Maternal alcohol consumption and smoking, and smoking by the partner turned out to be independent risk factors for placental abruption. Smoking by both partners multiplied the risk. The liberal use of ultrasound examination contributed little to the management of women with placental abruption.

Glucocorticoids rate among the most controversial topics in today's perinatology and neonatology. Many sick preterm infants exhibit signs of adrenal insufficiency, the etiology, diagnostic criteria, and optimal treatment of which are under debate. Moreover, most of these infants are exposed to pharmacological glucocorticoid doses both in utero and after birth. In face of this, surprisingly little is known about the physiological glucocorticoid exposure before early preterm birth. This exposure is highly variable and mainly regulated by the placental enzyme 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-2 (11 beta-HSD2), which converts excess cortisol (F) to inactive cortisone (E). Impaired activity of this enzyme is common in intrauterine growth restriction and preeclampsia, conditions frequently associated with early preterm birth. To identify clinical determinants associated with decreased placental 11 beta-HSD2 function, we studied 107 small preterm infants [mean birth weight, 1067 g (range, 395-2453 g); gestational age, 28.2 wk (range, 22.4-32.0 wk)] by determining their placental 11 beta-HSD2 activity rate (per milligram protein) and total activity (per placenta) as well as cord vein F and E concentrations. An E/(E+ F) ratio expresses the overall balance of the F/E shuttle. There were positive correlations between relative birth weight and placental 11 beta-HSD2 activity rate (r = 0.30; P = 0.002) and total activity (r = 0.56; P < 0.0001) as well as E/(E+ F) ratio (r = 0.27; P = 0.01) and E concentration (r = 0.32; P = 0.003). Infants with increased umbilical artery resistance had lower total placental 11 beta-HSD2 activity (P = 0.02), E/(E+ F) ratio (P = 0.04), and E concentration (P = 0.0002). Gestational age was inversely associated with placental 11 beta-HSD2 activity rate (r = -0.25; P = 0.009). We conclude that, in small preterm infants, reduced placental 11 beta-HSD2 function is associated with low relative birth weight and severe fetal distress. Whether these conditions are associated with early postnatal adrenal insufficiency or long-term cardiovascular risk remains an important issue for further study.

Although univariate analysis identified many risk factors, only smoking, uterine malformation, previous cesarean section, and history of placental abruption remained significant after multivariate analysis, increasing the risk of placental abruption in subsequent pregnancy. It may be possible to approximate the risk for placental abruption based on these simple prepregnancy risk factors.

Primary intracerebral haemorrhage in the Jyvaskylai region, Central Finland, 1985-89: incidence, case fatality rate, and functional outcome R Fogelholm, M Nuutila, A-L Vuorela Abstract The age and sex specific incidence rates, the case fatality rates, and the functional outcome of patients with primary intracerebral haemorrhage occurring in a population of 116 000 during a period of four years four months are presented. A total of 158 patients were identified, the diagnosis was confirmed in 78% by CT, and in 22% by necropsy. The crude annual

Aims/hypothesis Our objective was to examine the trends in prepregnancy BMI and glycaemic control among Finnish type 1 diabetic patients and their relation to delivery mode and perinatal outcome. Methods We analysed the obstetric records of 881 type 1 diabetic women with a singleton childbirth during 1989-2008. Maternal prepregnancy weight and height were obtained from the maternity cards, where they are recorded as reported by the mother. Results Maternal BMI increased significantly during 1989-2008 (p<0.001). The mean HbA 1c in the first trimester remained unchanged, but the midpregnancy and the last HbA 1c before delivery increased (p00.009 and 0.005, respectively). Elective Caesarean sections (CS) decreased (p for trend <0.001), while emergency CS increased (p for trend <0.001). The mean umbilical artery (UA) pH decreased in vaginal deliveries (p for trend <0.001). The frequency of UA pH <7.15 and <7.05 increased (p for trend <0.001 and 0.008, respectively). The macrosomia rate remained at 32-40%. Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions increased (p for trend 0.03) and neonatal hypoglycaemia frequency decreased (p for trend 0.001). In multiple logistic regression analysis, maternal BMI was associated with macrosomia and NICU admission. The last HbA 1c value before delivery was associated with delivery before 37 weeks' gestation, UA pH <7.15, 1 min Apgar score <7, macrosomia, NICU admission and neonatal hypoglycaemia. Conclusions/interpretation Self-reported pregestational BMI has increased and glycaemic control during the second half of pregnancy has deteriorated. Poor glycaemic control seems to be associated with the observed increases in adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes.