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The duration of pregnancy as assessed by the rule of Naegele was significant different between patients who became pregnant following termination of oral contraception and patients, who had not taken oral contraceptives. The intervall between stopping the pill and pregnancy was two month. We found a relatively high pregnancy rate in the first three month. The clinical significance is discussed.

Renal function was investigated by isotope nephrography in 31 pregnant women with normal kidneys during various phases of pregnancy, and in 137 women on continuous contraceptive steroids (up to eight years). The semi-quantitative parameters of zum Winkel were used. It was found that the use of oral contraceptives did not lead to any change in renal function, whereas with advancing pregnancy there was distinct excretion delay on the isotope nephrogram. The results are discussed in the light of the relevant literature. Isotope nephrography appears to be a satisfactory screening test for evaluation of renal function on each side.

The isotope nephrograms of a total of 31 renally healthy pregnant women of different thirds of pregnancy are semiquantitatively investigated by 2 methods. The results are demonstrated graphically. This comparison show that a more correct result can be made with the describing method by taking a greater number of parameters describing the excretory phase.

Changes in renal function during pregnancy were studied by sequential scintigraphy in 16 women with normal kidneys. The examinations were carried out during the first and third trimesters. Time activity curves were obtained by a computer-assisted storage and analysis procedure, using a "region of interest" technique for renal parenchyma and renal pelvis. The study included topographic changes and the evaluation of 13 semi-quantitative parameters related to the renal parenchyma and of nine parameters related to the renal pelvis. The results were demonstrated graphically. The predominantly rightsided changes in renal function during the third trimester are discussed in relation to the relevant literature.

Following a detailed description of the technique of examination and evaluation used in nuclear medicine, the article reports on first results obtained with renal sequence scintigraphy in pregnant women with normal kidneys. Attention is drawn to the diagnostic possibilities offered by this method, basing on a discussion with reference to the published literature, with particular emphasis on pregnancy and on the monitoring of risk pregnancies.

Rapid progress has recently been encountered in pharmacologically treating the unborn baby. This unique area of drug therapy raises new methodological and ethical questions. This article is a systematic review of known modalities of fetal pharmacotherapy, and aims to highlight essential principles, difficulties and controversies in fetal pharmacotherapy. Unique pharmacokinetic features of pregnancy, the placenta and the fetus govern maternal-to-fetal drug transfer. Ethically, it is important that the mother and family are appropriately informed about the evidence in favour of specific fetal therapy, its risks and alternatives. Antenatal use of corticosteroids for lung maturation is an example of adequate methodology, leading to clear results. In contrast, the initial hopes in antenatal use of phenobarbital were based on less than optimal methodology. Folic acid for the prevention of neural tube defects is the first instance of fetal therapy that has led to the prevention of a major malformation. Serious infections, such as HIV, Group B streptococcus and toxoplasmosis highlight the need for controlled, randomised studies to prevent fetal infection. With scores of new modalities of fetal therapy likely to be introduced in the next few years, it will be important to adhere to the best possible methodology and execution, in order to address optimally the needs of the fetus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]