Marijuana use, adolescent pregnancy, and alteration in newborn behavior: how complex can it get?
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Wendy F Hansen.
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OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to compare the attitudes of faculty and medical students toward case-based learning and lecture format during the obstetrics and gynecology clerkship. STUDY DESIGN: For this prospective comparative study, student presentations were alternately assigned to traditional lecture- or case-based format every 6 weeks. Presentations were made to other students and a single faculty. A total of 31 faculty members, 30 student presenters, and 122 student participants completed evaluations. Teaching methods were compared. RESULTS Faculty members favored lecture format over case-based learning for "attentiveness and interaction of the group" (3.9 vs 4.5, P < .018) and for "meeting the objectives" (3.7 vs 4.5, P < .002). Student participants favored case-based learning in "understanding the relationship between knowledge and clinical practice" (4.34 vs 4.06, P < .05) and "enjoyed" (4.34 vs 3.90, P < .008). Student presenters showed no differences between groups. CONCLUSION: Faculty favored lecture format whereas student participants favored a case-based presentation. Student presenters were comfortable with both formats.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of metoclopramide on breast milk volume and duration of breastfeeding in women delivering preterm. METHODS: Women who planned to breastfeed and delivered between 23 and 34 weeks of gestation were eligible to participate in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Women were randomized to receive 10 mg of metoclopramide or placebo 3 times a day for 10 days, starting within 96 hours of birth. Breastfeeding education was standardized for all women. Mothers recorded the volume of breast milk expressed at each pumping for 17 days. Duration of breastfeeding was measured by monthly follow-up phone calls to each subject. RESULTS: Sixty-nine women were enrolled and 57 (82%) women completed the study: 28 in the metoclopramide group and 29 in the placebo group. The 2 groups were similar in age, education, ethnicity, gestational age, and marital status. There was no significant difference between breast milk volumes in the metoclopramide and placebo groups at each of the 17 days of the study (P = .26 to .98; test for mean metoclopramide effect P = .80). There was no significant difference between groups in duration of breastfeeding, with a median of 8.8 weeks, an interquartile range of 3.4 to 12.0 weeks for the metoclopramide group and a median of 8.6 weeks, and an interquartile range of 5.6 to 16.9 weeks for the placebo group (P = .09). CONCLUSION: Metoclopramide did not improve breast milk volume or duration of breastfeeding in this population of women. Regardless of therapy received, breastfeeding duration in this study of preterm mothers was poor. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I.
OBJECTIVE: To report a case of uterine artery pseudoaneurysm which initially failed unilateral uterine artery embolization that subsequently responded to bilateral embolization. DESIGN: A case report. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): 32-year-old G(2) P(1) female. INTERVENTION(S): Left uterine artery embolization followed by right uterine artery embolization 1 day later. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Vaginal bleeding, hemoglobin. RESULTS: Unilateral uterine artery embolization failed to control vaginal bleeding. Repeat embolization of the contralateral side was successful. CONCLUSIONS: Uterine artery embolization is an effective method of treating delayed postpartum hemorrhage secondary to a pseudoaneurysm of the uterine artery.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability of transvaginal ultrasound to detect cesarean scars and their defects in the nonpregnant state. METHODS: Asymptomatic, parous volunteers underwent transvaginal ultrasound of the cervix, uterus, and adnexa. Uterine measurements, the presence or absence of a cesarean scar, and the presence of a scar defect, defined as fluid within the scar, were recorded. All subjects completed a self-report questionnaire regarding obstetric history. Sonographers and investigators were blinded to subject history. RESULTS: A total of 70 subjects were enrolled. Of these, 38 women had a prior vaginal delivery and 32 women a prior cesarean delivery. One woman with a bicornuate uterus and three cesarean deliveries was excluded from data analysis. Real-time transvaginal ultrasound proved 100% sensitive (exact 95% confidence interval [CI] 88.8, 100) and 100% specific (exact 95% CI 90.7, 100). Stored image review had a sensitivity of 87% (exact 95% CI 70.2, 96.4) and a specificity of 100% (exact 95% CI 90.7, 100). Fluid was visualized within the scars of 13 of 31 subjects (42%) with a prior cesarean delivery. All 13 were found among the 23 subjects (56%) who had labored prior to cesarean delivery. Moreover, women with cesarean scar defects had a greater number of cesarean deliveries (P <.04) than women without scar defects. CONCLUSIONS: Transvaginal ultrasound is highly accurate in detecting cesarean hysterotomy scars. Cesarean scar defect, defined by the presence of fluid within the incision site, was more common when labor preceded cesarean delivery and with multiple cesarean deliveries.
We present a comprehensive and current review of the etiology, evaluation, treatment, and outcome of antenatal hydronephrosis. When a diagnosis of antenatal hydronephrosis is made, many questions regarding pregnancy, prenatal care, intervention, and what may be expected after birth are raised. Debate and controversy exist on the diagnosis and subsequent evaluation and management of the child with antenatal hydronephrosis. A review of the literature and our own experience with antenatal hydronephrosis are presented in order to guide the physician who is caring for mother and child.
