British journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
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Br J Obstet Gynaecol · Oct 1990
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialIdiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in pregnancy: a randomized trial on the effect of antenatal low dose corticosteroids on neonatal platelet count.
To determine the efficacy of antenatal low dose oral betamethasone in preventing neonatal thrombocytopenia and/or bleeding in infants of mothers with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). ⋯ Low-dose betamethasone in pregnant women with ITP does not prevent thrombocytopenia or bleeding in their newborn infants.
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Br J Obstet Gynaecol · Oct 1990
Diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy by vaginal ultrasonography in combination with a discriminatory serum hCG level of 1000 IU/l (IRP)
The diagnostic value of vaginal sonography in combination with a discriminatory serum hCG level of 1000 iu/l (International Reference Preparation) was tested prospectively in 200 pregnant women suspected of having an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy was diagnosed in 68 women (34%), a miscarriage in 56 (28%) and a normal pregnancy in 76 (38%). On admission, an intrauterine sac was seen in 89% of the intrauterine pregnancies, but in none of the ectopic pregnancies. ⋯ On admission the hCG level exceeded 1000 iu/l in 77% of all patients and in 67% of those with ectopic pregnancies. In patients with an initial level exceeding 100 iu/l, an intrauterine sac was found in all the intrauterine pregnancies but in none of the ectopic pregnancies. The use of this threshold in combination with sonographic detection of an adnexal mass was diagnostic of ectopic pregnancy with a sensitivity of 97%, a specificity of 99%, a positive predictive value of 98% and a negative predictive value of 98%.
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Br J Obstet Gynaecol · Oct 1990
Comparative StudyThe relative risks of caesarean section (intrapartum and elective) and vaginal delivery: a detailed analysis to exclude the effects of medical disorders and other acute pre-existing physiological disturbances.
To compare maternal mortalities attributable to vaginal delivery, elective caesarean section (CS) and intrapartum CS. ⋯ The attributable relative mortalities of caesarean section compared with vaginal delivery and intrapartum compared with elective caesarean section are lower than the overall relative mortalities of these modes of delivery and are approximately 5:1 and 1.5:1 respectively. These data are crucially important in the decision to recommend elective caesarean section compared with trial of labour.