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Biomedical subjects

R Henrion

Publications and source records attributed to R Henrion.

172 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cerebral symptoms in the term newborn infant. Results of a prospective survey].

1785 newborns of 37 weeks GA or more, were studied during a 15 months period at the Port-Royal Maternity Hospital. This study suggests that cerebral abnormalities during the neonatal period in fullterm neonates are related to deleterious intra partum factors. In 57 newborns, clear cut signs of cerebral birth injury were observed, in 31 newborns only mild and transitory signs were observed. These 88 newborns were compared with 1655 having had a normal neurological examination within the first week of life. We focused particulary on dysfunctional labor patterns, specifically false labor, protracted active phase dilatation, protracted descent or a marked caput succedaneum. When these abnormal patterns are followed by oxytocin infusion and forceps extraction, primiparity appears linked with a high risk of cerebral birth injury. Within cephalic presentations, the occipito-posterior position is carrying the same high risk. The most severe degree of cerebral birth injury has nearly disappeared. However, the main problem of modern obstetrics is one of eradicating brain damage of moderate degree without reaching an excessive incidence of C. section.

Asphyxia Neonatorum↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Prenatal diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies].

Fetal red blood cells are necessary for the antenatal diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies. Fetal blood may be obtained in utero, by amniocentesis or fetoscopy, from the 17th to the 20th week of pregnancy. At this time, biochemical techniques may detect bêta-thalassemia major (fetal synthesis of hemoglobin btaA chain totally absent or less than 2% and sickle cell disease (fetal synthesis of btaS chain, without any production of bêtaA chain). When fetal blood has been severely contaminated by maternal blood, purification techniques allow enrichment of the sample in fetal red blood cells by the elimination of adult reticulocytes which may lead to errors in diagnosis.

Erythrocytes↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Orange colored cells in the amniotic fluid. Statistical evaluation of 504 samples].

The authors have made a statistical evaluation of 504 estimations of the percentage of orange coloured cells in the liquor amnii. They have been able to draw up a curve of the means which confirms the value of this method. Orange coloured cells of fetal origin first appear after about 28 to 30 weeks. The rise in the percentage which is gradually progressive between the 30th and 37th weeks becomes sharp at the 38th week. The gradients of the curve of the means between the 37th and 38th week is comparable to that of the ratio lecithin/sphingomyelin. It is different from that of creatinaemia which is steeper. False-positive results are rare: at 2 p. 100 they seem to correspond to an advance in fetal maturation which may be spontaneous or may be brought about by treatment. False-negative results are commomer: 13 p. 100. The percentage of orange coloured cells should be viewed in conjunction with other tests for maturity. The technique is simple but the results may be vitiated by the minutae of preservation, of taking or of staining the cells which are described. Orange coloured cells maintain their value in pathological pregnancies and in particular in those where the fetuses are small for dates, for the percentage of orange coloured cells agrees more with the age of the fetus than with its weight.

Amniocentesis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Hydramnios and fetal malformations. Use of estimating the level of alpha-fetoprotein and of bilirubin in the amniotic fluid during the last trimester of pregnancy (author's transl)].

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in amniotic fluid have been measured by electro-immunodiffusion methods in the last trimester of pregnancy. 122 samples have been taken by abdominal amniocentesis during 58 pregnancies without hydramnios and 51 pregnancies with hydramnios. The level of AFP was always less than 1.2 mcg/ml when the children were normal in the latter group. On the other hand levels were higher than 1.2 mcg/ml in 17 out of 19 abnormal children. These had 5 neural tube abnormalities, 1 hydrocephalus, 3 duodenal atresias, 1 oesophageal atresia, 1 hare lip, 1 omphalocoele and 5 different malformations. The two abnormal children who had levels of AFP within normal limits were hydrocephalic. The diagnostic value of measuring bilirubinaemia which was also measured in 22 cases has been demonstrated.

Amniocentesis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Effectiveness of measures taken in France to reduce the risks of heroin addiction via intravenous route].

French policy towards illicit drug use is based on abstinence, and on withdrawal for drug-dependent users. Its basis is the December 31, 1970 law, which is still applicable, and prohibits the use of theses drugs, even in private. It provides for prison sentences for users who do not accept to be treated. Under the pressure of new events, in particular the epidemics of AIDS, hepatitis B and C, the reappearance of tuberculosis, and an increasing marginalization of drug users, a harm reduction policy was developed. The first measure taken was to authorize over-the-counter sale of syringes and needles in pharmacies in May 1987. It was only in 1993 that programs were established: needle exchange, methadone maintenance centers, drop-in centers, sleep in, and bus for care, involvement of general practitioners, improved access to hospitals, better medical care of prisoners, participation of associations of former users, and licensing of buprenorphine high dosage for the treatment of drug dependency. The results have been clear: the number of consultations in specialized treatment centers increased, the incidence of HIV decreased spectacularly, overdoses decreased substantially, and arrests for heroin use and misdemeanours declined. However, harm reduction policies do not solve all the problems. They are applicable only to intravenous heroin users, and don't avoid using others licit or illicit drugs. Substitute drugs can be injected or resold. Finally, the prevalence of hepatitis C infection has not significantly decreased and the decrease in HIV infections is less marked among young users and women.

France↗