Kalsium vir die behandeling van beenkrampe tydens swangerskap

In an attempt to evaluate the aetiology and therapy of leg cramps during pregnancy. patients at an antenatal clinic were treated with calcium or a placebo. The cramps were also evaluated clinically. It was found that calcium and placebo gave the same results and it is suggested that a study be made of ionised calcium levels during pregnancy.S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 780 (1974)

Computerised cardiotocography in a high-risk unit in a developing country - its influence on interobserver variation and duration of recording

No Abstract

Do vaginal lactobacilli prevent preterm labour?

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The outcome of babies 'of mothers with severe Rhesus incompatibility treated at Tygerberg Hospital, 1980 - 1993

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Neonatal, infant and child health in South Africa : reflecting on the past towards a better future

Although the neonatal mortality rate in South Africa (SA) has remained stagnant at 12 deaths per 1 000 live births, the infant and under-5 mortality rates have significantly declined since peaking in 2003. Policy changes that have influenced this decline include policies to prevent vertical HIV transmission, earlier treatment of children living with HIV, expanded immunisation policies, strengthening breastfeeding practices, and health policies to contain tobacco and sugar use. The Sustainable Development Goals (2016 - 2030) have shifted the focus from keeping children alive, as expressed in the Millennium Development Goals (1990 - 2015), to achieving optimal health through the ‘Survive, thrive and transform’ global agenda. This paper focuses on important remaining causes of childhood mortality and morbidity in SA, specifically respiratory illness, environmental pollution, tuberculosis, malnutrition and vaccine-preventable conditions. The monitoring of maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes is crucial, and has improved in SA through both the District Health Information and Civil Registration and Vital Statistics systems, although gaps remain. Intermittent surveys and research augment the routinely collected data. However, availability and use of local data to inform quality and effectiveness of care is critical, and this requires ownership at the collection point to facilitate local redress. Potential game changers to improve MCH outcomes include mobile health and community-based interventions. In SA, improved MCH remains a crucial factor for human capital development. There is a pressing need to focus beyond childhood mortality and to ensure that each child thrives.http://www.samj.org.zapm2020Geography, Geoinformatics and MeteorologyPaediatrics and Child HealthSchool of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH

Does coupling of uterine contractions reflect uterine dysfunction?

In a cohort analytical study 47 primigravidas in spontaneous nonnal labour at term were divided into two groups depending on the presence or absence of coupled uterine contractions during active labour. During monitoring with a pressure-tip intra-uterine catheter, 24 patients developed coupled contractions and 23 had a nonnal contraction pattern. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups with regard to Inaternal age, gestational age, maternal height, fetal weight, head circuInference and pelvic size. Patients who developed coupled contractions had a longer duration of labour, a higher uterine activity integral and an increased incidence of caesarean section for failure to progress. Because coupling of uterine contractions may be indicative of dysfunctional uterine activity, and hence a prolonged first stage of labour, failure to progress during labour in these patients should be interpreted with caution in order to avoid the incorrect diagnosis of cephalopelvic disproportion

Smoking and drinking during pregnancy

[No abstract available]Editoria

False interpretation of fetal heart rate monitoring in cases of intra uterine death

ArticleThe original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.zaSpiral scalp electrodes were applied in 30 cases of diagnosed intra uterine death during labour to establish different patterns caused by maternal fetal conduction of the ECG. In 10 cases the signal was of high quality and in 20 cases the signal was of low quality, but nevertheless spurious fetal heart rate recordings were produced. The maternal heart rate is interpreted as apparent 'fetal bradycardia' in all cases but 1. Maternal heart rate accelerations, most of them occurring during uterine contractions, were demonstrated in 12 cases and decelerations in 3 cases. Changes in beat to beat variation were, however, rare.Publisher’s versio

Management of patients with early severe pre-eclampsia

[No abstract available]Short Surve

Hyperstimulation of the uterus during the oxytocin stress test

2792 contraction stress tests (CST) were analysed. Oxytocin was administered in 1730 of these to stimulate uterine contractions and the hyperstimulation which occurred in 48 tests (2.8%) was studied extensively. Seven patients went into labor within 24 hr of the hyperstimulation. Two infants weighed less than 2500 g. One was mature but small-for-date and the other (who died neonatally) had a trisomy-18 syndrome with severe congenital abnormalities. There were no other intrapartum or neonatal complications. Ten CSTs demonstrated hypertonicity without any preceding oxytocin administration. No harmful effects from the hyperstimulation could be found.Articl