Cause Of Birth Research Articles

The effect of yoga movements in reducing complaints symphysis pubis dysfunction in pregnancy

<p><strong>Background: </strong><em>The incidence of Section Caesarea (SC) based on the results of the 2018, states that the highest prevalence is in the DKI Jakarta area with a </em>percentage <em>reached 31.3% while the Papua region </em>percentage is <em>only 6.7%. It is known that the causes of birth with CS include, a narrow pelvis, disproportion of the fetal head, malposition of the fetus, and disorders of the descent of the fetal head which often cause complaints of symphysis pubis dysfunction </em>(SPD). <em>Every pregnant woman needs to empower herself to increase her self-confidence in facing the pregnancy process until before delivery. Several studies have stated that practicing yoga during pregnancy can reduce pregnancy complaints. During the Covid-19 pandemic, pregnant women were limited to doing activities outside the home. In this case, independent yoga media is needed that is safe, easy to understand, and as a guide for pregnant women, both in the form of videos, flashcards, spin cards, and picture cards of practical yoga movements.</em></p><p><strong><em>Objectives</em></strong><strong>: </strong><em>To find out the effectiveness of yoga movements in dealing with complaints of symphysis pubis dysfunction in pregnancy.</em></p><p><strong>Methods: </strong><em>This research method uses quasi-experimental research with a one-group pre-test design which reveals a causal relationship involving one group of subjects. Respondents consisted of 25 pregnant women entering the third trimester of pregnancy with the inclusion criteria of pregnant women experiencing dysfunction of the symphysis pubis before the intervention. The interventions that will be carried out are measuring pain scales, printing yoga movement cards, teaching, and doing yoga 4 times in 1 month.</em></p><p><strong>Results: </strong><em>It is known that the number of respondents who did yoga before the intervention was mostly in the mild pain category (36%) and moderate (28%). After the intervention, the majority of respondents were in the no-pain category (44%). Respondents with severe pain before intervention (16%) decreased to (8%) post-intervention. The results of statistical tests using the Wilcoxon test obtained p = 0.036 where this value is below 0.05, which means that there is an effect of yoga movements in reducing complaints of symphysis pubis dysfunction in pregnancy.</em></p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong><em>From the results of the research that has been done, it can be concluded that there is an influence of yoga movements in reducing complaints of symphysis pubis dysfunction in pregnancy. There were significant changes in pregnant women before and after the intervention. Therefore pregnant women are encouraged to do yoga regularly to reduce complaints of pregnancy discomfort which can interfere with the delivery process.</em><em></em></p>

Perinatal survival among very preterm singletons born after detection of early-onset fetal growth restriction with or without maternal hypertensive disorders: A population-based study in France

ObjectiveTo investigate the management and survival of very preterm singletons born because of fetal growth restriction (FGR) with or without maternal hypertensive disorders in France. Study designFrom a population-based cohort of very preterm births between 22 and 31 weeks in France in 2011, the study population included all non-anomalous singleton pregnancies delivered because of detected FGR with or without maternal hypertensive disorders. Antenatal detection of FGR was defined as an estimated fetal weight <10th percentile with or without fetal Doppler abnormalities or growth arrest. All fetuses were alive at the time of detection of FGR. Indicators of active perinatal management (antenatal steroids, pre-labor cesarean and birth in level 3 maternity unit) and fetal/neonatal outcomes (terminations of pregnancy (TOP), stillbirths, neonatal deaths and survival to discharge) were compared by gestational age between FGR associated with maternal hypertensive disorders and isolated FGR. ResultsOverall, 398 pregnancies delivered before 32 weeks for FGR associated with hypertensive disorders and 234 for isolated FGR. Active perinatal care was rare before 26 weeks in both groups and about one in five cases associated with maternal hypertensive disorders received steroids and was born by prelabor cesarean compared to none for isolated FGR. Before 25 weeks of gestation age, more pregnancies resulted in TOP when FGR was associated with hypertensive disorders compared to isolated FGR (respectively, 76.2 % vs 28.0 % at 22–23 weeks, P = 0.002 and 57.9 % vs 21.1 % at 24 weeks, P = 0.028) whereas stillbirths were more common among isolated FGR (respectively, 23.8 % vs 72.0 % at 22–23 weeks, P = 0.002 and 36.8 % vs 73.7 % at 24 weeks, P = 0.030). Survival to discharge was higher at any gestational age when the cause of birth was FGR associated with hypertensive disorders compared to isolated FGR. ConclusionThe management and pregnancy outcomes differed when FGR was associated with maternal hypertensive disorders or isolated. The proportion of TOP was higher when FGR was associated with hypertensive disorders and the proportion of stillbirths was higher in isolated FGR.

