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Biomedical subjects

J O Forfar

Publications and source records attributed to J O Forfar.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1971

Associations between drugs administered during pregnancy and congenital abnormalities of the fetus.

In a retrospective study to compare the drug consumption during pregnancy of mothers of infants with congenital abnormalities and of those without, over 97% of 1,369 mothers took prescribed drugs and 65% self-administered drugs. Significantly more mothers of infants with congenital abnormalities took aspirin, antacids, dextroamphetamine, phenobarbitone, sodium amytal, other barbiturates, cough medicines, iron, sulphonamides, and nicotinamide than mothers in the control group. However, most mothers taking analgesics, antacids, appetite suppressants, barbiturates, cough medicines, iron, sulphonamides, and vitamins produced normal infants. Any teratogenic effect of these drugs is therefore one of low potency. On the other hand, deficiencies such as those of ascorbic acid and folic acid may have a teratogenic effect. There is need for caution in presuming teratogenic effects on the basis of the associations shown here. During pregnancy, however, it would appear wise to avoid the administration of any drug which carries a suspicion of teratogenicity unless that drug is specifically indicated, and self-medication with common household remedies such as aspirin and antacids should be avoided. These recommendations would also apply to any woman of childbearing age in whom conception is likely.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed1970

Free amino-acid concentrations in fetal fluids.

The pattern of free amino-acid concentrations in maternal venous plasma, fetal umbilical arterial plasma, fetal urine, and amniotic fluid at 15 to 20 weeks' gestation has been determined. Free amino-acid concentrations were greater in fetal plasma than in maternal plasma, amniotic fluid, or fetal urine.The ratios of amino-acid concentrations in fetal umbilical arterial plasma and urine indicate that the fetal kidney can effectively conserve amino-acids, possibly reaching an adult level of competence in this respect.There was little correlation between amino-acid concentrations in the fluids analysed with the exception of that between amniotic fluid and fetal urine.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1970

Child adoption.

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Adoption↗
PubMed1969

Oral calcium-loading test in rickets and in neonatal tetany: effect of vitamin D.

In an oral calcium-loading test performed on 10 infants with vitamin-D deficiency rickets and low fasting calcium levels, a comparison of results before and after therapy showed that vitamin D raised the serum calcium level at each stage of the test and altered the response so that a more rapid and substantial rise and fall in serum calcium occurred.The effects of vitamin D therapy on newborn infants with hypocalcaemic hyperphosphataemic tetany in another study suggests that these infants should be treated in this way to make them more responsive to oral calcium therapy.

Calcium↗
PubMed1969

Oral calcium-loading test in infancy, with particular reference to idiopathic hypercalcaemia.

An oral calcium-loading test suitable for infants is described and the usual response defined. In four acute cases of idiopathic hypercalcaemia a high and sustained rise in serum calcium occurred, suggestive of hyperabsorption and consistent with a vitamin-D-like effect. In four further infants with a milder illness suggestive of hypercalcaemia the fasting calcium levels were not grossly raised, but the test produced an exaggerated hypercalcaemic response. In this type of patient the test is more sensitive in the diagnosis of idiopathic hypercalcaemia than isolated measurements of serum calcium, especially if these are taken in the fasting state. Five patients on treatment and three whose treatment had been discontinued (but who subsequently relapsed or made a poor recovery) showed abnormal loading tests at a time when fasting calcium levels were normal. In two cases full recovery from the disease was associated with reversion of the test to normal. The test can therefore be used to indicate activity of the disease and consequently as a guide to therapy. In two cases a persistently abnormal loading test was associated with a poor long-term prognosis.

Calcium↗