Biomedical subjects

K R Papke

Publications and source records attributed to K R Papke.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1993

Management of preterm labor and prevention of premature delivery.

Preterm births continue to be the leading cause of perinatal mortality despite efforts to prevent preterm labor. Tocolytic therapy with beta-mimetic drugs was believed to be the solution for preterm labor, but the Canadian Preterm Labor Investigators Group recently reported that the use of ritodrine had no significant beneficial effect. Despite the various methods presently used for the management of preterm labor and prevention of premature delivery, the incidence of preterm birth remains unchanged. Health professionals must remain optimistic, however, and continue to investigate causes, whether they are social or medical, and to seek the unknown. Nursing personnel should play an important role in this area as health promoters and educators of patients. Nurses should also collaborate with other health professionals to determine effectiveness of therapy and the causes of preterm labor. For instance, this author is currently involved in a research project seeking barriers to prenatal care using a questionnaire and reviewing maternal records in order to determine length of labor and its relationship to subsequent preterm labors. The goals of the Year 2000 National Health Objective for low birth weight and infant mortality are not likely to be attained. Prematurity has gained national attention, however, and with public and professional awareness, perhaps this problem will decrease.

Ambulatory Care↗

PubMed1990

The relationship of unwed status to infant mortality.

We studied the impact of unwed status on infant mortality in the state of Iowa, where obstetric and newborn care is readily accessible. Our purpose was to document the extent of the contribution of unwed status to infant mortality and to compare unwed gravidas with their married counterparts. We hoped the comparisons would provide information that could be used for future programs of prevention. Our data encompassed a 10-year period (1977-1986) during which the incidence of infant deaths occurring in offspring of unmarried women was significantly greater than expected. The unwed population commonly consisted of younger, poorly educated, primigravid women who frequently did not seek prenatal care. We suggest that personal factors inherent in this group of women may be more operative than lack of access to perinatal care in determining pregnancy outcome. We believe our data underscore the need to redouble efforts to prevent unintended pregnancy.

Female↗

PubMed1985

Comparing perinatal mortality.

Comparisons of perinatal outcome data among regions or hospitals can be misleading if the risk status of the population served is not considered. Data are presented from two large perinatal centers (Medical Center Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, and University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City, Iowa), which report substantially different institutional neonatal and fetal mortality rates. However, examination of neonatal and fetal mortality by birth weight groupings demonstrates the difference between outcome in the two hospitals to be considerably less than the overall rates might imply. Additional data about the regionalized system of care in Iowa are presented to illustrate why mortality may rise in a referral center and yet be consistent with a salutary effect on perinatal outcome in the region.

Birth Weight↗