Some opportunistic infections in the structure of premature birth causes

Aim. To determine the structure and detection rate of some opportunistic infections in premature birth.Materials and methods. The study was carried out at the premises of the Research Institute of Maternity and Childhood Protection and the Pathology Department of the Khabarovsk Perinatal Center. We studied 62 placentas from women whose pregnancy ended prematurely and placentas and organ samples (heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys) from 14 premature infants who died in the early neonatal period. Thirty placentas of women who delivered full-term live babies were classified as a control group. Genomes of Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Ureaplasma species (Ureaplasma urealyticum + Ureaplasma parvum), Cytomegalovirus, Herpes simplex virus, Human herpesvirus 4 type, Human herpesvirus 6 type, Parvovirus B19, Listeria monocytogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus species, Streptococcus pyogenes, Haemophilus influenza, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Candida albicans were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in samples of placental tissue and samples of internal organs of deceased newborns. Results. The rate of opportunistic agent detection in the placentas from women with preterm birth made 59.6% and in the sectional material from premature newborns who died in the early neonatal period (78.6%), which figures exceeded the same indicator in the control group (30.0%) respectively, by 2.0 (p=0.007) and 2.6 (p=0.002), respectively. In 47.9±7.2% of cases of all positive results, the material from women with preterm birth presented with various combinations of two, three, and four infectious agents, having common pathogenic links, which contributes to the aggravation of pathogenic processes, comorbidity or multimorbidity. According to the detection rates, in terms of total monoinfections and mixed infection components, pathogens detected during preterm birth were distributed as follows: U. urealyticum ‒ 34,2±5,4%; S. agalactiae ‒ 17,1±4,3%; M. hominis ‒ 15,8±4,1%; S. species (S. sanguis, S. salivarius, S. mitis, S. mutans) ‒ 13,1±3,8%; Cytomegalovirus ‒ 11,8±3,7%; Human herpesvirus 4 type – 9,2±3,3%; M. genitalium ‒ 2,6±1,8%. Conclusion. PCR testing showed that placentas from women whose pregnancy ended prematurely and samples of placenta and organs of premature infants who died in the early neonatal period presented with opportunistic agents colonizing female genital tract (streptococci, mycoplasmas) or ubiquitous herpesviruses persistent and reproduced in human lymphocytes (Cytomegalovirus, Human herpesvirus 4 type). Associations of microorganisms that cause comorbidity or multimorbidity account for a significant portion of the infectious agents detected. The context for a microbiota-integrated opportunistic agent to transform into a pathogenic strain, identification of transformation predictors, and possible tools to correct the disorders – all these require further research.