BACKGROUND: Ureteroceles are congenital cystic dilatations of the submucosal segment of the distal ureter. We present a case of an intravesical ureterocele causing anhydramnios at 31 weeks' gestation. CASE: A primiparous woman near 20 weeks' gestation had ultrasound evidence of a fetal duplicated right collecting system. At 31 weeks, an intravesical ureterocele was seen along with bilateral hydroureteronephrosis and anhydramnios. A single percutaneous needle decompression of the bladder and ureterocele successfully restored amniotic fluid volume. CONCLUSION: Follow-up ultrasounds are indicated when either a duplicated renal collecting system or a ureterocele is identified. In utero treatment is indicated only when amniotic fluid is compromised. Needle decompression should be first-line treatment, with more invasive methods reserved for failures of decompression.
BACKGROUND: Placenta accreta is the abnormal attachment of the placenta to the uterus. It occurs when the decidua basalis is either absent or incomplete. It is uncommon and most often presents with a retained placenta and hemorrhage. CASE: A 29-year-old gravida 1 had an uncomplicated antenatal course and delivery. The third stage of labor was complicated by a retained placenta necessitating manual removal. Her postpartum course was complicated by a persistent endometritis. The diagnosis of placenta accreta was made with the help of sonohysterography. CONCLUSION: Sonohysterography is a useful tool in discriminating a solid intracavitary mass from a placenta accreta postpartum.
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Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a rare disorder of unknown etiology with a symptomatically distressing maternal course with pruritus as the chief complaint. ICP poses little medical risk to the mother, but poses significant risk to the fetus of perinatal mortality, preterm delivery, fetal distress, and meconium staining. ICP has a geographically variable prevalence and appears to have a heritable component. Current evidence suggests a susceptibility to derangements in the sulfation of steroid compounds, affecting the metabolism of progesterone and bile acids in the fetal/placental compartment. This impairs transport of bile acids across the placenta from the fetal to the maternal circulation. Exactly how this leads to fetal compromise is unknown. The most efficacious current medical management that improves both maternal symptoms and laboratory abnormalities is ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a hydrophilic bile acid that alters the composition of the bile acid pool in maternal blood. When ICP is diagnosed, UDCA coupled with close maternal-fetal surveillance is indicated. Delivery should be effected near term, with confirmation of fetal lung maturity or earlier if fetal compromise is identified.
UNLABELLED: Placental abruption complicates approximately 1% to 2% of all pregnancies and remains a significant cause of both maternal and fetal morbidity. Proposed pathophysiology of both acute placental abruption and the more common partial placental separation are discussed. The contribution of placental abruption to both preterm labor and preterm premature rupture of membranes is discussed. Recent evidence supporting maternal hypertensive disorders, maternal tobacco and cocaine use, age and parity, multiple gestations, maternal thrombophilias, and an unexplained elevated maternal serum alphafetoprotein as risk factors for abruption is reviewed. Emergency management of acute abruption is outlined. Finally, particular emphasis is given to the management of partial placental separation, including both immediate and delayed delivery and the use of tocolysis. TARGET AUDIENCE: Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Family Physicians. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After completion of this article, the reader will be able to define the condition of placental abruption, list the conditions associated with abruption, and outline potential management options for patients with placental abruption.
BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis in the fetus may present with meconium ileus, seen as dilated, hyperechogenic bowel on the prenatal ultrasound examination. Rarely does in utero bowel perforation occur with resulting peritoneal echogenicity, ascites or lack of bowel dilation. CASE: In a case of cystic fibrosis in a fetus, all three findings above occurred, as did anemia, most likely secondary to bleeding from perforated bowel. The anemia was detected following the finding of significantly elevated peak flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery (MCA). CONCLUSION: Fetuses with cystic fibrosis can develop anemia. MCA peak flow velocity measurements are helpful in detecting the anemia.
Midwives and other health care providers face a dilemma when a pregnant woman develops a condition that usually is treated with a pharmacologic agent. Understanding of basic teratology associated with drugs as well as the FDA categorization of agents can assist professionals in recognizing which pharmaceuticals should be used or avoided. In addition to reviewing teratology, this article addresses the use of common drugs for the treatment of upper respiratory conditions, minor pain, gastrointestinal problems, psychiatric illnesses, and neurologic disorders. In each category, current evidence is presented pertaining to which agents should be recommended for pregnant women.
OBJECTIVE: The role of the human fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) gene family in current prenatal diagnosis and management of craniosynostosis syndromes and skeletal dysplasias is discussed. METHOD: We present the antenatal ultrasound findings, diagnosis, and management of 2 cases of Apert syndrome before and after molecular prenatal diagnosis was available. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Discovery of mutations in FGFR genes now allows the definitive antenatal diagnosis of Apert syndrome, other craniosynostosis syndromes, and skeletal dysplasias.