Pulmonary beta-adrenergic receptors and response do not mature precociously in growth-retarded rabbit fetuses

Article Abstract:

In growth-retarded fetuses the lungs are thought to mature faster than in normal fetuses of a similar fetal age. This increased maturity actually results in fewer complications and deaths due to breathing abnormalities. The cause of this accelerated lung development is not understood. Beta-adrenergic receptors on small structures in the lungs prepare the fetus for life outside the uterus. The receptors stimulate absorption of water in the lungs and the release of surfactant, an agent that lowers surface tension in the lungs, rendering the lungs more flexible. Catecholamines are chemicals that are increased in the fetal blood during labor; they act on beta adrenergic receptors to increase the amount of surfactant. When these receptors are blocked, the amount of surfactant decreases in the lungs. To determine whether growth-retarded fetuses have an increased number of receptors, fetal rabbits were evaluated. The position of the fetus inside the uterus can predict which fetuses will be smaller in size, and this model was used to measure receptors in growth-retarded fetuses. It was found that the number of beta-adrenergic receptors were not increased in growth-retarded fetuses according to this model.

Measurement, Fetus, Infants, Fetal growth retardation, Pulmonary function tests, Epinephrine, Pulmonary surfactant, Pulmonary surfactants, Pulmonary function tests for newborn infants

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Supportive nurse-midwife care is associated with a reduced incidence of cesarean section

Article Abstract:

Pregnant women cared for by a nurse-midwife may be less likely to have a cesarean section than those cared for by a physician. A study compared the incidence of cesarean sections among 1,056 pregnant women cared for by a certified nurse-midwife to that among 3,551 pregnant women cared for by a physician. Ten percent of the women cared for by a nurse-midwife had a cesarean section, compared with 12% of the patients cared for by a physician. Women cared for by a nurse-midwife were less likely to develop complications during labor or to have a diagnosis of fetal distress than those cared for by a physician. Twenty-three percent of the women under the care of a nurse-midwife used epidural anesthesia during labor, compared with 42% of those under the care of a physician.

Prevention, Midwives, Cesarean section

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Heterogeneous causes constituting the single syndrome of preeclampsia: a hypothesis and its implications

Article Abstract:

Preeclampsia may be caused by many factors and arise from placental and maternal dysfunction. Preeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy involving high blood pressure and protein in the urine and may lead to seizures. Maternal predisposing factors for preeclampsia are high blood pressure, kidney disease, obesity, and diabetes. Maternal factors may be responsible for 20% to 40% of preeclampsia cases. Placental dysfunction may be caused by development of abnormally small blood vessels leading to inadequate blood flow. Maternal and placental dysfunction may combine to injure the capabilities of the lining of blood vessels.

Causes of, Physiological aspects, Preeclampsia, Pregnancy, Complications of, Pregnancy complications

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