Biomedical subjects
F H Boehm
Publications and source records attributed to F H Boehm.
Correlation of the one-minute Apgar score and umbilical cord acid-base status.
The one-minute Apgar score has proven useful by ensuring rapid assessment of the neonate, but is often poorly correlated with other indicators of intrauterine well-being. Since fetal asphyxia is directly associated with neonatal acidosis, a low Apgar score in the face of normal pH and base deficit does not indicate an asphyxiated infant. In a study to ascertain the feasibility of combining umbilical artery pH with the one-minute Apgar score for neonatal assessment, umbilical artery pH and Apgar scores were obtained on 212 singleton pregnancies. When the Apgar score was less than 7, more than half (60%) of the neonates had a normal umbilical artery pH. Fifty-one percent of this group had had intubation and nasopharyngeal suctioning, procedures known to be associated with lowered Apgar scores. When reviewing the umbilical artery gas values and base deficit in those neonates with a pH less than 7.20, we found that of the eight patients with an Apgar score of 7 or greater, seven (87.5%) were classified as having metabolic acidosis, with only one having respiratory acidosis. In the neonates with Apgar scores of less than 7, approximately two thirds had blood gas values compatible with metabolic acidosis, while the others displayed respiratory acidosis. We recommend, therefore, that neonates with a one-minute Apgar score less than 7 have umbilical artery pH determinations to confirm the presence or absence of acidosis. We also recommend that when the pH is less than 7.20, a complete set of gas values be evaluated with that specimen. This information offers more precise confirmation of the diagnosis of fetal distress and neonatal asphyxia, both for treatment and more reliable follow-up data, as well as for medicolegal purposes.
Congenital anomalies in offspring of insulin-dependent diabetic mothers.
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Long term management of pregnancy in a comatose patient.
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Improved outcome of twice weekly nonstress testing.
The nonstress test is a commonly used tool for fetal well-being assessment. The antenatal death rate using the nonstress test as a primary modality is significantly higher than that with the use of the contraction stress test. The nonstress test is commonly performed on a once-a-week basis. The rate of stillbirths with reactive nonstress tests, performed once a week, was 6.1 per 1000 in the author's previously published report. Nonstress tests were performed on a twice-a-week basis beginning January 1981, and results are reported on 913 such patients. The rate of stillbirths with reactive nonstress tests was reduced to 1.9 per 1000 in this second group. It is suggested that the patients who are at risk for fetal stress should be evaluated on a twice-a-week basis when the nonstress test is used as the primary test.
Antepartum fetal monitoring in insulin-dependent diabetic pregnancies.
In order to minimize unexplained stillbirths in insulin-dependent diabetic pregnancies, fetal well-being was assessed by antepartum monitoring while development of pulmonary maturity was awaited. Antepartum monitoring consisted of outpatient nonstress tests beginning at 32 weeks' gestation. Fetuses with nonreactive nonstress tests were further evaluated by contraction stress tests and were delivered if tests were positive. With use of this system there were no unexplained stillbirths during management of 119 insulin-dependent diabetic pregnancies. Of 14 infants delivered because of positive contraction stress tests, six were found to have major disorders; the other eight had no major residual neonatal morbidity. Thus this system of antepartum fetal surveillance: eliminated unexplained stillbirths, identified a subgroup of insulin-dependent diabetic pregnancies with a high rate of major fetal abnormalities, and allowed for identification and subsequent timely delivery of the other distressed fetuses that were at a high risk of neonatal morbidity and/or mortality, such that potential long-term adverse outcomes were avoided.
Complication of insulin-dependent diabetic pregnancies by preeclampsia and/or chronic hypertension: analysis of outcome.
The significance of hypertensive complications of insulin-dependent diabetic pregnancies (IDDP) has not been well examined since the early reports of Pedersen, which demonstrated an increased risk of neonatal death in women with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). To assess the effect of both PIH and chronic hypertension (CH) on outcome of IDDP managed using contemporary obstetrical and diabetic management, we reviewed the records of all 199 IDDP delivered at our institution over a 7-year period. Patients were classified as having PIH (Group 1, n = 37), CH (Group 2, n = 18) or both (Group 3, n = 4) on the basis of standard clinical criteria. All other IDDP were placed in the control group (Group 4, n = 140). Comparing all groups, significant differences were found for maternal age (P less than .0001) and distribution among White's Classes (P less than .0001). There was no significant difference in estimated gestational age (EGA) at delivery, birthweight, Apgar scores, hypoglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia, or congenital anomalies. Intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) was no more common in Groups 1, 2 or 3 than in Group 4; however, IDDP with CH were significantly more likely to have had previous stillbirths than IDDP with PIH (P = .011) or control IDDP (P = .017). Contrary to common clinical belief, the "stress" of CH and PIH did not offer protection to the newborn in the development of RDS or HMD. In fact, Group 3 infants had a higher rate of HMD than control infants (P = .024).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Vacuum extraction during cesarean section.
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Diagnostic ultrasonography: certain legal considerations.
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Management of the unanticipated neural tube defect in late pregnancy.
The physician who encounters a patient in late pregnancy with a neural tube defect is presented with a difficult task of management and treatment. A thorough examination of the defect(s) is mandatory. This can be accomplished best with ultrasound examination. It is then imperative to assess the severity and survivability of the fetus, and to counsel properly the patient as to diagnosis, severity, and options available. After discussion with the proper consultants, patients should have considerable input into the management, and should be informed adequately to make an intelligent and proper decision. After careful assessment and thorough consultation and counseling with the patient and her support person, therapy can be initiated, followed by some type of grief counseling with appropriate follow-up. Patients also should be informed as to subsequent risks and what, if anything, could possibly be done to prevent recurrences. By this careful and thorough approach it is hoped that physicians who encounter neural tube defects late in pregnancy will make a considerable difference in the physical as well as the emotional health of the patient.
Continuing neonatal morbidity in infants of women with class A diabetes.
Despite having implemented rigorous glucose control for women with gestational diabetes early in the third trimester, we found excessive morbidity among the neonates of these women. To accurately assess the risk of newborn complications, we did a five-year review (1977 to 1981) of infants of class A diabetic mothers to determine the incidence and scope of morbidity in these infants. Fifty-one infants of class A mothers were identified (group 1) and randomly matched with 102 infants of nondiabetic mothers (group 2). The distribution of morbidity between the two groups was as follows: hypoglycemia 9/51 (18%) vs 0/102 (P less than .001); birth injuries 4/51 (8%) vs 1/102 (2%) (P less than .05); pulmonary edema 3/51 (6%) vs 0/102 (P less than .05); respiratory distress 4/51 (8%) vs 7/102 (7%) (NS); macrosomia 18/51 (35%) vs 23/102 (23%) (NS); and hyperbilirubinemia 3/51 (6%) vs 8/102 (8%) (NS). There were two fetal deaths and three infants with major congenital anomalies among the diabetic pregnancies compared to none from the nondiabetic pregnancies. Compared to insulin-dependent diabetes, class A diabetes is accompanied by relatively mild metabolic disturbances in the mother. On the other hand, the infant of a mother with class A diabetes appears to be at risk for serious and life-threatening complications, both before and after birth. These results raise the question of whether earlier identification, subsequent meticulous diabetic management, and altered timing of delivery might reduce the complications experienced by these infants.
Antepartum diagnosis of fetal intracranial hemorrhage by ultrasound.
Presented is a patient with acute onset of preeclampsia and abruptio placenta at approximately 26 weeks' gestation. Ultrasonography demonstrated evidence of in utero fetal intracranial hemorrhage, which was confirmed at autopsy. The implication of this finding is discussed.
The effect of type of delivery on neonatal outcome in singleton infants of birth weight of 1,000 g or less.
To evaluate the relationship between management of delivery and neonatal outcome in singleton neonates with birth weights between 501 and 1,000 g, a retrospective analysis was performed. In the 54-month period ending June 30, 1981, a total of 109 singleton neonates were born at Vanderbilt University Hospital, Nashville, Tenn, with birth weights between 501 and 1,000 g, 31 weighing 501 through 750 g, and 78 weighing 751 through 1,000 g. The overall neonatal survival rate was 60%, 39% in the group weighing 501 through 750 g and 69% in the group weighing 751 through 1,000 g. In terms of morbidity and mortality, there was no difference between neonates delivered by cesarean section compared with those delivered vaginally. The only significant factor found relating to neonatal mortality was the occurrence of labor. In the 17 newborns delivered without occurrence of labor, the frequency of neonatal death was significantly decreased, although this difference may be caused by differing risk factors in the infants delivered without occurrence of labor. When labor was present and the fetus had a cephalic presentation, cesarean section was not found to be superior to vaginal delivery in terms of neonatal morbidity or mortality for neonates of 1,000 g or less.
