The frequency of uterine contractions in abruptio placentae

Odendaal H.J. (1976)


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The frequency of uterine contractions was studied in 37 patients with severe abruptio placentae. They ranged from 3 to 16 per 10 minutes, with a mean of 7,86. When frequency of contraction was correlated with haematological and clinical data, a slight negative correlation was found between the frequency and haemoglobin and haematocrit values. In patients with intra uterine fetal death, the mean frequency was 8,85 as opposed to 5,55 when the infant was born alive. This difference is statistically significant. The possible role of these abnormal contractions in causing intra uterine death is discussed.

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