Glucomannan and risk of oesophageal obstruction.

1 MARCH 1986 591 When all results were considered together the urine tube immunoassay (Model) gave 100% sensitivity and specificity as well as 100% predictive values for normal and abnormal results. The serum tube enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, while showing 100% sensitivity, was less specific, and the dipsticks were intermediate in value. Comment Our results are sufficiently encouraging to suggest that measurement of urinary hCG with ultrasensitive tube or dipstick assays should be the first line investigation in women presenting with non-specific abdominal complaints. Results equivalent to those of qualitative rapid radioimmuno-assays may be obtained and appropriate further investigations such as laparoscopy, ultrasonography, and culdocentesis instituted. Qualitative tests do not differentiate ectopic from intrauterine pregnancy but offer a rapid and convenient assessment of secretion of hCG. The current assays may be simplified, and preliminary results using a two minute test (Icon, Hybritech) have been as good as those obtained with the assays described here (paper submitted for publication). These relatively simple, convenient, and commercially available enzyme labelled assays should be widely available in outpatient departments and wards for 24 hour use. gonadotropin measurements as an aid in the diagnosis of early pregnancy disorders. 3 Norman RJ, Lowings C, Chard T. Dipstick method for human chorionic gonadotropin suitable for emergency use on whole blood and other fluids. Restraint of babies in cars Adequate restraint considerably reduces death and injury to infant passengers in car accidents. I 2 The official recommendation in Great Britain for the restraint of babies aged 0-6 months (weight <9 kg) is that the baby should be laid in a carrycot that is held in the rear seat by straps fixed to suitable anchor points on the car body. We determined the degree of compliance with this recommendation by questionnaire and by observation. public postnatal inpatients in the Princess Anne Hospital were studied with the approval of the consultant obstetricians and Southampton ethical committee. The women were assigned to an interview or a control group according to the postnatal ward of admission; the designation of wards was changed midway through the study. Mothers who did not have access to a car or whose babies stayed in hospital for more than 12 days after delivery were excluded. Those in the interview group were questioned about access to a car, knowledge of the recommendations for carrying babies in cars, and their intended practice. Those in the control group were given …