TIRUMANTIRATTIL UPATĒCAM [PREACHINGS IN THIRUMANDIRAM

Thirumoolar has written Thirumandiram under 9 Tantras based on 9 agamas. (It is said that there were originally 28 agamas and only 9 were taught to Tirumular by his Guru) First 4 tantrams of Tirumandiram explains Aram, Porul, Inbham and Veedu (together known as Nan-marai - Tamil vedam) The other portion describe the way of worship, based on the agamas. It is enough if we remember that Agamas and Tamil vedas are known as Arumarai explaining the philosophy. Those explaining the way of worship and also praising that Supreme Power are Tirumurai. Tirumandiram is both Arumarai and Tirumurai. Herein an attempt has been made to understand the contents of a few of the verses of that great work: Pathy-Pasu-Pasam is the crux of Saivite philosophy. Pathy represents the Supreme, Pasu represents the Jeeva and Pasam represents ego, karmam and maya. Pathy is anadhy i.e. beginingless and also eternal. Pasu and Pasam have also no beginning but they have an end in the sense that ultimately, they become one with Pathy. Ego is the cause of birth. This study tries to attempt the Preaching of Thirumantra. Library research was done and explanatory method was adopted for this study. Findings of this study was having taken birth one should meditate Panchaksharam thereby he attains the stage of Sivayogi. "Chetthiruppar Sivayogiargal" - they are with the physical body, apparently dead. They (Sivayogiargal) outlive non-understanding and mis-understanding (avaranam and vikshepam) and ego (sense of I and mine) They are awake in the apparent sleep.

A Review on Mansa Ahara as Hetu (cause) in some diseases as described in Brihatrayi.

Ayurveda emphasizes on prevention of disease and maintenance of health through close attention to balance one’s life, right thinking, diet, lifestyle and the use of herbs. The aim of Ayurveda is not only the treatment of diseases but also to provide complete health including both mental and physical. Health of a person depends on the type of food one eats, one’s mental status and one’s lifestyle. Although Food is a very important aspect of one’s life, it is still being neglected at some point of time. Now a days, we are susceptible to many lifestyle disorders like diabetes, obesity ,thyroid as we are not eating balanced diet or we are not able to lead a balanced Lifestyle. According to Ayurveda, Ahara nourishes the mind, body and soul and hence, Ahara is one of the three Upstambhas (Pillars) of Life in Ayurveda. Diet includes everything what we eat or drink. It is the cause of very existence. Energy, Color and Ojasa (Saar tatva of all Sharira Dhatus i.e. body tissues of every Living being on this earth).Diet is cause of birth, maintenance and destruction of all forms of Life on this earth. Hence, we can say that Diet helps us to acquire constant or unhampered growth, energy, well-being-Health, color, proper functioning of Indriyas (sense organs). Improper or unhealthy diet leads to deterioration of health. In this review article, mansa yoga (food prepared with mansa) has been described and if they are not taken properly and in proper way, they may be the cause of certain diseased conditions. This literary study is basically based on the description of Mansa Yoga in all the three samhitas (i.e. Brihatrayi). In these Samhitas, it has been mentioned that if Mansa Yoga is not taken in a proper way, they may lead to certain diseased condition. It has been tried to go through these Samhitas thoroughly and the references has been brought to the light where Mansa Yoga has been mentioned as the cause of certain diseases. Further, the discussion has been done in order to explain these references and later, a conclusion has been made in this Literary study.

The Point of Contact Between Auxiliary Acts and the Right Act for Birth in Amida’s Pure Land in Sekisen Sōei’s Interpretation of Shinran’s Teaching

In this paper the issue of the right cause for birth in Amida Buddha’s Pure Land is investigated through Sekisen Sōei’s 石泉僧叡 (1762–1826) interpretation of Shinran’s teaching. Sōei insists that the basic cause for birth in the Pure Land is the working of Amida’s compassionate Vow which manifests itself outwardly as nembutsu and inwardly as shinjin (faith). Thus, if shinjin is the right cause for birth in the Pure Land, nembutsu should also be the right cause. Thus nembutsu as the right cause is to be equated with shinjin as the right cause for birth in the Pure Land. In this way his claim is that the two phases in Shinran’s view of shinjin and nembutsu are maintained by the one element of the working of Amida’s Vow.

