Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Kjell Haram.
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Preterm delivery is the leading factor causing neonatal mortality and morbidity. We have conducted a PubMed literature search to obtain an update on the etiology, diagnostic problems and therapeutic considerations of preterm delivery. Approximately 5-10% of all births are premature. Preterm labor is associated with preterm rupture of membranes, cervical incompetence, polyhydramnion, fetal and uterine anomalies, infections, social factors, stress, smoking, heavy work and other risk factors. The diagnosis is made on the patients presenting symptoms, clinical findings and of progressive effacement and dilatation of the cervix. Biochemical markers of preterm delivery are of minor importance in daily clinical work. Measurement of the cervix, however, is a practical and valuable tool to predict preterm delivery. Cervical cerclage can be useful in selected cases. Antibiotics may help to prevent preterm labor in cases of known etiologic agents (e.g. preterm rupture of membranes and urinary infection). The use of tocolytic agents such as beta-sympathetic receptor stimulators can be advocated for a few days. There is evidence that their long-term use is not beneficial and could even be harmful to the fetus. Calcium channel blockers (nifedipine) and a new selective oxytocin receptor antagonist, atosiban, appear to be as effective as beta-sympathomimetic drugs on uterine contractions with fewer side-effects. Prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors such as indomethacin may prevent uterine contractions and can be used prior to the 32nd week of pregnancy. A single course of corticosteroid treatment in two doses of 12 mg betamethasone or 6 mg of dexamethasone is important for the prevention of respiratory distress between the 24th and 34th weeks of pregnancy. Multiple doses may be harmful and should be avoided. In these cases management should depend on gestation age (fetal maturity). Uterine contractions after 34 weeks' gestation are not an indication for tocolytic treatment.
BACKGROUND AND METHODS: The paper reviews HIV infection in pregnancy. We have mainly used PubMed for literature searches with focus on risk factors for vertical infection and measures to prevent mother-to-child transmission. RESULTS: The risk of vertical HIV-transmission is greatest when the mother has high levels of viraemia. Antiviral treatment decreases the fetal risk. When the viral load is low, i.e. HIV-RNA below 1000 copies/ml, the risk of infection of the fetus is small; individually adapted antiviral treatment is indicated to obtain this goal. Increased risk of infection of the fetus may occur as a result of vaginal bleeding, amniocentesis, vaginal delivery, the use of scalp electrodes and fetal scalp pH measurement. The use of vacuum extraction and forceps delivery should be avoided if possible. An important factor associated with increased fetal risk is long lasting rupture of the membranes (> 4 hours). INTERPRETATION: Elective delivery by Caesarean section at 38th week, before labour and rupture of the membranes, is advocated. A Caesarean section may, however, cause complications, and vaginal delivery at term may be considered when the viraemia is low (HIV-RNA < 1000 copies/ml). Amniotomy and long-standing rupture of the membranes should be avoided, as should breastfeeding.
BACKGROUND: Large for gestational age fetuses, also called macrosomic fetuses, represent a continuing challenge in obstetrics. METHODS: We review various problems with large for gestational age fetuses. We have performed a literature search, mainly through the database PubMed (includes the Medline database). The clinical problem is discussed from the primary care provider's, the patient's and the obstetrician's point of view. RESULTS: Macrosomia is arbitrarily defined as having a fetal weight of above the 90th percentile, a birth weight of above 4000 g or 4500 g, or a birth weight of over +2 standard deviation of the mean birth weight by gestational age. The diagnosis of macrosomia is difficult, both by palpation and symphysis fundus measurement; even with sophisticated sonographic measures. The combination of biparietal diameter, femur length and abdominal circumference appears to be no better than abdominal circumference alone. INTERPRETATION: Based on the literature, labor should not be induced in nondiabetic pregnancies. The best policy is to await spontaneous birth or to induce labor after 42 weeks completion. A great number of cesarean sections have to be performed to avoid a single case of plexus brachialis paresis resulting from a difficult shoulder delivery. Cesarean section should not be considered in nondiabetic pregnancies unless the estimated fetal weight is above 5000 g. In pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus there are reasons for selective induction of labor if macrosomia is suspected and for cesarean section if the calculated birth weight is above 4000 g. Each department should have a strategy to handle such a situation because the problem with the difficult shoulder delivery cannot be completely avoided. Different procedures of managing difficult shoulder delivery are described.