James M. Sutherland

Intrauterine disseminated intravascularcoagulation: A syndrome of multiple pregnancy with a dead twin fetus

Three infants with intrauterine disseminated intravascular coagulation are presented.Each was the product of a twin pregnancy with a macerated sibling. Renal cortical and cerebral necrosis were the predominant features. Two other similar patients have been previously reported. It appears likely that the feto-fetal exchange of thromboplastic material from a dead fetus through vascular shunts in a monochorionic placenta is responsible for this syndrome. With conservative management, the renal cortical necrosis may not necessarily be fatal, but the prognosis is probably poor because of the severity of the cerebral damage.

Birth weights of infants of toxemic mothers

Summary A comparative study of the birth weights of infants of toxemic mothers and of nontoxemic control infants was conducted at the Cincinnati General Hospital. The data were analyzed, and weight at birth and calculated gestational age at time of delivery were correlated. Contrary to what is generally believed, and has often been reported, the birth weights of the toxemic group were not lower than those of the control group. Indeed, the toxemic infants were larger than the control infants, though the weight difference was not statistically significant. The comparison of the correlation between birth weight and gestational age emphasized the fact that the two groups did not differ from one another.

Atlas and Manual of Dermatology and Venereology.

This thin volume is distinguished by its magnificent illustrations (99 in color, 88 black and white)—a joy for one with appreciation of excellence in medical illustration. As the title indicates, the volume concisely surveys the field of dermatology. It does not serve as a reference work for the physician with a background in dermatology. A number of skin diseases of childhood are illustrated though the pediatrician will be disappointed that the coverage is not complete. The quality of the illustrations alone, however, justifies ownership of the book.

Diagnosing hyaline membrane disease.

OF THE BABIES WHO ARE born alive, about 2 percent die during the neonatal period. Around one third of the deaths of these infants result from hyaline membrane disease. In spite of this, the disease may not always be fatal. Estimates of the fatality rate vary from 20 percent to 60 percent. These figures mean that from 1 to 4 percent of all live-born infants with the capability for survival are afflicted with hyaline membrane disease or that, in 1958, in the United States 200,000 to 600,000 infants suffered from the disor-