The cause of birth is associated with neonatal prognosis in late preterm singletons

IntroductionRecent studies have shown that the cause of very preterm births may be related to neonatal morbidity and mortality. Even though these risks are lower among late preterm births, this group accounts for the vast majority of all preterm births. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relation of neonatal morbidity and mortality to the cause of late preterm birth. Materials and methodsThis retrospective observational cohort study included all women who gave birth to liveborn singletons from 34 to 36 weeks+6 days of gestation in a French level III maternity hospital in the 5-year period 2013–2017. The causes of preterm delivery were divided into 6 mutually exclusive groups. The main outcome was a composite neonatal morbidity criterion, defined by at least one among the following criteria: neonatal respiratory distress, neurological complications, neonatal sepsis, severe necrotizing enterocolitis, and neonatal hypoglycemia. We analyzed the association between cause of preterm delivery and neonatal morbidity after adjustment for gestational age and antenatal corticosteroid therapy. The reference group was preterm labor, defined by spontaneous preterm labor with intact membranes. ResultsDuring the study period, there were a total of 27 110 births, including 1114 singleton births at 34 to 36 weeks of gestation + 6 days (4.1%). Among the 968 late preterm births included, the risk of neonatal morbidity in the group with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) was similar to that in the preterm labor (reference) group: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.2 (95% CI, 0.8-1.8). All the other causes of late preterm birth were associated with a higher risk of neonatal morbidity than the reference group: aOR 2.0 [95% CI, 1.1–3.5] for hypertensive disorders without suspected fetal growth restriction (FGR) (9.1% of cases), aOR 2.4 [95% CI, 1.4–4.2] for hypertensive disorders with suspected FGR (8.9%), aOR 4.2 [95% CI, 2.2-8.0] for suspected FGR without hypertensive disorders (5.8%), and aOR 4.4 [95% CI, 2.2-8.8] for vaginal bleeding related to abnormal placental insertion (4.7%). ConclusionAmong infants born from 34 to 36 weeks + 6 days of gestation, PPROM and preterm labor had similar risks of neonatal morbidity, while the other causes were associated with a risk of neonatal morbidity at least twice that with preterm labor.

Pre- and Post- birth Causes of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignancy of lymphoid progenitors in bone marrow, peripheral blood, and extra medullar, which accounts for 1/4 of childhood cancers. Objectives: Regarding the uncertainties of the exact causes of the disease and the importance of identifying risk factors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, this study aimed at investigating the causes of pre- and post - natal birth in children with ALL. Methods: This case - control study was performed on 156 patients with ALL and 85 patients without ALL in a 4 - year period in Ali Asghar, Shahid Faghihi, and Shahid Motahari Hospitals in Shiraz, Iran between January 2013 and March 2017. The student’s t and Chi - square tests were used. To evaluate relationships between various variables, Pearson’s or Spearman’s correlation analyses were used. The data were analyzed, using the SPSS 16 software. Results: Based on the findings of this study, the presence of Dawn’s syndrome and familial history of leukemia and brain tumors were identified as risk factors for the incidence of ALL in children. There was no significant relationship with the history of abortion, radiation exposure, economic status, place of residence, birth rate, etc. Conclusions: The results indicate that among pre- and post - birth causes, the presence of Down syndrome and familial history of leukemia and brain tumors were as risk factors for the incidence of ALL in children‏. Due to the fact that therapeutic protocols are useful for the treatment of ALL in children, the results of this study and similar studies can be effective in preventing and managing the disease in children.

HAND1 loss-of-function mutation contributes to congenital double outlet right ventricle.

