British journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
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Br J Obstet Gynaecol · Oct 1990
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialIdiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in pregnancy: a randomized trial on the effect of antenatal low dose corticosteroids on neonatal platelet count.
To determine the efficacy of antenatal low dose oral betamethasone in preventing neonatal thrombocytopenia and/or bleeding in infants of mothers with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). ⋯ Low-dose betamethasone in pregnant women with ITP does not prevent thrombocytopenia or bleeding in their newborn infants.
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Br J Obstet Gynaecol · Feb 1990
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialA randomized comparison of early with conservative use of antihypertensive drugs in the management of pregnancy-induced hypertension.
Two treatment strategies were compared in 155 women with pregnancy-induced hypertension who were also given comprehensive non-pharmacological care. The mean gestation at entry was 28 weeks. As long as the diastolic blood pressure (DBP) remained below 106 mmHg, oxprenolol, or oxprenolol plus dihydralazine, were given to the early treatment group, and matching placebos to the control group. ⋯ Respiratory distress syndrome occurred in four infants in the early treated group and in 10 in the control group; 14 infants in the former group and 26 in the latter were in hospital for more than 10 days (18 vs 35%; 95% CI of difference 4-32%). These results indicate that early antihypertensive treatment with oxprenolol is safe for the fetus and newborn in pregnancy-induced hypertension, but has no advantage over non-pharmacological care in terms of fetal growth. However, it may prevent acute hypertension in late pregnancy and associated fetal distress, and thus reduce the number of caesarean sections.
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Br J Obstet Gynaecol · Aug 1988
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialStudies on the effects of nitrendipine on oxytocin-, angiotensin II- and ergometrine-induced contraction of pregnant human myometrium in vitro.
Calcium channel blockers inhibit myometrial contractility by preventing the increase in intracellular free calcium which follows stimulation. They could thus be useful in treating premature labour. The effect of nitrendipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist, on the contractile response of strips of pregnant human myometrium to oxytocin, angiotensin II (AII) and ergometrine has been examined. ⋯ The initial EC50S for tissues exposed to ergometrine was 3.9 X 10(-8)M. Exposure to nitrendipine blunted the response (ANOVA; P less than 0.001), an effect most marked at low concentrations of ergometrine. The effect of nitrendipine on myometrial responses to the naturally occurring hormones oxytocin and AII supports suggestions of a role for it in inhibiting premature labour.
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Br J Obstet Gynaecol · Jan 1986
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialBladder drainage for caesarean section under epidural analgesia.
Fifty patients undergoing elective caesarean section under epidural analgesia were randomized prospectively to be catheterized with an 'in-out' or an indwelling urethral catheter. Of the patients who had catheterization for the time of surgery alone 44% subsequently required recatheterization, whereas all patients with indwelling catheters voided spontaneously on their removal. The frequency of significant bacteriuria was the same in both groups.
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Br J Obstet Gynaecol · Nov 1984
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialThe use of 16,16-dimethyl-trans delta 2 prostaglandin E1 methyl ester (gemeprost) vaginal pessaries for the termination of pregnancy in the early second trimester. A comparison with extra-amniotic prostaglandin E2.
The use of gemeprost pessaries has been compared in an open randomized trial with the extra-amniotic infusion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) for the termination of pregnancy between 12 and 16 weeks gestation. The success rates were 77% and 79% for the pessary and infusion group respectively, and these rates were unaffected by parity. ⋯ Side-effects, experienced both during treatment and during the 6 weeks after abortion, were similar in both groups. Gemeprost vaginal pessaries are an effective alternative to the extra-amniotic infusion of PGE2 for the termination of pregnancy in the early second trimester.