The effects of recombinant human erythropoietin given immediately after delivery to women with anaemia.

Objective: Anaemia is a common problem during pregnancy and the puerperium. This study was designed to determine the efficacy and safety of giving recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) to anaemic women during the puerperium.

Method: Thirty-seven women received a single dose of EPO (20 000 IU intravenously) immediately after delivery.

Clinical experience with Norplant subdermal implant system as long-term contraception during adolescence.

Objective: This study was undertaken to assess the efficacy, acceptability and side-effects of the Norplant (Leiras) contraceptive system during adolescence.

Methods: A total of 13 adolescents were implanted with Norplant immediately after menstruation. Adolescents were advised to present for follow-up visits at 3 days after implantation, at 3, 6 and 12 months and every 1 year thereafter.

Anticardiolipin antibodies levels in healthy pregnant and non-pregnant woman.

To determine the prevalence of anticardiolipin antibodies in healthy non pregnant women and during normal pregnancy, 110 healthy women of mean age 25 years old and 53 healthy pregnant females of mean age 24.5 years old, who no one suffered from any autoimmune disease, were studied. In all women the anticardiolipin antibodies were measured in duplicate by the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

Increased resistance to activated protein C and factor V Leiden in recurrent abortions. Review of other hypercoagulability factors.

Objective: To evaluate hereditary and acquired hemostatic abnormalities associated with recurrent spontaneous early (first-trimester) abortions.

Method: A group of 56 Greek women with two or more unexplained primary spontaneous abortions, and a reference group of 148 women without a history of recurrent abortions, were screened for hypercoagulability. A randomly selected population of first-trimester pregnant women was also chosen for factor V Leiden genetic screening.

Investigation of kinetic of lead during pregnancy and lactation.

Lead concentration was estimated in peripheral blood, milk as well as in cord blood in 47 women and their infants, using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Mean maternal blood lead concentration was 14.9 +/- 4.