Urinary oestriol measurement in the management of antepartum haemorrhage.

In 51 patients with antepartum haemorrhage, 24-hour urinary oestriol was measured continuously until delivery. A total of 765 24-hour urinary oestriol measurements was obtained and there were two stillbirths, one neonatal death and three cases of intrauterine growth retardation in this group of patients. It was felt that none of the fetal deaths would have been prevented by obstetrical treatment based on 24-hour urinary oestriol measurements and that these have little practical value in the management of patients with antepartum haemorrhage.