Correlation of the one-minute Apgar score and the pH value of umbilical arterial blood.
The one-minute Apgar score, proven useful for rapid assessment of the neonate, is often poorly correlated with other indicators of intrauterine well-being. Fetal asphyxia is directly associated with neonatal acidosis. A low Apgar score in the face of normal pH and base deficit does not, therefore, indicate an asphyxiated infant. We performed a study at Vanderbilt University Hospital to ascertain the feasibility of combining the pH value of umbilical arterial blood with the one-minute Apgar score for neonatal assessment. The pH values and Apgar scores were obtained on 172 singleton neonates. When the Apgar score was less than 7, over one half (56%) of the neonates had a normal pH value. Of this group 46% had undergone intubation and nasopharyngeal suctioning, procedures known to be associated with lowered Apgar scores. We recommend, therefore, that neonates with a one-minute Apgar score of less than 7 be further evaluated with umbilical arterial blood gas studies to ascertain the presence of acidosis and to differentiate between metabolic and respiratory acidosis. More precise confirmation of the diagnosis of fetal distress and neonatal asphyxia, for both treatment and medicolegal purposes, is possible with this information.
Fetal heart rate responses to meperidine alone and in combination with propiomazine.
A study was performed to evaluate the effects of three regimens of intrapartum analgesia upon fetal heart rate characteristics. Either meperidine 50 mg (M50), meperidine 50 mg plus propiomazine 20 mg (M50/P20), or meperidine 25 mg plus propiomazine 10 mg (M25/P10) was given intravenously for intrapartum analgesia to 204 patients in the first stage of labor, and the effects were evaluated upon fetal heart rate variability (FHRV) and fetal heart rate reactivity (FHRR). M25/P10 was found to cause a decrease in FHRV in fewer patients than M50/P20 (13.6% vs 36.5%, P less than .005), while still providing adequate analgesia for most patients. Although M50 also caused a decrease in FHRV in fewer patients than M50/P20 (19.1% vs 36.5%, P less than .05), it produced emesis in 20% of patients. When FHRV was minimal or moderate before the analgesic was given, FHRV became absent in only eight of 222 doses (3.6%). FHRR was lost in fewer patients given M50 than in those given M50/P20 (45% vs 71%, P less than .01); there was no significant difference between M50 and M25/P10. We conclude that the effects of meperidine upon fetal heart rate characteristics are both potentiated by propiomazine, and, when meperidine is given with propiomazine, dose-related. We also conclude that absent FHRV is rarely caused by meperidine; when FHRV becomes absent after meperidine administration, the patient should be fully evaluated for the possibility of fetal distress before the absence of variability is attributed to analgesia.
Improving care of the insulin-requiring pregnant diabetic at a tertiary care center. A preliminary report.
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Can society afford perinatal health care?
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Comparison of aggressive and conservative management of premature rupture of fetal membranes.
A 3-year prospective study was undertaken to compare two types of management of rupture of the fetal membranes between 26 and 34 weeks. Patients in whom amniotic fluid, obtained by amniocentesis, was shown to have no evidence of infection, and who had less than mature lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratios, were given steroids and, if needed, treated with tocolytic agents. Patients in whom no amniotic fluid could be obtained were not given steroids, but were managed expectantly. Only patients with rupture of membranes greater than or equal to 24 hours were included in the collection of data. Despite the aggressive treatment protocol of the steroid group, no significant difference was found between the two groups in the prevalence of respiratory distress, hyperbilirubinemia, patent ductus arteriosus, episodes of apnea and bradycardia, or necrotizing enterocolitis. Perinatal mortality rates were similar in the two groups, and no difference in the incidence of maternal or neonatal infectious complications was found.