Biomedical subjects

J C Jennings

Publications and source records attributed to J C Jennings.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1979

Primary dysmenorrhea treated with indomethacin.

Primary dysmenorrhea is a difficult entity to treat, and therapy is usually directed at relieving symptoms. There is some indication that this disorder is caused by an increase in prostaglandin F2alpha. Therefore, logically the treatment may include antiprostaglandin agents. We have studied 32 women with the diagnosis of primary dysmenorrhea in a randomized double-blind fashion using a placebo and indomethacin. Both agents were taken three times a day over four cycles, and therapy was begun two days before the usual onset of pelvic pain. Only two of 16 patients in the placebo group were significantly improved in the four-month treatment cycles while all 16 in the treatment group showed some improvement, 11 having cessation of pain. In the six months following the study period, all patients were given indomethacin. The original treatment group did not change significantly. However, all in the placebo group when switched to indomethacin had some relief, 12 of the 16 showing complete cessation of pain. Gastric irritation was the main side effect and was present in 18% of the treatment group and 12% in the placebo group. Indomethacin appears to effectively relieve primary dysmenorrhea and does not appear to be associated with a high incidence of side effects.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1978

SQ 20,881: effect on eclamptic--pre-eclamptic women with postpartum hypertension.

The renin-angiotensin system has been implicated in the genesis of pre-eclampsia. To avoid fetal toxicity, five women were studied who developed hypertension, proteinuria, and edema in the last trimester of pregnancy and whose BP elevation persisted immediately postpartum. At about 6 hours after delivery the CE enzyme inhibitor (SQ 20,881) was given in incremental doses ranging from 0.25 to 3.0 mg. per kilogram intravenously, before and after diuresis with furosemide, 40 mg. intravenously. BP was measure every 2 minutes and PRA and angiotensin II concentration before treatment, 30 minutes after 0.25 to 0.30 mg. per kilogram, and 30 minutes after 2.0 to 3.0 mg. per kilogram. Echocardiographic assessment of CI and PVR was performed before treatment and after a maximum dose in three patients. Before diuresis, CE blockade had no effect on heart rate, BP, CI, PVR, or PRA, regardless of whether the patient was in positive or negative fluid balance or was sodium loaded or restricted over the preceding 24 hours. Angiotensin II fell by 77 and 10 per cent, respectively, after 0.25 mg. per kilogram was given to two patients, but rose slightly in the other three patients, then fell an average of 46 per cent after 1.0 to 3.0 mg. per kilogram were given. After diuresis, 1.0 mg. per kilogram resulted in a 24 per cent fall in BP which persisted for 3 hours in two patients and a 14 per cent fall which lasted for 30 minutes after 1.0 or 3.0 mg. per kilogram in a third patient. It is concluded that the BP elevation which persists after delivery in certain patients with pre-eclampsia is not angiotensin II dependent.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1977

Hemoglobinopathies in pregnancy.

Sickle cell trait is associated with an increased incidence of asymptomatic bacteriuria, low birth weight infants and premature rupture of membranes. Hemoglobin SS and hemoglobin SC in pregnancy result in significantly increased maternal morbidity and mortality and reproductive wastage. Heterozygous thalassemias in pregnancy carry increased risks but to a lesser degree than hemoglobins SS and SC. Partial exchange transfusion can provide effective prophylaxis for many of the maternal and fetal problems of sickle cell disease.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