Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Green, G. H.; Liley, A. W.; Liggins, G. C.

doi: 10.1111/j.1479-828X.1965.tb00290.xpmid: 14316851

Summary: 1 A series of 22 foetal transfusions performed in 16 patients over a period of 12 months is presented. 2 In infants hydropic at the first transfusion the procedure was of no benefit, all such infants dying in utero. Demonstrable hydrops is at present a contraindication to foetal transfusion. 3 Of 8 infants not hydropic at the first transfusion, 6 survived and were well at periods of 2 months of age and more. One developed hydrops prior to a second transfusion and one died in the neonatal period at 32 weeks after 3 foetal transfusions. 4 Amniotic fluid analysis is considered to be of the utmost importance in the selection of cases. 5 Some points in the technique are briefly discussed. No notable risks to foetuses so treated have yet been demonstrated. 6 The place of foetal transfusion in the management of pregnancy complicated by rhesus sensitization is discussed. Theoretically it should not be necessary in more than 1 in 2,000 pregnancies. Benefits accruing from the procedure are the saving of some babies poised between the risks of intrauterine death and neonatal death from prematurity, the drawing of attention to the prognostic value of amniotic fluid analysis by spectrophotometry, and an indication of the principle that it is possible to treat an infant in utero. 7 Any patient with rhesus sensitization whose amniotic fluid shows an optical density for the 450 mμ peak of above 0.20 between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy should be considered for foetal transfusion.

Mackenzie, Helen P.

doi: 10.1111/j.1479-828X.1965.tb00291.xpmid: 14316852

Summary: 1 A further case of surviving female quadruplets is reported. 2 The mother died from eclampsia shortly after admission to hospital 24 hours post partum. 3 The placenta was injected via the umbilical veins with coloured solutions and communications between placental areas indicated that the quadruplets were uniovular. 4 The management of the infants is described.

Cox, R. I.; Wurm, R. S.

doi: 10.1111/j.1479-828X.1965.tb00292.xpmid: 14316853

Summary: 1. A notable increase in pregnanediol excretion has been found in 9 out of 14 pregnant patients receiving massive Provera therapy, after viability has been reached, to control uterine contractions. 2. The increase in pregnanediol excretion is most apparent 2–3 weeks after commencing Provera treatment. 3. An hypothesis is submitted as a possible explanation of this phenomenon.

Rawlings, W. J.

doi: 10.1111/j.1479-828X.1965.tb00293.xpmid: 14316854

Summary: 1. The role of cervical ligation in the treatment of recurrent abortion has been studied in a series of 100 patients. 2. It is considered that in patients with late abortion and premature labour there is usually an active process of extrusion of the uterine contents, and only rarely is there a mechanical fault in the cervix. 3. In these patients it is important that progesterone deficiency and anxiety states be treated adequately. 4. The course of subsequent pregnancies in these patients will establish the relative value of cervical ligation. This study and the conclusions will appear in Part II.

Forster, Frank M. C.

doi: 10.1111/j.1479-828X.1965.tb00294.xpmid: 14316855

Parker, M. LeMoine

doi: 10.1111/j.1479-828X.1965.tb00295.xpmid: 14316856

The obstetric service provided for the inhabitants of Christmas Island has been outlined and the records of the period 1950 to 1960 have been reviewed, in order to determine the overall pattern of obstetrics and the incidence of complications.

Hankin, M. E.; Symonds, E. M.; Cellier, K. M.

doi: 10.1111/j.1479-828X.1965.tb00296.xpmid: 14316857

Summary: 1. A study of lactation and diet in a group of 174 primigravid and secundigravid women is presented. 2. The mean (geometric) length of lactaction was 4.8 weeks. Two weeks after delivery 70% of all subjects were breast feeding whilst at 6 weeks only 45% were breast feeding. 3. The length of lactation was greater in subjects with a higher antenatal dietary rating. 4. The length of lactation was greater in patients with better postnatal diets. 5. A diet of 70 g. protein/day, 800 mg. calcium/day and 2,500 calories/day seemed adequate for the maintenance of lactation. 6. The mean length of lactation in those subjects owning their own home was longer than that in those not owning their own home. 7. Parity was not related in this series to length of lactation. Subjects 19 years or younger were as successful in lactation as those 20 years and older. 8. The length of lactation of the mother did not seem to affect the weight of the infant at 6 and 12 months. 9. The mean maternal weight gain 12 months after delivery compared with pre‐conception weight was 0.45 kg. (1 lb.) and there was no relationship beween length of lactation and maternal weight gain at the end of 12 months.

Gaal, Robert J.

doi: 10.1111/j.1479-828X.1965.tb00297.xpmid: 14316858

Shipton, Eva A.; Meares, S. Devenish

doi: 10.1111/j.1479-828X.1965.tb00298.xpmid: 14316847

Summary: An example of heterotopic bone in the ovary is reported. The literature is reviewed and possible causes of the condition discussed.

Fahmy, Kamal

doi: 10.1111/j.1479-828X.1965.tb00299.xpmid: 14316848

Summary: The literature on salt packing of the vagina after labour and its various aftereffects is reviewed. A series of 32 gynaecological and 2 obstetric cases met with in Saudi‐Arabia and Kuwait is presented. Important points in the diagnosis and treatment of this interesting condition are discussed.