Congenital heart defects(CHDs), a wide variety of developmental abnormalities in the structures of the heart and the great thoracic blood vessels, are the most common form of birth defect in humans worldwide. CHDs are accountable for substantial morbidity and are still the leading cause of birth defect‑related deaths. Recent studies have demonstrated the pivotal roles of genetic defects in the pathogenesis of CHDs, and a great number of genetic mutations have been associated with CHDs. Nevertheless, CHDs are a genetically heterogeneous disorder and the genetic basis underlying CHDs in an overwhelming majority of cases remains unclear. In the present study, the coding exons and flanking introns of the heart and neural crest derivatives expressed transcript1(HAND1) gene, which encodes a basic helix‑loop‑helix transcription factor crucial for cardiovascular development, were sequenced in 158unrelated patients with CHDs, and a denovo heterozygous mutation, p.K132X, was identified in a patient with double outlet right ventricle(DORV), aswellas ventricular septal defect. The nonsense mutation, which was predicted to produce a truncated HAND1 protein lacking 84carboxyl‑terminal amino acids, was absent in 600control chromosomes. Functional analyses revealed that the HAND1 K132X mutant had no transcriptional activity. Furthermore, the mutation disrupted the synergistic activation between HAND1 and GATA binding protein4(GATA4), another cardiac core transcription factor causally linked to CHDs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the association of HAND1 loss‑of‑function mutation with an enhanced susceptibility to DORV in humans. These findings expand the phenotypic spectrum linked to HAND1 mutations, suggesting potential implications for the development of novelo prophylactic and therapeutic strategies for DORV.

『教行信証』「行文類」両重因縁釈の一考察

This study examines the concept of “practice” in Shinran’s 親鸞 thought. In this essay, I focus my study on Shinran’s interpretation of the twofold analysis of the cause of birth in the Gyōmonrui 行文類 of the Kyōgyōshinshō 教行信証, in which he demonstrates his understanding of Pure Land practice from the two perspectives of the three dharma gates (teaching, practice, and realization) and the four dharma gates (teaching, practice, shinjin 信心, and realization). I conclude that the content of Shinran’s Pure Land Buddhist practice differs according to whether his focus is from the aspect of the true teaching itself or from the aspect of sentient beings who receive it.

An Ex vivo culture model for placental cytomegalovirus infection using slices of Guinea pig placental tissue

Congenital infection with human cytomegalovirus (CMV) through the placenta is one of the major causes of birth and developmental abnormalities. Guinea pig CMV (GPCMV) causes in utero infection, which makes its animal models useful for studies on congenital diseases. Here, we established an ex vivo culture method for tissue slices prepared from guinea pig placentas and demonstrated that viral spread in the model resembles those in the placenta of GPCMV-infected animals and that the infection is independent of the pentameric glycoprotein complex for endothelial/epithelial cell tropism. Thus, this model affords a useful tool for pathobiological studies on CMV placental infection.

Reducing Fetal Alcohol Exposure in the United States

Fetal alcohol exposure is the leading preventable cause of birth and developmental defects in the United States. Despite a growing body of knowledge about the spectrum of disorders resulting from fetal alcohol exposure, 1 in 9 pregnant women continues to drink alcohol during pregnancy, and a small percentage of pregnant women continues to binge drink. Health care providers do not consistently screen pregnant women for alcohol use, nor do health professionals necessarily know how to counsel pregnant women effectively about the risks of fetal alcohol exposure. In this article, we review the epidemiology of fetal alcohol exposure and discuss current strategies for screening and prevention of fetal alcohol exposure. We also explore the multiple barriers that exist toward reducing alcohol-exposed pregnancies from the patient, provider, and systems perspectives. Finally, we make recommendations for improved clinical and public health strategies to eliminate fetal alcohol exposure in the United States. Obstetricians and gynecologists, family physicians. After completing this CME activity, physicians should be better able to describe rates of fetal alcohol exposure in the United States, describe the demographic characteristics of women at highest risk for fetal alcohol exposure, counsel patients appropriately regarding the risk of poor fetal outcomes in association with fetal alcohol exposure, and understand the barriers to effective counseling about fetal alcohol exposure.

Secular Trends in the National and Provincial Births of New Thalassemia Cases in Iran From 2001 to 2006

