[Carnitine in therapy of placental insufficiency--initial experiences]

Carnitine (3-hydroxy and 4-trimethylaminobutyrate) present in all living cells, plays an important role in the oxidation of fatty acids. It is known that high dose carnitine activates surfactant synthesis. Given to women with imminent premature delivery, its benefit on the post natal period is proved. Own studies showed an increased need of carnitine during pregnancy. Therefore the questions rose if carnitine substitution improves placental insufficiency. 15 pregnant women were treated with 2 x 1 g carnitine orally for one week and with 1 x 1 g carnitine during the following 7 days when their fetus showed a retardation of 1-3 weeks. The control group were 15 untreated patients with the same problems of retardation. The placental insufficiency was diagnosed by fetometry, by blood parameters and the doppler ultrasound flow measurement. In the group of the treated patients 11 out of 15 showed an improvement, in 4 patients no effect of carnitine was seen and in 1 patient the retardation increased. In the control group 8 out of 15 patients showed a spontaneous improvement of fetal growth, 2 women did not have a change in their retardation and 5 patients had to be hospitalized because of increasing placental insufficiency. Inspite of the small number of patients a tendency towards a profit in carnitine treatment for placental insufficiency seems to be real.