Summary. Pure fetal blood samples, obtained fetoscopically from 30 patients with unexplained fetal hydrops at 16 to 32 weeks gestation were investigated for cytogenetic, haematological, biochemical and virological properties. In two patients with oligohydramnios, the fetoscope was introduced transabdominally into the fetal peritoneal cavity and sampling was undertaken from the intra‐abdominal portion of the umbilical vein; in all the other patients an umbilical cord vessel was sampled. Ten (33%) of the fetuses had chromosomal abnormalities, one an erythroblastic process, possibly erythroleukaemia, one α‐thalassaemia and one cytomegalovirus infection. Blood‐film abnormalities were seen in 23 (88%) of 26 fetuses that had this examination. Biochemical analysis of fetal plasma was undertaken in 18 fetuses and hypoproteinaemia was found in all cases. One fetus was subsequently found to have a paroxysmal tachyarrhythmia that responded to digitilization. Three (10%) of the fetuses survived.

'Ferguson RK, Vlasses PH. Clinical pharmacology and therapeutic applications of the new oral angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril.

No abstract

Summary The transfer of maternally administered cephradine (1 g given intravenously) to the fetal circulation and amniotic fluid was investigated in 2 pregnant patients undergoing fetoscopy. Cephradine was detected in fetal serum between 23 and 72 minutes after injection and was present in therapeutic concentrations. Fetal serum levels appeared to peak at approximately 40–50 min. Amniotic fluid levels were rising during the sampling period of 97 min. Cephradine is transferred across the placenta and appears to be a suitable antibiotic for use in selected obstetric patients when penetration of the fetal compartment is desirable.