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Intra‐uterine Death Due to Foetal Erythroblastosis
Author(s) -
Townsend Lance,
Shelton J. Grantley
Publication year - 1964
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/j.1479-828x.1964.tb00259.x
Subject(s) - medicine , in utero , oxytocin , gestation , rh isoimmunization , fetus , fetal death , obstetrics , pregnancy , chemotherapy , anesthesia , surgery , biology , genetics
Summary:1 When foetal death in utero due to Rh isoimmunization has been diagnosed, labour should be induced by artificial rupture of the membranes and intravenous oxytocic infusion. 2 This method is safe and effective. Twenty patients in whom foetal death occurred between the 20th and the 35th weeks of gestation were treated in this way and all were delivered within 24 hours. There were no complications. 3 Adequate chemotherapy must be used. 4 The strength of the oxytocin infusion can be increased to 100 units per litre (or more if necessary) to initiate uterine contractions. 5 The method eliminates the development of hypofibrinogenaemia, which in un‐treated foetal death due to Rh iso‐immunization developed in approximately half the patients in whom the foetus was re‐tained for more than 5 weeks. 6 The method also relieves the patient of a period of anxiety in which depressive symptoms may develop.