[Induced abortion in the second trimester by intra-amniotic administration of PGF2 alpha]. / Przerwanie ciazy w II trymestrze przy pomocy doowodniowego podawania prostaglandyny F2 alfa.

PIP: A group of 15 women between the ages of 24-45 were given intraamiotic does of 40 mg of prostagladin F2alpha (PGF2alpha; Enzaprost) in a single dose so as to terminate pregnancy. These pregnancies, between the 15th- 24th weeks, were terminated for medical reasons. 12 hours elapsed between the time of intraamniotic administration and the appearance of labor pains, with the average being 9 hours. Labor lasted between 3-19 hours, with the average being 9 hours. The authors found that the time which lapsed between PG administration and the onset of labor was longer among multiparas but the length of labor was extended in primigravidae; the difference was not statistically different. The procedure was considered successful in all cases as there was no need to use other methods. Complications were not observed and there were no side effects connected with the intravenous administration of the PGs. (author's modified)^ieng

[Effect of smoking by pregnant women on the blood serum level of vitamin C]. / Wplyw palenia tytoniu przez kobiety ciezarne na zachowanie sie stezenia witaminy C w surowicy krwi.

PIP: 560 pregnant women aged 20-30 were divided into 2 groups; 270 smokers (150 smoking 6-10 cigarettes a day and 120 smoking 12-20 cigarettes) and 270 nonsmokers. Their serum vitamin C level was measured repeatedly by the method of Roe and Kuethera from the 2nd to the 10th month. Nonsmokers had 1.037 mg vitamin C in their blood light smokers had .699 mg, and heavy smokers had .521 mg. The serum level of both smoker groups was statistically significant (p .001). The vitamin C level of light smokers was .8 mg, while that of heavy smokers was .6 mg%. The vitamin C level of all pregnant women tended to decrease somewhat as pregnancy progressed; however, this was statistically insignificant. Smoking of tobacco caused the decrease of serum vitamin C levels in pregnant women compared to nonsmokers. The decline of vitamin C levels was greater in those pregnant women who smokes more cigarettes per day.^ieng