The results of this study show that pregnancy had an effect only on the gingivae and not on periodontal attachment levels. The effects of oestrogen and progesterone could give rise to a more florid response to the irritant effects of plaque, resulting in severe gingivitis.

Usage of contraceptive preparations containing oestrogen and progesterone resulted in hormonal changes similar to those seen in pregnancy, associated with increased prevalence of gingivitis. There was significantly higher LA with prolonged usage of hormonal contraceptives, compared with controls.

1. Serum folate level, packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentration of apparently healthy rural Sri Lankan women, between 20 and 45 years and earning up to Rs. 500 (Sri Lankan Rs. 35 u El Sterling) per month, were estimated during pregnancy and when on oral contraceptive (OC) treatment with Ovulen 50 (ethinyl oestradiol 0.05 mg, ethinodiol diacetate 1 mg).2. Ovulen 50 administration led to a fall in serum folate levels which occurred very rapidly during the first 6 months and more slowly thereafter, stabilizing at 2.2 ng/ml in women of very low economic status and at 2.9 ng/ml in the more privileged.3. There was a steady fall in serum folate concentrations during pregnancy, the levels at the end of pregnancy being higher than those in women under OC treatment for 9 months.4. The need for folate supplementation during OC treatment is stressed.Published research studies indicate that the concentration of folic acid in blood serum is low in women on oral contraceptive (OC) therapy (Shojania et al. 1968(Shojania et al. , 1969(Shojania et al. ,1971 women who were using contraceptive methods in Sri Lanka, 5% were found to be users of oral contraceptives (Lightbourne & Singh, 1982). Furthermore, the evidence of nutritional inadequacy among the vulnerable age-groups in rural Sri Lanka has also been documented (Jogaratnam & de Mel, 1976). The present investigation was initiated to study (a) the serum folate levels of healthy non-pregnant women, (b) the effect of a combination type of OC (Ovulen 50; ethinyl oestradiol 0.05 mg, ethinodiol diacetate 1 mg) on serum folate levels, and (c) the effect of pregnancy on serum folate levels, among the Sri Lankan women.

El tromboembolismo pulmonar es un padecimiento que se presenta con frecuencia de manera silenciosa, muchos de los casos no se diagnostican de forma oportuna. Es una complicación de la trombosis venosa profunda procedente, principalmente de los miembros inferiores, lo que provoca  la oclusión total o parcial de la circulación pulmonar, ocasionada por un coágulo, que dependiendo de su magnitud, puede o no originar síntomas.