Reminiscences of a perinatologist
Article Abstract:
Dr. Edith L. Potter has spent over 50 years involved in defining the practice of perinatology, a discipline which she is credited with naming. Perinatology is the study of the unborn fetus and recently born infant during the first several weeks of life. This article discuss the changing concern of obstetricians from a sole focus on the mother's health to one which is balanced between the mother's health and the unborn or newborn. Dr. Potter's experience has included research demonstrating that infant mortality during the first month of life is related to low birth rate, and showing the anatomic pathologic causes of infant death. From her position at the Chicago Lying-in Hospital, she has had the opportunity to watch the development of the field and has been involved in the production of 37 articles and six books. During this period, Dr. Potter has seen infant mortality drop from 30.4 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1934 to 7.3 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1985.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1989
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Delayed diagnosis of infants with abnormal neonatal screens
Article Abstract:
Newborns who have abnormal neonatal screening results may not receive prompt medical treatment. Neonatal screening is a series of tests for different metabolic disorders that is given to infants immediately after birth. Of 10 children who had abnormal neonatal screening results, three had 21-hydroxylase deficiency, six had sickle cell anemia, and one had beta thalassemia. All of the children's physicians received telephone notification of abnormal test results. Children with 21-hydroxylase deficiency were diagnosed an average of 32 days after birth, those with sickle cell anemia were diagnosed an average of 215 days after birth, and the child with beta thalassemia was diagnosed 310 days after birth. Six of the children (60%) had life-threatening complications of their disorders. Physicians had different reasons for not following up immediately on their patients' abnormal test results.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1992
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Impact of Multiple Births on Low Birthweight--Massachusetts, 1989-1996
Article Abstract:
The increase in the number of low-birth-weight (LBW) babies in Massachusetts since 1989 seems to be linked to an increase in multiple-birth pregnancies in women who use fertility drugs. Between 1989 and 1996, the number of LBW babies increased 8%. However, the number of multiple birth pregnancies increased from 2.5% in 1989 to 3.5% in 1996. This was especially true in older, well-educated women. In 1996, fertility drugs or assisted reproduction technologies were used by 13% of Massachusetts mothers with multiple-birth deliveries, compared with 0.7% of mothers with singleton births.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1999
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