Management of the pregnant immigrant woman in the decade 1992-2001.

The study evaluates the mode of delivery and quality of care given to 1014 pregnant women not belonging to the European Union (EU) during the 10-year period, 1992-2001. The non-EU patients were delivered significantly more often by caesarean section than Italian controls, 35.0% vs.

[Assisted labor among non European community pregnant women at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic of the Verona University].

Background: The aim of this paper is to evaluate the role and the prevalence of the non-European Community pregnant women in our Institute during the period 1992-1998. The peculiarity of the female immigration in the world and particularly in Italy is stressed from the point of view of the different cultural, ethnic and religious problems of these women.

Methods: During the observed period 8972 women delivered; 434 of them came from non-European Community countries and their individual (age, country) and obstetric (parity, physiological or pathological evaluation of pregnancy, mode of delivery) data were observed.

[Fatty acid composition of the cervical mucus obtained during ovulation and at the term of pregnancy].

Background: Aim of this work is to evaluate the different fatty acid composition of cervical mucus obtained during ovulation and at the term of pregnancy.

Methods: The fatty acid composition in cervical mucus was determined in 14 non pregnant women during expected ovulation (cervical score > 10) and in 12 at term pregnant women. Following extraction, (acidification and transesterification), the identification and quantification of fatty acids was performed by gas-chromatographic analysis, with the aid of a specific software.

Fetal macrosomia and management of delivery.

During the period 1988-1966, 737 pregnancies, in which the infant birth weight was > or = 4000 grams were studied. During the same period there were 11,631 newborns, and 6.3% of them were infants with a birth weight > or = 4000 grams.

[Obstetric prevention of neonatal infections caused by group B beta-hemolytic Streptococcus].

While our understanding of Group B Streptococcal infections has progressed with impressive measure, their prevention has not been accompanied by an effective means. Chemoprophylaxis for selected colonized women at rupture of membranes or at onset of labour, enhances benefit and minimizes adverse effects. Two or more maternal risk factors are special circumstances for routine use of chemoprophylaxis in asymptomatic neonates.

[Fetal macrosomia and mode of delivery].

During the period 1988-1993 the route of delivery in 482 infants with birth weight > or = 4000 grams was studied. Normal vaginal delivery occurred in 396 (82.1%) cases, vacuum extractor in 8 (1.

[Determination of fetal pulmonary maturity using gas chromatographic analysis of fatty acids in the amniotic fluid. Statistic reliability of the method].

Assessment of foetal lung maturity by gas chromatographic analysis of the fatty acids in the amniotic fluid. Statistical reliability of the technique. Gas-chromatographic analysis of the fatty acids (Palmitis acid/Steric acid ratio: P/S ratio) was carried out in 432 samples of amniotic fluid obtained between the 28th and 42th weeks of gestational age.

[Radioimmunoassay of SP1 in obstetrics and gynecological oncology].

The authors by means of radioimmunoassay analyze SP1 values in selected obstetric and oncological samples. Seven amniotic fluid samples showed various degrees of positivity, but not strictly correlated to the gestational age (previous analysis by immunodiffusion were always negative). SP1 concentrations in ectopic pregnancy confermed similar investigations by other authors.

[Creatinine in the amniotic fluid].

Creatinine concentration in the amniotic fluid during the latter half of pregnancy was investigated by single determinations in 39 patients and serial determinations in 2 patients. Concentrations of creatinine remained constant or increased very gradually up to approximately 34 weeks, at which point a more abrupt increase apparently took place so that after 37 weeks the level was 1,5 mg. Physiologically, these data lend support to the commonly held theory of fetal urine as an additive source of amniotic fluid.

[Radioimmunological determination of insulin in the amniotic fluid].

Small amounts of immunoreactive insulin, at about one-eighth the concentrations found in maternal serum, have been detected in human amniotic fluid. A positive correlation between term amniotic fluid insulin levels and newborn birth weight was found. Insulin was studied in 42 samples of amniotic fluid obtained from normal and pathological pregnancies by radioimmunoassay.

[Placental lactogen (HPL) in amniotic fluid].

Human placental lactogen (HPL) was analyzed in 52 samples of amniotic fluid. Assays of liquor HPL appear to aid in the evaluation of the degree of fetal involvement with erythroblastosys. The measurement of HPL in amniotic fluid may yet be proved also in the management of mothers with diabetes.