Biomedical subjects
J Suidan
Publications and source records attributed to J Suidan.
Differences in twins: the importance of birth order.
Despite the clinical impression that firstborn twins do better than second-born twins, recent reports have shown no difference in perinatal mortality between them. In order to evaluate differences in twins, more sensitive means than perinatal deaths are necessary. This study examines differences between 80 firstborn and second-born twin pairs with respect to Apgar score, umbilical venous and arterial blood gas, and acid-base data. The umbilical venous and arterial blood PO2, PCO2, base deficit, pH, and lactic acid concentration were measured in paired samples and compared with the paired t test and chi 2 when applicable. Statistically significant differences favoring twin A, the firstborn, were found in 1-minute Apgar score, umbilical venous pH, PO2, and PCO2, and umbilical arterial PO2. The other factors in umbilical venous and arterial blood did not show statistically significant differences. When these parameters were examined with respect to route of delivery, monochorionic and dichorionic twins, interval between twins, and vertex twins only, with the possible effects of malpresentation eliminated, the results persistently favored the firstborn twin. Thus it is unequivocally demonstrated that there are substantial differences at birth favoring the first twin, despite similar perinatal mortality for both. The data suggest that the second-born twin has potentially greater susceptibility to hypoxia and trauma.
Hydranencephaly: prenatal and neonatal ultrasonographic appearance.
The prenatal diagnosis and postpartum confirmation of hydranencephaly is discussed. The need for an adequate knowledge of fetal cranial anatomy when performing obstetric sonography is stressed.
The Apgar score: is it enough?
One thousand thirty-two neonates were evaluated with umbilical venous and arterial blood samples drawn at delivery for assessment of pH, PO2, PCO2, and base deficit. These values were statistically correlated with Apgar scores in all of the neonates studied. Infants were divided into Apgar groupings (group A, greater than or equal to 7 at one and five minutes; group B, less than 7 at one minute, greater than or equal to 7 at five minutes; group C, less than or equal to 7 at both one and five minutes). Generally, umbilical artery and umbilical venous data were parallel. The differences in means for pH, PO2, PCO2, and base deficit was significant when group A was compared with group B in both umbilical artery and umbilical venous data. However, a severe degree of biochemical disturbance must take place before significant association with neonatal depression can be made. It appears that umbilical blood biochemical data are related to fetal metabolic status before birth but only modestly influence the one-minute Apgar score.