title: The effect of bedrest in hospital on fetal outcome in pregnancies complicated by intra-uterine growth retardation.
abstract: A prospective study was made to evaluate whether bedrest in hospital is beneficial in pregnancies where intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR) was suspected. Diagnosis was based on routine fetometry at 32 weeks of gestation, in conjunction with general ultrasound screening. 107 patients with suspected IUGR-pregnancies were divided into two groups, 49 in a hospital bedrest group and 58 in an 'out-patient' group. Fifteen women in the bedrest group refused hospitalization, and 8 women in the out-patient group had to be hospitalized for medical reasons other than suspected growth retardation, leaving 79% of the women in their allocated group. The women in the bedrest group were hospitalized for a mean duration of 29.2 days (range 5-54). The results suggest that bedrest in hospital is not beneficial, either to fetal growth or to pregnancy outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Lund, Malmö General Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Laurin
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Persson
mesh_terms: D001510:Bed Rest; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000628:therapy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography