Thesis (M.D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 338-381) Also available in print.

Thesis--University of Michigan. / Photocopy. Ann Arbor, Mich. : University Microfilms International, 1977.--21 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 219-224).

Thesis (M. Nurs.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Boston University.

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston University

This thesis reports the longitudinal quantification of cardiovascular, haemodynamic and autonomic nervous system (CHANS) function during three stages of pregnancy.

This study explores the experience of a select group of women pregnant for the first time after age 35. A grounded theory approach was used to collect, code, compare, and contrast data arising from a series of indepth interviews. The resultant theoretical construct showed that these women conceived of pregnancy as a four phase project. Each phase revolved around a major concept and had a related goal. The women moved from the early planning and controlling phases through transition to a phase of uncertainty about how they would incorporate motherhood into their lives. Implications for nursing relate to the women's sophisticated learning needs, their ability to plan and control their experiences, their lack of synchronization with societal norms, their self confidence, and their continuing careers. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Nursing, School of / Graduate

Reports in the literature indicate that maternal dietary deprivation during pregnancy and lactation can influence the growth and development of progeny. While the offspring often suffer permanent growth impairment, it is sometimes possible for restricted progeny to catch-up in size to normal age-mates following a period of accelerated growth. In 1964, Chow and Lee reported growth hormone-induced catch-up growth in weight of offspring of restricted rats. An animal experiment was designed in order to study the effects of maternal undernutrition on skeletal growth and development of offspring. A secondary purpose of the study was to ascertain whether catch-up in skeletal dimensions could be stimulated by the administration of growth hormone. Sprague Dawley rats were maintained on Purina Laboratory Chow throughout pregnancy and lactation with restricted animals receiving approximately 50 percent of the amount consumed by ad libitum fed controls. Male offspring comprised 6 treatment groups: progeny of restricted mothers which were given growth hormone injections early in postnatal life, later in postnatal life, or not at all; and progeny of controls which were given early injections of growth hormone, later growth hormone injections, or no growth hormone. Offspring were weaned at 49 days post-copulation and fed ad libitum for one year. At regular intervals they were weighed, measured for body, and tail length, and X-rayed to permit assessment of skeletal growth and maturation. Results indicate that the progeny of restricted dams suffered growth retardation and a temporary delay in skeletal maturation. Restricted offspring had normal proportions but were permanently stunted in size. No differences among groups were found for either the restricted or control offspring indicating that exogenous growth hormone was ineffective in permitting restricted progeny to catch-up to controls with respect to weight, length, or skeletal dimensions. Therefore, if there is a connection between the growth impairment of restricted progeny and pituitary insufficiency, the relationship must be complex. A model is proposed in order to suggest possible inter relationships between growth hormone status and growth impairment of offspring of dams restricted in diet during pregnancy and lactation. / Land and Food Systems, Faculty of / Graduate

INTRODUCTION: The effects of maternal subclinical hypothyroidism on pregnancy outcomes are not clear. We performed a cohort study to assess potential associations between maternal thyrotropin (TSH) levels in pregnancy and obstetric and perinatal outcomes. METHODS: Women aged ≥18 years with a singleton gestation seen for prenatal care at Boston Medical Center from 1/1/2007 through 5/22/2014 and their fetuses and infants were included. Women with known thyroid disease or use of thyroid medication or lithium were excluded. Maternal demographics, pertinent medical and obstetric histories, and initial serum TSH levels during pregnancy were assessed in relation to adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes. Normal TSH values were defined as ≤4mIU/L, low birth weight (LBW) as ≤2500g, and prematurity as gestational age (GA) at birth <37weeks. RESULTS: A total of 8,413 pregnant women (mean age 29.1years, 15% white, 60% black, 13% Hispanic) and their fetuses and infants (mean GA at birth 38.5wks, 52% male, mean birth weight 3.2kg) were included in the analyses. The median (range) TSH level was 1.06 (<0.01–106.41) mIU/L, and 130 women (1.6%) had TSH >4mIU/L. Maternal TSH levels >4mIU/L were associated with increased risks of prematurity (risk ratio (RR) 2.15; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14–4.03) and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) (RR 2.80; 95% CI 1.01, 7.78) compared to maternal TSH levels ≤4mIU/L. Although not statistically significant, there were increased risks of fetal loss, preeclampsia/eclampsia, and low birth weight associated with TSH levels >4mIU/L (RR 1.54, 95% CI 0.61–3.90; RR 1.45, 95% CI 0.70–2.99; and RR 2.16, 95% CI 0.76–6.13, respectively). TSH levels >4mIU/L were not associated with preterm labor, placental abruption, cesarean section, gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, or neonatal intensive care unit admission CONCLUSION: Maternal serum TSH concentration >4mIU/L in pregnancy was associated with approximately 2-fold increased risks of prematurity and RDS in offspring. Elevated TSH was also associated with unstable increases in the risk of fetal loss, preeclampsia/eclampsia, and low birth weight. However, more interventional studies are needed to ascertain the benefit of treatment of maternal subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy. / 2020-09-28T00:00:00Z

The General Introduction in Section 1, Page 1 describes briefly the scope of the work in this thesis. Section 2 deals with the Historical facts with emphasis on the History in South Africa which has never been published previously. In addition the.general history as well as the literature concerning the Etiology, Pathogenesis and follow up studies is summarised. Section 3 is a study of the incidence of the Toxaemias of late pregnancy within the municipal boundaries of the city of Cape Town and the Langa Native Township, and their racial grouping. A separate introduction on page 38 as well as the problems investigated on page 48 and the standards employed on page 49 as well ·as the methods and material on page 50 indicate how this problem was investigated. The conclusions of this aspect of the study are summarised on page 850. Section 4 deals with follow up studies of 100 cases of non-convulsive toxaemia and 100 cases of eclampsia, and the material and methods are described on pages 88 and 94 respectively. Section 5 portrays the results of the follow up studies and the conclusions reached in this regard. In addition fields for further investigation are suggested on page 22,9. Section 6, the Appendix, gives additional case history information and Section 7 reproduces the Bibliography used.