[lst report: Alternatives to cortisone therapy. lst clinical experiences with a carnitine-betamethasone combination for the stimulation of fetal lung maturity].

In the recent past criticism has been voiced with regard to the efficacy and possible side effects of corticosteroid prophylaxis of fetal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Apparently the efficacy of this treatment has been over-estimated and the spectrum of possible side effects has not received enough critical attention. In view of the multiple indications that the fetal metabolism, above all, may be altered by this type of therapy, it seems necessary to search for other methods of surfactant stimulation.

Pregnancy rate after homologous insemination of pathological ejaculate both with and without the addition of kallikrein.

As part of a gynecological-andrological cooperation programme for the treatment of infertile marriages made by the 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Department of Urology, University of Vienna Medical School, the pregnancy rates achieved through 1,269 homologous inseminations of pathological ejaculates (according to Elliason's classification) both with and without addition of kallikrein was analysed retrospectively. In the case of 131 married couples, only 5 pregnancies occurred without the addition of kallikrein, and where kallikrein was used, there were also 5 pregnancies in 75 couples (6.66%).

[Newborn of more than 4000 grams birthweight (author's transl)].

Perinatal morbidity and mortality are well known to be higher in macrosomatic neonates, whose birthweight is 4000 g or more. 398 mothers of such macrosomatic infants and 7314 mothers of infants of normal weight were retrospectively reviewed for factors possibly influencing fetal weight. The following items were found to be statistically more frequent or predominant in the study group than in the controls: preconceptional obesity, weight gain of more than 20% during pregnancy, multiparae with an history of macrosomatic infants.