Medicine: Saving Lives in the Womb

Little by little, doctors have been learning how to save the lives of babies born with blood disorders caused by Rh-factor differences in their parents (TIME. Nov. 28, 1949). But in 17% of these pregnancies, the doctors have had no chance to use their new-found skills because the babies were stillborn. What was needed was a technique to save their lives in the womb.

Last week Georgetown University's Dr. O. Benwood Hunter Jr. reported that cortisone and ACTH will do this in most cases. The level of the mother's hormone secretions is carefully checked as pregnancy advances, and if it indicates that...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!