Monday, May 11, 2009

Intra Uterine Growth Retardation

A case of Intra Uterine Growth Retardation:
Intrauterine growth restriction describes poor growth of a fetus. Specifically, it refers to a fetus whose weight is below the 10th percentile for gestational age. In Intrauterine growth restriction an unborn baby may not get enough nutrition because of: 1) Heart disease in the mother 2) High altitudes 3) Multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.) 4) Placenta problems 5) Preeclampsia or eclampsia, Congenital or chromosomal abnormalities are often associated with below-normal weight. Infections during pregnancy that affect the fetus, such as rubella, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, and syphilis may also affect the weight of the developing baby. Risk factors in the mother that may contribute to IUGR include: Alcohol abuse, Drug addiction .High blood pressure or heart disease, Poor nutrition, Smoking (7)
Ms S, aged 27years, obese patient with gravid 2, Para one, 7 months amenorrhea came to me on 050906, with poor development of fetus as shown in US Scan
US Scan report on 030906: FHR: 148BPM, 21-22 WEEKS, CEPHALIC PRESENTATION, FETAL WEIGHT 442Gm, and BPD—5CM, AC: 16CM FL: 6
P/H: first pregnancy was with toxemia of pregnancy, prematurety.
On Radar 7.0 rubric fetus, arrest of development of: Only one remedy
Secale cornutum (3rd grade remedy) was given.
In Hering C guiding symptoms under Secale cornutum remedy
says Arrested Development foetus .
On 050906 Secale cornutum, 30c, 3doses were given, Calcaria Phos 6 x
Tabs were given for 10 days.
231006 patients came with general well-being, Rubrum 3doses,
Calcaria Phos 6x tab were given.
On the advice of Gynecologist she underwent for US scan, the following was he report.
US Scan report on 301006: FHR: 148bpm, 30-31 weeks, FETAL WEIGHT 1452gm, BPD—76 CM, AC –251 CM, FL 3.9
According to the report fetal weight from 442Gm to 1452gm. The scan was done at same place by same sonologist.
231106 moments were present. A dose of Syphilinum 1m, one dose was given for Miasmatic clearance.
In the last part of 8th month she underwent cesarean section she was blessed with male child.
Summary: In the above case there is very less scope in other systems of medicines. The above case homoeopathy prevented of fetal death. In the above discussed patient cause of IUGR may be Placenta problems or Congenital or chromosomal abnormalities only. Because of financial condition I couldn’t investigate further. Presently age of the child (IUGR recovered) is around 2years with highly irritable nature, physical mile stones are normal, slight delay in the speech is noted. Detailed case will be published after a year.
In maternity child health program role of homoeopathy is unimaginable. The main goal is to reduce newborn mortality and maternal mortality significantly by 2015.

Government should encourage homoeopathic physicians in MCH program by posting them in health care centers. Homoeopathic system can tackle the common causes of maternal deaths as majority of homoeopaths are not academicians to know about fetal medicine or maternity child health program of government. It is a fact since ages knowingly or unknowingly homoeopaths are contributing in reducing the maternal mortality rate and infant mortality rate in rural areas.
(Full text of above article was published in Asian journal of homoeopathy march09 as challenges before homoeopathy for Safe motherhood )