The intrauterine contraceptive device, "Multiload Cu 250": a regulatory problem.

Reports to the control agencies in Sweden and Australia of fractures of the intrauterine contraceptive device. Multiload Cu 250, led to a review of the safety of this device in these countries. The review revealed that fractures of the device had occurred in 15 other countries but in these countries only 5% of reports had been directed to the relevant national control authorities.

Fetal lung maturation in diabetic pregnancy.

The increased incidence of the idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS) in infants of diabetic mothers may be explained by preterm delivery and asphyxia but the metabolic derangement per se may also be responsible for the inadequate production of surfactant. Experimental studies of the underlying mechanisms in the lungs of fetuses of pregnant diabetic rats have shown a decreased formation of the two major surfactant phospholipids disaturated phosphatidyl choline and phosphatidyl glycerol. In addition, the activities of key enzymes responsible for the production of these phospholipids are decreased in the fetal lung tissue.

The development of antioxidant enzymatic defense in the perinatal rat lung: activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase.

This report describes the development of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase activities in fetal (days 16-22) and neonatal (day 2 postpartum) lungs of normal rats. Each of the enzymes showed an individual pattern of development in the perinatal period. Glutathione peroxidase activity increased by 135% (p less than 0.

Obstetric care in diabetic pregnancy.

In diabetic pregnancy near-normalization of maternal blood glucose levels improves the perinatal outcome. Strict metabolic control can be achieved by self-monitoring of blood glucose in ambulant praxis. The obstetric supervision may now therefore be organized on an out-patient basis aiming at early recognition of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and deviation in fetal growth.

Evaluation of hydronephrosis in pregnancy using ultrasound and renography.

The value of ultrasound and 131-Hippuran renography for diagnosing hydronephrosis during pregnancy was investigated. In a control series of 31 symptom-free pregnant women the ultrasonographically measured renal pelvic diameters in the three trimesters were 5, 10 and 12 mm on the right side and 3, 4 and 5 on the left, respectively. In ten healthy non-pregnant women the pelvic diameter varied from 3 to 9 mm on the right side and from 2 to 6 mm on the left side when measured during antidiuresis and water diuresis.