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Biomedical subjects

K Haram

Publications and source records attributed to K Haram.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Osteopenia caused by heparin treatment in pregnancy.

A case is reported of severe osteopenia caused by heparin treatment of thrombosis in the eleventh week of pregnancy followed by heparin prophylaxis (5000 IU three times daily) during pregnancy and lactation. The mother complained of back pain during the last two weeks of pregnancy. Six weeks post partum, generalized osteopenia in the skeleton was diagnosed and a compression fracture of the body of the sixth thoracic vertebra. During pregnancy the mother had relatively low serum concentrations of 1,25(OH)2D, the active metabolite of vitamin D, and six weeks after delivery the serum concentration had fallen to about 50% of the lowest reference level. Eight and fourteen weeks after delivery, when heparin treatment had been discontinued, the serum concentrations of 1,25(OH)2D were within the reference range for non-pregnant adults.

Adult↗

Calcium homeostasis in pregnancy and lactation.

This paper discusses different aspects of calcium homeostasis in pregnancy: the calcium demands of the mother, regulation mechanisms and the risk factors for demineralization. Special care should be paid to patients lying in bed for long periods and patients given heparin prophylaxis. One to two grams of calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D daily should be given orally to patients who are being treated for deep vein thrombosis. In addition, bone density should be checked to detect osteoporosis. The period of heparin prophylaxis must be as short as possible and bed rest must not be unnecessarily prolonged.

Calcium↗

[Genital herpes in pregnancy. Time for new advice?].

This article surveys recent literature on genital herpes. In cases of active primary genital herpes, Caesarean section should be performed if delivery is possible within 4 to 6 hours after rupture of the membranes. There is no indication for repeated viral cultures or Caesarean section in patients with recurrent herpes or asymptomatic disease if there are no lesions at the time of delivery and the patient is without symptoms. With recurrent infections the risk of neonatal infection is low after vaginal delivery even if the mother is shedding virus at the time of birth, and vaginal delivery can be allowed even if the mother has lesions. In such instances, however, the neonate must be observed closely. Virus cultures must be prepared, and, if the virus is isolated, treatment with acyclovir should be started.

Female↗

[Smoking prevention. Courses on smoking prevention conducted at a regional hospital].

We present the results of four smoking cessation courses conducted during the period 1986 to 1988 and including 105 persons. 68 women and 37 men participated in weekly lessons, three prior to and two after a predetermined quit-smoking day. Physicians presented information and smoking cessation techniques, the latter based on cognitive behavioural modification. At one year follow-up 27% of the participants had stopped smoking and 49% had reduced smoking consumption. More intensive follow-up and pharmacological treatment might reduce the relapse rate further.

Hospitals, District↗

Serum urate as a predictor of fetal outcome in severe pre-eclampsia.

Maternal serum urate levels were studied in 50 normal pregnancies and 72 cases of severe pre-eclampsia. Markedly elevated levels of serum urate were found in severe pre-eclampsia, compared with normal pregnancy. In severe pre-eclampsia significantly higher levels were found prior to parturition in cases of growth retardation and perinatal distress, compared with patients whose newborns were of normal size and condition. Particularly high serum urate levels were found early in the third trimester in cases of perinatal death. A slight but significant correlation was found between the weight centile of the newborn and the last maternal urate level before parturition. A rapidly rising urate level reliably predicted perinatal distress. The last maternal serum urate before parturition was correlated with the hemoglobin and erythrocyte volume fraction values in the same blood sample.

Adolescent↗

Iron requirement in normal pregnancy as assessed by serum ferritin, serum transferrin saturation and erythrocyte protoporphyrin determinations.

Serum iron, serum iron-binding capacity, serum ferritin and erythrocyte protoporphyrin were determined during uncomplicated pregnancy in 45 healthy women; 22 were given oral iron while the others were given a placebo. When iron was not given, 15 out of 23 women had exhausted iron stores and iron deficiency at term, as judged from low serum ferritin, low serum transferrin saturation and high erythrocyte protoporphyrin values. Only seven of them had a haemoglobin concentration between 10 and 11 g/dl at term but none had values less than 10 g/dl. In the iron-treated group (n = 22) none of the women developed iron deficiency. Serum ferritin was the most sensitive and specific test of iron deficiency. A practical procedure to detect iron deficiency and to control iron supplementation in pregnancy is suggested.

Adult↗