Jan Martin Maltau

Reference ranges for serial measurements of blood velocity and pulsatility index at the intra‐abdominal portion, and fetal and placental ends of the umbilical artery

To construct reference ranges for serial measurements of umbilical artery (UA) blood flow velocity and pulsatility index (PI) at standardized insonation sites during the second half of pregnancy.

Major congenital heart disease in Northern Norway: shortcomings of pre- and postnatal diagnosis.

Background.  Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a significant cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Prenatal detection rate of CHD remains low in most European countries and a substantial proportion of infants with serious heart disease are diagnosed only after discharge from hospital after birth. Earlier recognition of treatable abnormalities may improve the perinatal outcome. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence, pre‐ and postnatal diagnosis and outcome of major CHD in two northern‐most counties of Norway.

RETINAL HAEMORRHAGES IN THE NEWBORN

The present study shows the frequency and severity of retinal haemorrhages in 200 newborn, of which 100 were delivered spontaneously, 51 delivered by vacuum extractor and 49 by forceps. The incidence of retinal haemorrhages was highest in the vacuum group (50%), lowest in the forceps group (16%), while the spontaneously delivered children showed an incidence of 41%.

Role of routine ultrasonography in monitoring the outcome of medical abortion in a clinical setting

Background.  Clinical methods generally used to evaluate the completeness of medical abortion are not accurate. There are no published reports evaluating the role of routine ultrasonography in monitoring the outcome of medical abortion. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether routine transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) at the follow‐up visit after medical abortion can accurately identify women who will require surgical intervention.

Laser doppler-recorded reactive hyperaemia in the forearm skin during the menstrual cycle

Objective By means of laser Doppler flowmetry to describe the changes in resting microvascular perfusion and post‐occlusive reactive hyperaemia in skin of the forearm and finger pulp throughout the menstrual cycle.

Doppler-derived umbilical artery absolute velocities and their relationship to fetoplacental volume blood flow: a longitudinal study

To construct reference ranges for serial measurements of the umbilical artery (UA) absolute blood flow velocities in the second half of pregnancy and to test the hypothesis that significant associations exist between UA velocities and placental volume blood flow assessed from umbilical vein blood flow velocities and diameter.

Catheter‐directed thrombolysis for the management of postpartum deep venous thrombosis

Background.  Catheter‐directed thrombolysis that removes the thrombus and restores patency of the veins appears to be a safe and effective management of acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT). It has been shown to reduce long‐term postthrombotic morbidity and improve the quality of life. Pregnancy and the postpartum period are generally considered as contraindications for thrombolysis. However, catheter‐directed thrombolytic therapy of DVT may reduce long‐term sequelae in these young patients by restoring the patency of veins. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy of catheter‐directed thrombolysis in treating acute symptomatic postpartum DVT.

Umbilical vein constriction at the umbilical ring: a longitudinal study

It has been suggested that constriction of the umbilical vein (UV) at the umbilical ring has hemodynamic effects. We aimed to determine the occurrence and extent of such constriction in serial observations.

Effects of betamethasone on plasma levels of estriol, cortisol and hcs in late pregnancy

Abstract. The effect of a single dose of betamethasone on the maternal plasma concentration of estriol and Cortisol was studied. The concentration of estriol decreased rapidly. A maximal suppression of about 70 per cent was seen after 6‐24 hours. A similar influence on the maternal plasma concentration of Cortisol was observed. HCS (human chorionic somatomammotropin) was not influenced by betamethasone. These facts have to be taken into consideration after treatment with synthetic corticosteroids in high risk pregnancies.

Retinal Hemorrhages in the Preterm Neonate

Abstract. The incidence and magnitude of retinal hemorrhages (RH) in a group of 23 preterm infants (29–35 weeks) born spontaneously in vertex presentation have been compared with those of 23 others (28‐35 weeks) born by gentle extraction with small forceps. Distribution to the groups was random. The overall frequency of RH in both groups together was low, 6%, with no statistically significant difference between the groups. No fundi with severe (grade III) hemorrhages were seen. Both the incidence and magnitude of RH were less in the preterm neonates when compared with previously reported figures in term infants born spontaneously or with forceps extraction. The study provides further evidence in support of the hypothesis that fetal head compression with venous congestion is the main cause of RH in the newborn.