Effects of terbutaline sulfate on fetal cardiac function

Article Abstract:

Terbutaline sulfate is an agent used to stop early labor. Side effects in the mother include increased heart rate and blood pressure, fluid build-up in the lungs and changes in the heart detectable by electrocardiogram monitoring that resemble heart muscle death. In pregnant animals, repeated fetal exposure to another class of drugs for treating preterm labor, beta- sympathomimetic drugs, caused heart enlargement, and subsequent examination of dead fetuses revealed heart muscle death (myocardial infarction). To determine the effect of terbutaline on the hearts of fetuses, pregnant guinea pigs were injected over a ten-day period. The fetal hearts were then evaluated and found to have a higher heart beat rate and to weigh more in relation to body size, and the fetuses themselves had have higher blood pressures. The increased load carried by the fetal hearts may predispose them to heart muscle damage, although microscopic examination did not reveal cell death. This may be the result of very low doses used in this experiment. Long-term therapy with terbutaline may cause injury to the fetal heart muscle and its use in humans warrants careful fetal monitoring during pregnancy.

Premature labor, Fetal heart, Terbutaline sulphate

---

Prenatal diagnosis of laryngeal atresia

Article Abstract:

The case report is presented of a fetus with laryngeal atresia (failure of the larynx to develop), a rare, fatal birth defect. Abnormalities were detected on ultrasound examination at 23 weeks' gestation, after the mother gained eight pounds in one week and developed high blood pressure. The fetus had enlarged lungs, a compressed heart, and extensive fluid retention. Labor was induced and the fetus was delivered stillborn. The lung enlargement in such cases results from the accumulation of fetal lung secretions, which are retained, since they cannot pass out the airway. Comments concerning the diagnostic findings are presented. Ultrasound examination earlier than the second trimester of pregnancy may fail to detect laryngeal atresia: the fetus discussed here had appeared anatomically normal at 15 weeks' gestation. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Usage, Case studies, Diagnosis, Fetus, Physiological aspects, Birth defects, Prenatal ultrasonography, Ultrasonics in obstetrics, Larynx

---

Hypersensitivity to magnesium sulfate

Article Abstract:

Magnesium sulfate is a drug used to arrest early labor and prevent seizures in pregnant patients with high blood pressure. Allergic reactions to magnesium sulfate, although unreported, have been found in two patients. Both patients were labor and delivery room nurses who each developed a rash after magnesium sulfate treatment for preterm labor. The rashes, which appeared within minutes of magnesium sulfate use, disappeared when the drug was withdrawn. The manufacturer had no knowledge of any other reports of hypersensitive reactions after magnesium sulfate therapy.

Labor (Obstetrics), Magnesium sulphate

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: The effect of acute renal failure on mortality: a cohort analysis. New epidemiologic evidence confirming that bias does not explain the aspirin-Reye's syndrome association
• Abstracts: Association of the renin-sodium profile with the risk of myocardial infarction in patients with hypertension. Treatment-induced blood pressure reduction and the risk of myocardial infarction
• Abstracts: Effects of epidural block with lignocaine and lignocaine-adrenaline on umbilical artery velocity wave ratios. Haemodynamic changes in gestational proteinuric hypertension: the effects of rapid volume expansion and vasodilator therapy
• Abstracts: Secondary cancers after bone marrow transplantation for leukemia or aplastic anemia. Bone marrow transplantation for sickle cell disease
• Abstracts: Primary prevention of hypertension by nutritional-hygienic means: final report of a randomized, controlled trial

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.