Epicutaneous application of A2358 compresses containing ketocaine for pain relief in labor. A multicenter double-blind trial.

In the present multicenter trial 147 primigravidae were treated for low-back pain during the first stage of labor. 72 parturients were treated with A2358 compresses containing ketocaine, which were applied to the sacral lower-back region for one hour, 75 parturients were treated identically with compresses without the anesthetic drug. The pain relieving effect was almost the same in both treatment groups.

Umbilical cord cortisol and arterial pH levels in spontaneous and induced labors.

The free cortisol concentration in umbilical cord plasma and the pH of umbilical artery blood were determined in 108 full-term fetuses delivered vaginally. Eighty-six of the labors were spontaneous and 22 were induced with oxytocin. The cortisol values correlated significantly with the pH values (r = -.

Intrapartum stress lowers the concentration of high density lipoprotein cholesterol in cord plasma.

The concentration of cord plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and apoprotein AI and AII has been measured in acidotic and non-acidotic full-term neonates without chronic maternal-fetal problems. The level of cord plasma triglycerides was significantly increased (P less than 0.05) and that of HDL cholesterol significantly decreased (P less than 0.

Headache as a symptom of endometriosis externa.

Prior to an abdominal operation, 125 patients were asked if they regularly had headache during the menstrual period together with or without pain in the lower pelvic region. Pelvic pain patients with endometriosis externa reported headache significantly more often than those without endometriosis. Headache proved to be almost as common a symptom as lower pelvic pain in patients with endometriosis.