregnancy with IUD in situ is a rare occurrence; the IUD must then be immediately removed. Ectopic pregnancies are about 5-10% of all pregnancies with the device in situ. IUD complications are uterine perforation, mostly done at time of insertion, and pelvic infection which, if untreated, can cause infertility; this is the reason why an IUD is never recommended to a nullipara. Pain and bleeding are the most common side effects. When the strings of the device are not visible, translocation of the device inside the uterine cavity must be suspected. The choice of the wrong type of IUD or a bad insertion can cause spontaneous expulsion of the device. IUD wearers must be regularly seen by a doctor; there is no correlation between IUD use and cervical or endometrial carcinoma.^ieng

[Alpha-fetoproteins in maternal serum. Radioimmunologic determination in current obstetrical practice. Analysis of 669 determinations]. / Alpha-foetoprotéine dans le sérum maternel. Dosage radio-immunologique en pratique obstétricale courante. Analyse de 669 dosages.

The analysis of 669 levels of maternal serum alpha-fetoproteins carried out using a radio-immunological technique with double antibodies has enabled a diagram of normal values to be established on the one hand has shown up certain modifications of levels when different pathological conditions arise in pregnancy on the other hand. Raised levels were found in: intra-uterine fetal death. In some cases the rise preceded death, in twin pregnancies. Low levels were found in: severe pre-eclamptic pregnancies, in low intra-uterine fetal growth after the 32nd week, in threatened premature labour. Finally, the levels of AFP in the maternal serum were found to be normal in two cases where there were neural tube malformations. The existence of variations in the levels of AFP in maternal serum in a variety of pathological features suggests that these levels could be used as a new parameter in the biochemical monitoring of the fetus.