Summary. Symphysis fundus heights (SF) were measured approximately 15 times during pregnancy in a consecutive series of 2941 women with regular menstrual cycles and known last menstrual period. A reference SF chart from 17 to 40 weeks of pregnancy was derived from measurements in 1350 of these women who were healthy, and heights and pre‐pregnancy weights within the 10th and 90th centiles and were delivered vaginally of healthy infants with a birthweight/length ratio within ±2SD. The reference chart was used to predict fetal growth deviations in the unselected series of pregnancies. The effectiveness of SF measures to detect fetuses with an infant birthweight/length ratio below −2SD or a birthweight below the 10th centile was low; the sensitivity was only 16·7 and 26·6% and the predictive value of positive screening result was 1·8 and 18·0%, respectively. Corresponding values for fetuses with an infant birthweight/length ratio above +2 SD or a birthweight above the 90th centile were 31·8 and 37·5% and 3·3 and 24·5%, respectively. Symphysis fundus (SF) measurement has thus been found to be of limited value as a screening method to detect abnormal size at birth.
During the 6-year period 1970-1975 5 cases of late intrauterine death caused by group B streptococcal infection were seen in two obstetrical departments in the Stockholm area. During the same period 17 638 infants were born in the two departments, and in 117 cases intrauterine death occurred. Hematogenous spread of the infection from the mother was the most likely cause in the 5 cases. This figure should be compared with a carrier rate of 15-20% in pregnant women in the Stockholm area.
The frequency of cornu-fundal implantation of the placenta in association with breech presentation was investigated in the following study. In a series of 124 women with breech presentation, and 125 women with cephalic presentation at or near term, the implantation site of the placenta was demonstrated by ultrasonography. It was found that with breech presentation the placenta was implanted in the cornual region in 72.6% of the cases, as compared with 4.8% in cephalic presentation. The placental implantation site may therefore have a determining effect upon the presentation of the foetus.
The frequency of cornu-fundal implantation of amniotic sac determines the polarity of the sac inthe placenta in association with breech presentation was investigated in the following study. In a series of 124 women with breech presentation, and 125 women with cephalic presentation at or near term, the implantation site
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