Moneta E

Respiratory function during pregnancy

We studied the respiratory mechanics, acid-base status, alveolar ventilation and ventilatory response to hypercapnia in pregnant women at the first and third trimesters and postpartum. We found alveolar hyperventilation and hypersensitivity of the respiratory centers to carbon dioxide with no significant differences between the first and third trimesters. After delivery we found a sudden decrease in these parameters. The changes seem to be due to a direct primary (probably hormonal) stimulation on the medulla oblongata and cannot be correlated to the metabolic needs of the fetus and are aimed at favoring placental gas exchanges, especially at the beginning of the pregnancy, when the fetal cardiovascular system is not yet developed.

A prostaglandin analogue (ONO-802) in treatment of missed abortion, intrauterine fetal death and hydatiform mole: a dose-finding trial

Forty-eight patients affected with missed abortion, intrauterine fetal death and hydatiform mole were treated with vaginal suppositories containing 1 mg of 16,16-dimethyl-trans-delta 2-PGE1 methyl ester (ONO-802). The patients were divided into two treatment groups. The first, Group A, was given one vaginal suppository every 3 h to a maximum of five suppositories. The product of conception was expelled in 95.8% of patients. In Group B the maximum number of suppositories was reduced to three. The product of conception was expelled in 100% of cases and the average duration of treatment was similar to that for the first group. Although side-effects were mild in both groups, they were reduced in the patients of Group B.

Neonatal diagnosis of antithrombin III congenital defect in a premature newborn

N,/N,, = 7 t f T This demonstrates that Eq. ( 1 ) takes account of loss by ageing, and it must be a mistake to introduce another term for the same purpose. We very much appreciate the opportunity to reply to Professor Dornhorsts letter. The derivation of the equation describing the population survival function for labelled red cells which he details in his letter is absolutely correct. This justifies the ICSH formula that we disputed in our recent letter. We have reviewed our mathematics and have discovered the algebraic errors which resulted in an erroneous alternative formula. Rather than our equation (4) which is an improperly scaled expression for the cahort siirvival function for red cells eliminated by the random process. the correct popukttiari survival function for these red cells is