[Births, abortions and extrauterine pregnancies in the community of Funen during 1974-1986]. / Fødsler, aborter og ekstrauterine graviditeter i Fyns Amt i perioden 1974-1986.

A retrospective investigation was undertaken of all the births and abortions during the period 1974-1986 in the County of Funen. The material comprised 66,020 births, 23,179 induced abortions, 9,270 spontaneous abortions and 1,344 ectopic pregnancies. The distributions of the various types of pregnancy were assessed for the entire period and correlated with the age of the women. Comparison of the circumstances in 1974 and 1986 revealed significant changes (p less than 0.05) for pregnant women greater than or equal to 35 years with the following values: the number of births increased 20%, the number of spontaneous abortions increased 56%, the number of ectopic pregnancies increased 240% and the number of induced abortions fell 31%. These numerical values are probably representative for all Denmark.

[Anxiety as an indication for referral for amniocentesis. Follow-up of the course of pregnancy]. / AEngstelse som indikation for henvisning til fostervandsprøve. Opfølgning af graviditetsforløbet.

A prospective epidemiological investigation was undertaken concerning 2,276 pregnant women referred for amniocentesis during a period of seven years. After exclusion of all of the pregnant women over the age of 35 years and some subgroups, the material consisted of 799 pregnant women under the age of 35 years who were uneasy about the result of pregnancy. These were subdivided and assessed: group A = 329 women with indications for amniocentesis according to the circulars issued by the Danish Ministry of Health and group B = 470 healthy anxious women who desired amniocentesis but without indications. Following genetic counselling, 256 women (B1) still desired amniocentesis while 214 women (B2) now rejected amniocentesis. The courses of the pregnancies in groups A, B1 and B2 were followed-up and assessed. No significant differences were observed between the courses of the pregnancies in group B1 and B2. The tendency demonstrated by this investigation was that anxiety probably did not bear any relation to the outcome of the pregnancy.

[Induced abortions in relation to the use of contraceptive agents]. / Provokerede aborter sat i relation til brugen af praeventive midler.

The aim of the study was to investigate the use of contraceptive methods among women referred to an induced abortion. The design was a prospective study of women seeking abortion, 854 were included consecutively. All were asked about the contraceptive methods used preceding their actual pregnancy. Was the contraceptive method used in a regular way, and what was the motive for her voluntary abortion? Of the 854 women, 831 chose to participate and answered the questions (97.3%). We found that 35% had used their contraceptive method in a regular way but became pregnant nevertheless. Another group of 33% had forgotten to use their contraceptives for a few days and became pregnant by accident. In the last group of 32% the women had not used any contraceptive methods. It is concluded that more information is necessary to get women and men to use contraceptive methods regularly with better precision and more seriousness.

[Facial mask--effective protection against blood spattering]. / Ansigtsvisir--en effektiv beskyttelse mod blodstaenk.

The protective effect of a see-through face visor was evaluated in four different types of operation. In a clinical trial, the visor was used 150 times by eight different surgeons, and the number of blood spatters, type of operation and blood loss was registered. There was no correlation between the size of the blood loss and the number of blood spatters. At caesarean section, a median of four blood spatters per operation was found on the visor. At the other three types of operation (hysterectomy, operation for vaginal prolapse and episiotomy) the median was one blood spatter per operation. The area surrounding the eye constituted three percent of the visor's area. We thus found the risk of getting a blood spatter in the area of the eye at caesarean section to be four percent (95% confidence limits 0.1-20.4). In conclusion, we found the face visor offered good protection against blood spatters.

[Absorption of norethisterone acetate from tablets with normal and coarse particle size]. / Absorption af noretisteronacetat fra tabletter med normal og grov partikelstørrelse.

A clinical randomized double-blind trial with cross-over is presented. The object was to assess the absorption of 1 mg norethisterone acetate from tablets with particles of normal and coarse size. The hypothesis was that the coarse particles would result in retarded absorption. In this trial, eight healthy postmenopausal women with an average age of 72 years participated. The participants received the tablets in the morning with intervals of a week and the plasma concentration (C) was measured throughout 24 hours. The two absorption profiles showed significant differences after 30 minutes (p less than 0.05) with the following values: Tablets with normal particles resulted in C = 31.1 nmol/l while the analogous result with the coarse particles was C = 17.0 nmol/l. It is concluded that the coarse particles resulted in lower plasma concentrations initially.

[Progesterone and gestagen treatment. Pharmacologic and clinical aspects]. / Progesteron- og gestagenbehandling. Farmakologiske og kliniske aspekter.

A review is presented of progestogens which assume a central position in future replacement therapy. The types and dosages of progestogens are of considerable significance for the effects and side effects. Attention is, therefore drawn to the plasma concentration and the minimal effective doses in the following two clinical treatments. Oestrogen primed endometrium is correctly transformed after treatment for 12 days with the following daily dosages: Dydrogesterone = 20 mg, medroxyprogesterone = 10 mg, norethisterone/norethisterone acetate = 0.7 mg, desogestrel = 150 micrograms or levonorgestrel approximately 100 micrograms. Inhibition of ovulation and contraception are obtained by means of the following daily doses: Medroxyprogesterone = 10 mg, norethisterone/norethisterone acetate = 350 micrograms, levonorgestrel = 50 micrograms, desogestrel = 60 micrograms, gestodene = 40 micrograms or norgestimate 250 micrograms.

Utilization of Pharma-Plast syringes for gas level determination.

A comparative study has been made of Pharma-Plast and Arterial-Blood-Sampler-B-109 syringes. Thirty-two syringes were studied in each group: their properties were compared with regard to blood sampling from intravascular catheters with the object of gas level determination. A comparison of the two groups showed no significant difference. It is concluded that there are economic advantages in using the cheaper, simple Pharma-Plast syringes for gas level determination, if the blood is withdrawn from an intravascular catheter. They are particularly recommended for departments carrying out cardiac and vascular surgery, and for scientific projects.

Normal karyotype in cultured chorionic villus cells, but mosaicism in amniotic and fetal cells.

A case with a normal male karyotype in cultured chorionic villus cells, but 46,XY/45,X/46,X,i(Yq) mosaicism in amniotic and fetal tissue is reported. The fetus was a phenotypic male. Pathological examination revealed discrete features, which might indicate a syndrome, and histological examination showed large, bright cells in the tubules of the testes. Possible explanations for discordance between the karyotype of embryonic and extraembryonic tissue are discussed.