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Vulvar fluorescence in normal and abnormal pregnancy
SELECTED ABSTRACTS
458
.\rn. ]. Obst. & Gynec. August, 195J
Pregnancy, Complications Oha.udhuri, 8.: Vitamin B12 in Megaloblastic Anemia of Pregnancy and Tropical Nutritional Ma.crocytic .Anemia., Brit. M:. J. 2: 825, 1951. 'l'his report describes the hematological re~ponses of 16 patients admitted to the hospital with mebaloblastic anemia of pregnancy and 5 patients with tropical megaloblastic anemia treated with vitamin B, 2• Five of the patients were pregnant (last tri, mester of pregnancy). Eleven were parturient less than three months, 9 within 15 days of delivery. Treatment was instituted after the first blood examination. Vitamin B, was administered intramuscularly in 20 p.g doses either every other day or evel'y fifth day depending on the status of the patient. Daily dosages ranged from 4 to 11 p.g. Patients were treated from 12 to 54 days. The vitamin was discontinued when the blood findings became stationary. Reticulocytosis occurred in all cases after treatment and varied from 3.5 to 25 per cent. Mean hemoglobin, red blood cell count, and cell volume of these patients before treatment were 4.0 Gm. per 100 ml., 1.35 million per cubic millimeter, and 13.1 per cent; after treatment they were 9.8 Gm., 3.6 million, and 28.7 per cent, respectively. 'rhe total proteins before treatment were low in all cases, with a low albumin and high globulin in many cases. In these there was generally an inverted A/G ratio. One patient with the minimum reticulocyte response was subsequently treated with parenteral folic acid to which she responded rapidly. Dosage of vitamin B12 required for response is estimated as ranging from 4 to 10 p.g per day, depending on the severity of the case. Higher doses are required during pregnancy. From this and other evidence the conclusion is reached that "vitamin B12 is effective in most cases of tropical megalo· blastic anemia and megaloblastic anemia of pregnancy and the puerperium, but that the tloRage is higher than that needed in Addisonian perniciou~ anemia.''
Campbell, 1953.
w. A. B.:
In1luenza. in Early Pregnancy. E1fects on the Foetus, Lancet 1: 173,
A fairly severe epidemic of influenza (A·prime) occurred in Northern Ireland in December and January, 1950-1951. A survey was subsequently made to include mothers att.ending the antenatal clinics of the Belfast City Hospital, the Royal Maternity Hospital, and the maternity and child-welfare service of Belfast Corporation. Nine hundred eightynine births were studied; 164 occurred in mothers who had had influenza during the first 4 months of pregnancy. The others served as controls. All malformations were carefully studied and. it was concluded that influenza in the early months of pregnancy did not add to the risk of stillbirth or fetal abnormality. R.
GORDON DOUGLAS.
Benson, Balph 0., md Chappell, Oli1ford o.: VUlvar Fluorescence in Normal md Abnormal Pregnmcy, Surg., Gynec. & Obst. 95: 102, 1952. The authors relate their experience with fluorescence studies among 200 women in whom there was clinical evidence of pregnancy, possible pregnancy, or recent pregnancy. Whenever possible, serial observations were recorded. The basic intrinsic and extrinsic colors of vulvar fluorescence, and their changing pattern, can be demonstrated successfully in near darkness with any of several portable ultraviolet lamps now available, fitted with either a Corning 5874 or Kopp 41 :filter, employing either a General Electric or Westinghouse No. CH4 mercury vapor lamp. Elimination of other light and dark adaptation is required of the observer. The characteristic color changes for pregnancy and the puer· perium are described. In cases of abortion the color change characteristic of pregnancy is lost after the fourth or fifth day following interruption. It is suggested that vulvar :duorescence may be used as a guide for therapy when abortion is threatened. The authors indicate the desirability of further study of vulvar fluorescence. L. M:. RANDALL.
458
.\rn. ]. Obst. & Gynec. August, 195J
Pregnancy, Complications Oha.udhuri, 8.: Vitamin B12 in Megaloblastic Anemia of Pregnancy and Tropical Nutritional Ma.crocytic .Anemia., Brit. M:. J. 2: 825, 1951. 'l'his report describes the hematological re~ponses of 16 patients admitted to the hospital with mebaloblastic anemia of pregnancy and 5 patients with tropical megaloblastic anemia treated with vitamin B, 2• Five of the patients were pregnant (last tri, mester of pregnancy). Eleven were parturient less than three months, 9 within 15 days of delivery. Treatment was instituted after the first blood examination. Vitamin B, was administered intramuscularly in 20 p.g doses either every other day or evel'y fifth day depending on the status of the patient. Daily dosages ranged from 4 to 11 p.g. Patients were treated from 12 to 54 days. The vitamin was discontinued when the blood findings became stationary. Reticulocytosis occurred in all cases after treatment and varied from 3.5 to 25 per cent. Mean hemoglobin, red blood cell count, and cell volume of these patients before treatment were 4.0 Gm. per 100 ml., 1.35 million per cubic millimeter, and 13.1 per cent; after treatment they were 9.8 Gm., 3.6 million, and 28.7 per cent, respectively. 'rhe total proteins before treatment were low in all cases, with a low albumin and high globulin in many cases. In these there was generally an inverted A/G ratio. One patient with the minimum reticulocyte response was subsequently treated with parenteral folic acid to which she responded rapidly. Dosage of vitamin B12 required for response is estimated as ranging from 4 to 10 p.g per day, depending on the severity of the case. Higher doses are required during pregnancy. From this and other evidence the conclusion is reached that "vitamin B12 is effective in most cases of tropical megalo· blastic anemia and megaloblastic anemia of pregnancy and the puerperium, but that the tloRage is higher than that needed in Addisonian perniciou~ anemia.''
Campbell, 1953.
w. A. B.:
In1luenza. in Early Pregnancy. E1fects on the Foetus, Lancet 1: 173,
A fairly severe epidemic of influenza (A·prime) occurred in Northern Ireland in December and January, 1950-1951. A survey was subsequently made to include mothers att.ending the antenatal clinics of the Belfast City Hospital, the Royal Maternity Hospital, and the maternity and child-welfare service of Belfast Corporation. Nine hundred eightynine births were studied; 164 occurred in mothers who had had influenza during the first 4 months of pregnancy. The others served as controls. All malformations were carefully studied and. it was concluded that influenza in the early months of pregnancy did not add to the risk of stillbirth or fetal abnormality. R.
GORDON DOUGLAS.
Benson, Balph 0., md Chappell, Oli1ford o.: VUlvar Fluorescence in Normal md Abnormal Pregnmcy, Surg., Gynec. & Obst. 95: 102, 1952. The authors relate their experience with fluorescence studies among 200 women in whom there was clinical evidence of pregnancy, possible pregnancy, or recent pregnancy. Whenever possible, serial observations were recorded. The basic intrinsic and extrinsic colors of vulvar fluorescence, and their changing pattern, can be demonstrated successfully in near darkness with any of several portable ultraviolet lamps now available, fitted with either a Corning 5874 or Kopp 41 :filter, employing either a General Electric or Westinghouse No. CH4 mercury vapor lamp. Elimination of other light and dark adaptation is required of the observer. The characteristic color changes for pregnancy and the puer· perium are described. In cases of abortion the color change characteristic of pregnancy is lost after the fourth or fifth day following interruption. It is suggested that vulvar :duorescence may be used as a guide for therapy when abortion is threatened. The authors indicate the desirability of further study of vulvar fluorescence. L. M:. RANDALL.