Thalassemia is one of the genetic diseases for which there are only a few successful prevention protocols. In this study, we aimed to analyze data for thalassemia newborns in a period of 6 years to find out the geographical distribution of cases, the “high-risk” provinces in Iran, the causes of thalassemia newborn cases, the coverage rate of the prevention programs and the limitations of the thalassemia registration system.To further our aim, an analytic cross-sectional study was designed at the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO), Tehran, Iran. A questionnaire was then prepared to gather data from each of the 30 provincial centers to find out the number and causes of thalassemia births. Furthermore, another questionnaire, to be completed by the physicians in charge, was aimed at gathering data from all 207 thalassemia care centers. We then performed a stratified analysis of the frequency of distributions; the associations among the existing variables were evaluated using the χ2 or Fisher’s exact tests at a 5.0% significance level.According to the findings, from 2001–2006, a total of 2091 thalassemia patients were born. The main causes were: the at-risk couples not using prenatal diagnosis (PND), marriages before the commencement of Iranian prevention plans, unregistered marriages based on religious conventions, among foreign citizens and the existence of some test errors. The causes of birth for 284 (13.6%) of new cases were not documented. There was a statistically significant difference between the five high-risk provinces regarding the proportional causes of thalassemia newborns [Pearson χ2 = 4.549; degree of freedom (df) = 8, p value = 0.0001].Although the plan succeeded in avoiding the annual birth of 826 new cases on average, there is continuing concern that more than 300 new cases were born every year during 2001–2006 and new prevention strategies need to be put into practice. It is highly recommended that focus be put on factors persistently causing the birth of new cases, especially in high-risk areas in which the success rates are lower than 50.0%.

Grande prématurité : évolution de 1994 à 2006

ObjectiveEvaluate the incidence of births before 33 weeks of amenorrhea over a 12-year period and the place of prematurity induced among them. Determine the evolution of various causes of birth prior to that and draw up a detailed inventory. Patients and methodsThis is a retrospective study from 1994 to 2006, concerning mothers who gave birth in the Network Users Association of computerized records in Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology (AUDIPOG) between 22 and 32+6 days of maternity. A total of 3781 deliveries were included. The statistical significance of links between the degree of prematurity (high prematurity/extreme prematurity) and the type of prematurity (induced/spontaneous) or mode of early work in the event of induced prematurity (trigger/prior cesarean work) was determined. The evolution of different etiologies was also studied with a complete inventory in 2006. ResultsWe observed a significant increase in the rate of births before 33SA: it was multiplied by 3 in 12 years and stood at 1.7% of births in 2006. No increase in prematurity induced was observed, but in case of preterm labor induced the number of births by caesarean section increased significantly. Concerning the evolution of etiologies, vaginal and urinary infections decreased the most, followed by fetal malformations. Only multiple pregnancies increased significantly. The principle cause of preterm birth was hypertension. Prior to 28SA, premature births were caused by metrorrhagia and infections at greater levels than 28–32SA. Discussion and conclusionThe growing number of births before 33SA is a serious phenomenon that must be monitored as they are increasingly common in France.

Sex ratio and associated risk factors for 50 congenital anomaly types: Clues for causal heterogeneity

Sex ratio (SR) deviations have been reported for many congenital anomalies, but so far no satisfactory explanation for these deviations has been found. The aim of this study was to detect sex-related differences in the association between risk factors and congenital anomalies, and to relate these differences with possibly underlying causes of birth defects. Between 1982 and 1999, 1,444,646 newborn infants were examined by the Estudio Colaborativo Latino Americano de Malformaciones Congénitas (ECLAMC) network of South American maternity hospitals. Male relative risks were established for 39,425 infants with 50 selected single anomalies. Associations between male sex and risk factors were identified in nonmalformed infants. In malformed infants, sex-related risk differences were established, and the SR of these infants, with and without associated risk factors, were compared. Infants with neural tube defects (NTDs) and intrauterine growth restriction had a lower SR than those with normal growth, while spina bifida without hydrocephaly (SB[sHy]) was the only NTD subtype without a significant female predominance. Multigravidity lowered the SR of SB(sHy) and HPP (HPP) cases. Increased paternal age inverted the SR of cleft lip (CL) with or without cleft palate (CL[P]) cases from male to female. The results indicate etiological differences between high and low SB, a stronger relationship between multigravidity and female sex of the offspring than between multigravidity and a specific congenital anomaly, and a possible involvement of dominant mutations for CL(P), as suggested by the association with increased paternal age.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

