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Obstetrical Sequelae of Fetal Hypotonia and Paresis
Author(s) -
Pearn John
Publication year - 1977
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.1977.tb02622.x
Subject(s) - medicine , hypotonia , fetus , polyhydramnios , swallowing , context (archaeology) , muscle tone , paresis , pregnancy , fetal movement , obstetrics , arthrogryposis , pediatrics , surgery , physical medicine and rehabilitation , paleontology , genetics , biology
Summary: Neuromuscular diseases which affect the fetus form a useful and perhaps exclusive model by which the role of normal fetal muscle tonicity in pregnancy and delivery can be examined. In this context, the pregnancies, deliveries, and neonatal sequelae of 76 patients with infantile spinal muscular atrophy have been reviewed. It has been found that normal fetal tone is important in the prevention of traction injuries during delivery. Reduced fetal movements do not influence the duration either of pregnancy or of labour. Weak fetal swallowing, provided even minimum deglutition is present, is sufficient to prevent polyhydramnios at least in the third trimester. Other obstetric and neurological overtones of perinatal hypotonia are discussed.