Pathogenesis and Prognosis of Prematurity

Abstract

Heart Volume and Maternal WeightDuring the past two decades evidence has accumulated that prematurity rates are excessive in women with histories of recurrent illnesses. It has also been demonstrated that heart-volume measurements, in the absence of cardiac disease, reflect the total blood volume, which in turn increases as physical fitness improves.¹⁴⁹ From these considerations was derived the thesis that smaller heart volumes might indicate the less biologically fit woman who was especially prone to premature delivery.The relation between heart volume and prematurity was explored in Helsinki with a study in 30 prenatal clinics of x-ray films of the . . .