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Biomedical subjects

P R Meier

Publications and source records attributed to P R Meier.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Fetal treatment 1982.

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Congenital Abnormalities↗

Trial of labor following cesarean section: a two-year experience.

Elective repeat cesarean section is one of the major factors responsible for the increase in the total cesarean section rate observed since 1970. Beginning in January, 1980, a voluntary program encouraging a trial of labor for patients with a documented previous low-transverse cesarean section and no apparent recurring indication was instituted. Two hundred seven patients were managed with an adequate trial of labor, and 84.5% were delivered vaginally over a 2-year period. There were no deaths associated with a trial of labor, and maternal and fetal morbidity was negligible. This voluntary program resulted in a 27.9% decrease in the repeat cesarean section rate over the 2 years reported. Patient and physician acceptance of such a program was evaluated by follow-up questionnaires. Current recommendations include a mandatory trial of labor in patients with only one previous low-transverse cesarean section and no current indication for cesarean delivery. A more liberal management policy regarding patients with two or more previous low-transverse cesarean sections also seems warranted.

Cesarean Section↗

A surgical approach to the treatment of fetal hydrocephalus.

Untreated fetal hydrocephalus results in gross cranial and facial abnormalities and profound brain damage. In an attempt to prevent both, a ventriculoamniotic shunt was implanted in a fetus with probable X-linked aqueductal stenosis and hydrocephalus. Performed at 24 weeks' gestation, the procedure used techniques similar to those used for intrauterine transfusion. After shunt placement, the fetal head size grew normally until after the 32d week, when the shunt failed. A cesarean delivery was performed at 34 weeks' gestation. The infant received a standard ventriculoperitoneal shunt after delivery, and his neonatal course has been evaluated through the first three months of life. In selected cases, the ventriculoamniotic shunt may be an acceptable treatment for fetal hydrocephalus.

Adult↗

Rates of protein synthesis and turnover in fetal life.

Uniformly labeled [14C]lysine was infused at constant rate into the inferior vena cava of eight ovine fetuses with gestational ages ranging from 110 to 145 days. The infusion lasted 9 to 13 h and produced a steady-state specific activity of free lysine in the fetal plasma. In the steady state, approximately 9% of the infused radioactivity was excreted by the fetus as 14CO2, indicating fetal catabolism of lysine. At the end of the infusion, the fetal carcass was analyzed for its total content of labeled and unlabeled lysine. The rate of protein synthesis was calculated from the carcass-to-plasma lysine specific activity ratio. The fractional rate constant (Ks) for the unidirectional flux of lysine into fetal proteins was inversely related (r = -0.88) to fetal age: Ks = 0.584 - 0.0036 age (days). In each fetus, Ks was 2-4 times greater than the estimated fractional rate of fetal protein accretion (KG). The discrepancy between Ks and KG demonstrates that a large fraction of protein synthesis in the ovine fetus is devoted to protein turnover.

Animals↗

Hirschprung's disease complicating pregnancy.

The first case of uncorrected Hirschsprung's disease complicating pregnancy is reported. The congenital aganglionic megacolon was confirmed by tissue biopsy. Following the completion of her pregnancy, the patient had definitive surgical correction of her malady. A brief discussion of bowel obstruction in pregnancy is included.

Adult↗