PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Nils-Halvdan Morken

Publications and source records attributed to Nils-Halvdan Morken.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Corticosteroids in the treatment of HELLP-syndrome?].

BACKGROUND: Haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet (HELLP) syndrome is a severe form of preeclampsia. It is often manifested clinically by elevated blood pressure, proteinuria and abdominal pain. Women diagnosed with the HELLP-syndrome normally show evidence of recovery within the first 48 hours after delivery. There is however a small group of patients in which no arrest or reversal of the HELLP process can be seen after 72 hours post partum. These patients have a high incidence of maternal morbidity and mortality. Several studies have shown benefits to HELLP patients after administration of corticosteroids. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have reviewed the literature for this treatment and present a case report as illustration. PubMed/Medline was searched with the key words "HELLP and corticosteroids" from 1990 to 2006. We have chosen to review the prospective and randomised studies. RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION: None of the studies show statistically significant differences in maternal morbidity or mortality by administering corticosteroids to patients with HELLP syndrome. Treatment can give a faster increase in the platelet count for patients with platelets < 50 (10(9)/L), but larger trials are needed to support the use of corticosteroids for treatment of HELLP-syndrome.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2006

Fetal growth and onset of delivery: a nationwide population-based study of preterm infants.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to assess whether deviations from normal fetal growth are associated with spontaneous preterm delivery. STUDY DESIGN: A population-based study was performed, using Swedish Medical Birth Register data from 1991 through 2001. The total population comprised 1,007,648 singleton births. Intrauterine-derived growth standards were used to identify individual standard deviation (SD) from expected birth weight. Spontaneous preterm infants were compared with infants born after spontaneous labor at term. Results were obtained by using multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Associations between smaller than population mean and spontaneous preterm birth were evident for all gestational age groups. The largest risk was found at 28 to 31 gestational weeks and birth weight less than -3 SD (OR: 13.3; 95% CI: 10.3-17.2). Spontaneous preterm infants born at 34 to 36 gestational weeks weighed 1 to 1.9 SD (OR: 1.1; 95% CI: 1.1-1.2) or 2 to 2.9 SD (OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.5-1.7) above the expected mean more often. CONCLUSION: Deviation of fetal growth from the expected mean is associated with spontaneous preterm delivery.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Preterm birth in Sweden 1973-2001: rate, subgroups, and effect of changing patterns in multiple births, maternal age, and smoking.

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this report are to evaluate changes in the preterm birth rate in Sweden 1973-2001. Furthermore, describe the proportion of spontaneous and indicated preterm births and assess risk factors for the subgroups of preterm birth during the period from 1991 to 2001. METHODS: A population-based register study of all births occurring in Sweden from 1973 to 2001 registered in the Swedish Medical Birth Register was designed. The analysis of subgroups was restricted to the period 1991-2001. Gestational age was calculated using last menstrual period and best estimate. Odds ratio for preterm birth related to risk factors was calculated for the subgroups' spontaneous and indicated preterm birth. RESULTS: After an increase in the beginning of the 1980s, the preterm birth rate has decreased from 6.3% in 1984 to 5.6% in 2001 (P < 0.0001). The proportion of multiple births born preterm of the total birth rate increased from 0.34% in 1973 to 0.71% in 2001 (P < 0.0001). Spontaneous preterm births account for 55.2% and iatrogenic preterm births for 20.2% of all preterm births. The strongest association with maternal smoking in early pregnancy was found at gestational age <28 weeks and spontaneous preterm birth [odds ratio (OR) smoking versus no smoking: 1.55, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.42-1.69]. The strongest association for maternal age was found between gestational age <28 weeks and indicated preterm birth (OR 5-year increase: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.21-1.47). CONCLUSIONS: The preterm birth rate in Sweden has decreased since the mid 1980s. The composition of different subtypes of preterm birth in a Scandinavian low-risk population seems to be similar to populations with higher incidence of preterm birth and perinatal infections.

Adult↗