This study further investigates the predictive value of measurement of squalene in amniotic fluid in assessing the gestational age of the fetus in term and in prolonged pregnancies (>42 weeks). A preliminary finding that high squalene values were characteristic of prolonged pregnancies was confirmed. A retrospective search of medical records from patients whose pregnancies were thought to be prolonged demonstrated that a high percentage of these pregnancies indeed were not so. The availability of a test which is a good indicator of prolonged pregnancy may in fact lower the rate of unnecessary obstetric intervention in prolonged pregnancies.
A study of the use of glycosylated haemoglobin (glyco Hb) levels to identify the pregnant woman with abnormal glucose tolerance and as an adjunct in the control of the diabetic pregnant patient was undertaken. There was no difference in glyco Hb levels in pregnant women with normal or abnormal glucose tolerance. Mean glyco Hb levels were found to increase with the progress of pregnancy. Serial estimations of glyco Hb level in diabetic pregnant women reflected the degree of overall control, but were inadequate, when compared with serial glucose estimations, to assess the often rapidly-changing requirements of pregnancy.
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