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Biomedical subjects

G E Robinson

Publications and source records attributed to G E Robinson.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Infertility by choice or by nature.

Sexually active women have only recently had the ability to make a conscious decision to delay or refrain from bearing children. This is not only the result of the availability of effective contraceptive methods but also due to attitudinal changes in society and individuals. These reproductive choices may result, for some women, in conflict over the use of contraceptives, and the decision or timing of pregnancy. However, infertility imposed by nature in the form of inability to conceive, miscarriage or stillbirth removes the woman's sense of control over this important aspect of her life and frequently results in severe distress. The psychological issues surrounding these reproductive choices and events are reviewed and discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1988

Anxiety reduction after chorionic villus sampling and genetic amniocentesis.

This study compares anxiety levels in women undergoing prenatal testing by means of chorionic villus sampling versus genetic amniocentesis. Chorionic villus sampling can be performed earlier in a pregnancy (8 to 12 weeks' gestation) but has a higher risk of miscarriage. Randomized to undergo chorionic villus sampling or genetic amniocentesis as part of a trial examining the safety and accuracy of these procedures, the women were studied at four time periods: time 1, before prenatal testing (9 to 12 weeks' gestation); time 2, after the chorionic villus sampling results were received (13 weeks); time 3, before the genetic amniocentesis results were known (18 weeks), and time 4, after all results were known (22 weeks). Although they were still at risk for miscarriage, members of the chorionic villus sampling group showed a sharp drop in anxiety levels immediately after receiving their results. The genetic amniocentesis group remained anxious until the last test time. In summary, prenatal testing by means of chorionic villus sampling resulted in earlier and sustained anxiety reduction.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Thyroid function in psychosis following childbirth.

Postpartum thyroiditis has been suggested as a cause of psychosis following pregnancy. However, 30 hospitalized psychotic postpartum women and 30 control subjects matched for age and time since delivery showed no significant differences in thyroid function or the presence of thyroid antibodies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Psychological adaptation to pregnancy in childless women more than 35 years of age.

Forty-five pregnant childless women with a mean age of 36.6 years (+/- 1.7) were compared with 42 nulliparous pregnant women with a mean age of 26.7 years (+/- 2.8). Initial interviews determined the basic demographic data, the reasons for delaying pregnancy, attitudes to pregnancy, and plans concerning careers. Psychological tests were given to measure anxiety, depression, anger, marital intimacy, sense of autonomy, and role expectations. These psychological tests were applied to all patients at 12 to 16 weeks' gestation and again at 28 to 32 weeks' gestation. The demographic information from the two groups was remarkably similar. Although their ages differed by 10 years, their career goals, their family incomes, reasons for delaying pregnancy, and reasons for now getting pregnant revealed minimal differences. The Maffer Feminine Identity Scale revealed that the younger women held more traditional attitudes toward a woman's roles than the older group. The Sociotrophy-Autonomy Scale indicated that the older women were more independent than the younger pregnant patients. The Symptom Checklist indicated that the older group were less troubled by pregnancy than the control group, and although their level of distress increased as the pregnancy progressed, they remained better adjusted as they entered the last trimester of their pregnancies.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and pregnancy.

Of 74 women previously treated for anorexia nervosa or bulimia, 15 had conceived 23 pregnancies when assessed at follow-up. The status of the eating disorder, course of pregnancy and delivery, infant health, and postpartum adjustment are described. Women in whom eating disorders were in remission at conception had greater maternal weight gain and babies with higher birth weights and 5-minute Apgar scores than women who conceived while they still had symptoms of restricting anorexia nervosa or bulimia. Women who had symptoms of eating disorders at conception also had continuance or worsening of these symptoms during pregnancy and the postpartum year. We recommend delay of pregnancy until the eating disorder is truly in remission.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1986

Postpartum psychiatric disorders.

Postpartum blues, postpartum neurotic depression and puerperal psychoses have distinct clinical features; they affect women in all social classes and in all cultures, and despite numerous studies they have not been linked definitively with any biologic or psychosocial variables. The only possible exception is puerperal psychosis, which emerges much more often in women with a personal or family history of a bipolar affective disorder than in women without, a finding that probably explains the reluctance of some researchers to recognize puerperal psychotic episodes as distinct from psychotic episodes at other times. If postpartum blues last longer than 2 weeks and are disabling they are classified as neurotic depression and warrant treatment, often requiring both psychosocial approaches and psychotropic drug therapy. Antidepressants, major tranquillizers, electroconvulsive therapy and lithium have proved effective in the treatment of postpartum psychoses, depending on the symptoms. Both lithium and diazepam have been reported to cause deleterious side effects on breast-fed infants, and as the side effects of other psychotropic drugs given to a nursing mother are imperfectly understood, bottle feeding seems prudent.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

The rational use of psychotropic drugs in pregnancy and postpartum.

When a pregnant woman or nursing mother requires psychotropic medication, one must consider the effect of such medications on the fetus or baby. The authors review the evidence for teratogenic effects of such drugs given during pregnancy, toxic or withdrawal effects in the newborn and dangers to the breast-fed baby. Suggestions are made for judicious use of psychotropic drugs in pregnant or nursing women.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed1985

Cutaneous adverse reactions to acyclovir: case reports.

Intravenous, oral, and topical formulations of acyclovir have been successful in treating genital herpes. We report on two patients who developed skin reactions while taking acyclovir, which resolved when treatment was stopped.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1985

The changing pattern of sexually transmitted disease in adolescent girls.

When girls aged 15-19 attending a sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) clinic in 1972 and 1982 were studied retrospectively, the prevalence of recognised STDs declined both absolutely and as a proportion of the total women studied. The increased number of attendances was accounted for by "other conditions requiring, or not requiring, treatment." An alternative approach for the classification of these conditions is proposed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Combining motherhood with psychiatric training and practice.

Psychiatric residency or practice is difficult to combine with motherhood. The experiences of 82 women psychiatrists surveyed in the last year (47 residents and 35 staff doctors) are reviewed in a number of related areas--the difficulties of pregnancy, maternity leave, child rearing and the conflicts between motherhood and practicing psychiatry. Part-time residency is explored from both the resident's and hospital's perspective. Suggestions to make practice or residency more compatible with child rearing are discussed. Other issues such as work-based day care, realistic tax credit for child care expenses, and the difficulties of obtaining reliable and good home help and child care are reviewed. There are numerous conflicts for women psychiatrists who work while their children are young and these problems need to be acknowledged and addressed by the profession. It is noteworthy that as well as a supportive spouse and good child care, the attitudes of colleagues and supervisors and the need for good role models were frequently cited as being critical to the success of combining a psychiatric career with motherhood. As more women enter the profession (approximately 50% of psychiatric residents in Canada are now female, and more than 50% of them plan to combine children with their profession at some stage of their career) the need to find creative and workable solutions to these problems becomes more pressing.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1984

Sexually transmitted diseases: an epidemic in adolescent girls?

The prevalence of sexually transmitted disease (STD) in adolescent girls aged 15-19 attending a department of genitourinary medicine was compared for the years 1972 and 1982. Data were obtained from the confidential register using the coding of the clinic returns to the Department of Health (form SBH 60). There were 1373 patients in 1972 and 1799 in 1982, 6.4% and 7% respectively of the total female clinic population. The prevalence of syphilis, gonorrhoea, and infection with Trichomonas vaginalis, herpes simplex virus, and warts was almost unchanged. Other conditions, which are not classified as STD, were largely responsible for the increase in new attendances, the prevalence of these conditions having nearly doubled over the ten year period. Thus an epidemic of STD has not been shown in this adolescent female population over the past decade.

Adolescent↗