Relationship between neonatal birth weight and maternal plasma amino acid profiles in lean and obese nondiabetic women and in type I diabetic pregnant women.

Profiles of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and concentrations of plasma glucose and 18 plasma amino acids were obtained in ten nonobese, insulin-dependent type I diabetic women, in 9 age- and weight-matched normal women and in ten obese nondiabetic women throughout pregnancy and postpartum. In late gestation, the period of maximum fetal growth, average HbA1c, plasma glucose, and total amino acid concentrations in diabetic mothers were significantly elevated above lean control values. No differences existed between the obese and lean control groups.

The association of smoking with clinical indicators of altered sex steroids--a study of 50,145 women.

This study was designed to test the association of smoking with four clinically apparent conditions that may be related to altered sex steroids: natural and induced menopause, infertility, oligomenorrhea, and hirsutism. Data were obtained from the personal inventories of 50,145 women ages 20-59 years in TOPS, a weight reduction program. The age-adjusted odds ratios of each condition for heavy smokers compared with nonsmokers were 1.

Prolactin and growth hormone responses in the amenorrhea-galactorrhea syndrome.

Fifteen patients with hyperprolactinemia, amenorrhea, and galactorrhea were studied; 10 of these patients had apparent tumors. Nine of 12 patients had a suppression of prolactin with oral L-dopa, and all of 4 patients undergoing dopamine infusion had suppression of prolactin. Eleven and 8 patients underwent chlorpromazine stimulation and insulin-induced hypoglycemia, respectively; none responded.

Chronic-persistent hepatitis and pregnancy.

The course and possible risks of pregnancy in 7 women between the ages of 20 and 30 yr with chronic-persistent hepatitis (CPH) were evaluated. Ten pregnancies occurred in these women during the follow-up period which ranged from 3 to 8 yr. Four of the fetuses were aborted electively for nonmedical reasons.

The effect of a perinatal center on perinatal mortality.

The evolution of a perinatal center over the past 12 years was reviewed. Factors in obstetric practices, maternal morbidity, and perinatal mortality were evaluated. The reduction in conditions leading to uteroplacental insufficiency (toxemia, hypertension, high parity) has been the most significant result.

Amniotic fluid lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio changes related to centrifugal force.

Lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio (L/S ratio) in amniotic fluid has gained wide clinical acceptance as an index of fetal lung maturity. We determined L/S ratios of amniotic fluids centrifuged at various "g-forces." Our studies demonstrate that the L/S ratio value is highly dependent on the g-force used to prepare the fluid.

Pregnancy in cirrhotic and noncirrhotic portal hypertension.

The course of pregnancy in 1 patient with chronic active hepatitis (CAH) and cirrhosis, and another with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO) is described. The management of pregnancy in these diseases associated with portal hypertension is discussed and risks of pregnancy are compared. The patient with CAH presented with anovulatory cycles, and ovulation occurred following immunosuppressive therapy.

Clomiphene citrate therapy in a patient with Laennec's cirrhosis.

Clomiphene citrate therapy was initiated in a male with Laennec's cirrhosis complicated by gynecomastia, testicular atrophy, impotence, and loss of libido. The patient had abstained from alcohol and had stable hepatic function tests for 1 year before starting therapy. Luteinizing hormone and endogenous testosterone levels were maximally elevated with low dose therapy (50 mg per day).

Venereal transmission of hepatitis B virus. The possible role of vaginal secretions.

The presence of Type B viral (Australia antigen related serum) hepatitis in vaginal specimens was investigated and compared with that in saliva specimens in a group of patients during the acute phase of their illness. Hepatitis B surface antigen was detectable in most vaginal and salivary secretions during the phase of antigenemia and not in hepatitis B surface antigen-negative controls. Despite care in collection, occult blood was detected in the majority of specimens, but the positivity for hepatitis B surface antigen did not depend on the presence of occult blood.