1. Helen M. Thackray, MD* 2. Cynthia Tifft, MD, PhD† 1. 2. *Clinical Fellow, Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD. 3. 4. †Chair, Department of Medical Genetics, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC. Objectives After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Describe the signs of fetal alcohol syndrome in the context of in utero exposure to alcohol. 2. Describe the relationship of facial characteristics and neuorobehavioral findings in fetal alcohol syndrome with age. 3. Compare and contrast the neurobehavioral aspects of children who have fetal alcohol syndrome with children who have other diagnoses and similar intelligence quotients. 4. Delineate the causes of fetal alcohol syndrome. Alcohol is the most common human teratogen, but its significant physical and neurobehavioral effects are completely preventable. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) was described initially in case reports by Lemoine in 1968 and Jones and Smith in 1973. It is a pattern of physical, behavioral, and cognitive abnormalities seen in individuals exposed to alcohol in utero. The association between these findings and maternal use of alcohol during pregnancy has been well documented, with studies in both animals and humans suggesting teratogenicity from as little as one binge drinking episode in early pregnancy. The diagnostic criteria are not a result of fetal physical dependence or addiction or the presence of alcohol in the neonate at delivery; rather, they are teratogenic effects caused by in utero exposure to alcohol in the mother’s blood. In 1996, following a congressional mandate that the Institute of Medicine and National Academy of Sciences study FAS and related birth defects, these institutions published a review of the current understanding of FAS and revised the diagnostic criteria. Despite increased awareness of this preventable birth defect, new cases continue to occur in significant numbers and are routinely under-recognized by medical personnel. It is imperative that maternal alcohol use and its sequelae be considered and addressed in daily pediatric practice. The purpose of this article is to review the diagnosis, epidemiology, management, prognosis, and prevention of FAS. FAS represents a …

Small‐for‐Gestational‐Age (SGA) Neonates: A Study of Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis

AbstractThe author examined 68 subjects with normal pregnancy and delivery for blood coagulation and fibrinolysis to determine the cause of birth of small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) neonates.In the umbilical blood, the SGA group showed significant decreases in platelet count, plasminogen and alpha2‐plasmin inhibitor (p &lt; 0.05), as compared with the appropriate‐for‐gestational‐age (AGA) and large‐for‐gestational‐age (LGA) group. In the maternal blood in the third trimester, the SGA‐neonate‐delivery group showed hypercoagulation, inhibition of fibrinolysis and platelet hyperfunction, as compared with the AGA‐ and LGA‐ neonate‐delivery groups. Particularly, prothrombin time significantly decreased (p &lt; 0.002). There was a correlation between prothrombin time of the maternal blood and neonatal birth weight (r = 0.38446, p &lt; 0.01).The above results suggested that these changes in blood coagulation and fibrinolysis had an influence on the decrease in the utero‐placental blood flow, related to the birth of SGA neonates. It was also inferred that prothrombin time of the maternal blood in the third trimester can become a parameter for predicting the birth of a SGA neonate.

Variation in the duration of gestation in the goat

(1) A large series of data on the duration of gestation in the goat has been analysed and the constants calculated.(2) The frequency curve is unimodal and symmetrical, suggesting a single factor or a variety of factors acting simultaneously as the cause for birth.(3) Slight breed differences exist in the duration of gestation in the goat as in other species examined.(4) There is a continuous variation in the duration of gestation with the time of year at which conception occurs. Spring conceptions give shorter gestations than autumn conceptions.(5) There is a distinct difference in the duration of gestation for young and older dams. This is related to the age of the dams and not to the order of the births. Gestation is shorter in the young animal than in the older.(6) In the goat the size of litter has little or no effect on the duration of gestation.(7) Constants for duration of gestation in other species have been obtained. Variability increases with the duration of oestrus and about half the variability in any species with a long oestrous period may be ascribed to this cause.(8) The factors involved in fixing the duration of gestation in the species examined are evidently the same in all cases, and probably culminate in a single agency responsible for terminating gestation.