| 摘要 |
<p>A non-invasive method for the early detection and assessment of the severity of various pathological conditions in pregnancy including pregnancy-induced hypertension, preeclampsia, premature uterine contractions and intrauterine growth retardation. The carbon monoxide or end-tidal carbon monoxide concentration is measured in a pregnant woman's breath and compared to thresholds for determining the likelihood of onset or actual onset of these pathological conditions. The measurements can be made in a clinic, hospital, physician's office, or any other location easily accessible to pregnant women using any of a number of devices for measuring breath carbon monoxide. One solution is to measure end-tidal breath carbon monoxide using the Natus TM CO-Stat TM End Tidal Breath Analyzer, manufactured and sold by Natus Medical Inc. of San Carlos, CA. This particular device allows an operator to perform non-invasive, simple and rapid, automatic sampling and analysis of end-tidal carbon monoxide in expiratory air without the requirement for laboratory analysis or highly trained personnel. Thus, the method can be employed using a device that does not required laboratory analysis or highly trained personnel, and results in an on-the-spot, immediate determination which is vital for rapid treatment of these serious conditions of pregnancy.</p> |
