Polymorphic Eruption of Pregnancy
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP) were first reported in 1979 by Lawley and colleagues (JAMA 1979; 241:1696). Subsequently, Cohen and colleagues . . .
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
February 28, 2006
Covering:
Rudolph CM et al., Br J Dermatol 2006 Jan; 154:54-60
Combined First- and Second-Trimester Screening Techniques for Down Syndrome
Down syndrome can be accurately identified with sequential first- and second-trimester serum screening and ultrasound for nuchal edema.
By Judith G. Hall, OC, MD
February 24, 2006
Covering:
Malone FD et al., N Engl J Med 2005 Nov 10; 353:2001-11
Simpson JL., N Engl J Med 2005 Nov 10; 353:2068-70
SSRI Exposure in Utero — Harmful to Newborns
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Maternal use of SSRIs increases risks for neonatal abstinence syndrome and persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborns.
By Robert A. Dershewitz, MD, MSc
February 24, 2006
Covering:
Levinson-Castiel R et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2006 Feb; 160:173-6
Chambers CD et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Feb 9; 354:579-87
When Abstinence-Only Education Replaces Comprehensive Sex Education
Response to "Maybe They Do Listen . . ."
By Alain Joffe, MD, MPH
February 24, 2006
Depression Relapse During Pregnancy
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Pregnancy is not protective for women with longstanding, recurrent depression — but antidepressant use during pregnancy might be.
By Deborah Cowley, MD
February 22, 2006
Covering:
Cohen LS et al., JAMA 2006 Feb 1; 295:499-507
Pushing 101: Delete from Prenatal Classes?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
It might be time to reconsider this time-honored practice.
By Ann J. Davis, MD
February 21, 2006
Covering:
Bloom SL et al., Am J Obstet Gynecol 2006 Jan; 194:10-3
Antidepressants During Pregnancy
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Stopping antidepressants during pregnancy is associated with high risk for relapse.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
February 21, 2006
Covering:
Cohen LS et al., JAMA 2006 Feb 1; 295:499-507
Thrombophilic Factors Associated with Severe Preeclampsia
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Associated factors included factor V Leiden, hyperhomocysteinemia, and a family history of preeclampsia or thromboembolism.
By Marian C. Limacher, MD
February 21, 2006
Covering:
Mello G et al., Hypertension 2005 Dec; 46:1270-4
Paroxetine and Birth Defects: The FDA Issues an Advisory
Psychiatry General Medicine
In response to the findings of two as-yet-unpublished trials, the FDA has issued a public health advisory on the risk for birth defects with the . . .
By Judith G. Hall, OC, MD
February 8, 2006
Covering:
Health Canada.,
Carroll JC et al., CMAJ 2005 Aug 2; 173:253-9
Hyperemesis Likely to Recur
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
According to recent findings from a population-based study, risk for recurrence may be as high as 15%.
By Sandra Ann Carson, MD
February 7, 2006
Covering:
Trogstad LIS et al., BJOG 2005 Dec; 112:1641-5
Maternal Vitamin D Status and Childhood Bone Density
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy might increase a child’s bone mass.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
February 7, 2006
Covering:
Javaid MK et al., Lancet 2006 Jan 7; 367:36-43
2002 Contraceptive Use Report
Women's Health Summary and Comment
The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a random-digit–dialed telephone survey of U.S. adults, includes questions about contraceptive use and pregnancy intention. In a recent report, . . .
By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP
February 7, 2006
Covering:
Bensyl DM et al., MMWR Surveill Summ 2005 Nov 18; 54:1-72
As Time to Pregnancy Increases, So Does the Likelihood of Having a Male Child
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Women who took more than a year to conceive were more likely to have male children than women who took less time.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
February 7, 2006
Covering:
Smits LJM et al., BMJ 2005 Dec 17; 331:1437-8
Breast-Feeding Appears to Reduce Diabetes Risk
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Lactation has been associated with improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance, suggesting that it may also reduce risk for type 2 diabetes. These researchers evaluated . . .
By Jane E. Corboy, MD
February 7, 2006
Covering:
Stuebe AM et al., JAMA 2005 Nov 23; 294:2601-10
Reduced Pulmonary Function in Pregnant Women with Asthma Affects Perinatal Outcomes
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Either increased asthma severity or inadequate control might account for adverse perinatal outcomes observed in this study.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
February 3, 2006
Covering:
Schatz M et al., Am J Obstet Gynecol 2006 Jan; 194:120-6
Should We Take Another Look at Vaginal Breech Delivery?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Cesarean delivery might not be safer for term breech births.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
January 31, 2006
Covering:
Glezerman M., Am J Obstet Gynecol 2006 Jan; 194:20-5
Coached Maternal Pushing During Labor of Little Value?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In this randomized study, coached pushing did not reduce the proportion of women with prolonged second-stage labor.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
January 27, 2006
Covering:
Bloom SL et al., Am J Obstet Gynecol 2006 Jan; 194:10-3
Toxic Shock Syndrome After Medical Abortion
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
<$EMPH_O>C. sordellii<$EMPH_C> caused all four cases of toxic shock that led to an FDA alert in July 2005.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
January 24, 2006
Covering:
Fischer M et al., N Engl J Med 2005 Dec 1; 353:2352-60
SIDS and Obstetrical Complications in Other Pregnancies
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The association between SIDS and complications in subsequent pregnancies is mediated partly by maternal risk factors and by recurrence of prematurity and low birth weight.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
January 24, 2006
Covering:
Smith GCS et al., Lancet 2005 Dec 17; 366:2107-11
Maternal Periodontal Disease Increases Risk for Preterm Delivery
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Preterm delivery occurred significantly more often among women with moderate-to-severe periodontal disease during pregnancy than in those with mild or no disease.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
January 24, 2006
Covering:
Offenbacher S et al., Obstet Gynecol 2006 Jan; 107:29-36
Certain Birth Defects Increase with Paternal Age
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Some single-gene disorders (e.g., achondroplasia, Marfan syndrome) are more common in the offspring of older men, perhaps due to an increase in spontaneous mutations in . . .
By Sandra Ann Carson, MD
January 24, 2006
Covering:
Zhu JL et al., Hum Reprod 2005 Nov; 20:3173-7
Unplanned Pregnancy Doesn’t Influence Subsequent Use of Contraception
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Women with histories of unplanned pregnancy were no more likely to be using contraception currently than women without such histories.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
January 24, 2006
Covering:
Matteson KA et al., Obstet Gynecol 2006 Jan; 107:121-7
Which Contraceptives for Women with Lupus?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Clinicians rarely prescribe combination oral contraceptives (OCs) to women with lupus, given concerns about increasing disease activity and thrombosis. Although intrauterine devices provide highly effective . . .
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
January 24, 2006
Covering:
Petri M et al., N Engl J Med 2005 Dec 15; 353:2550-8
Sánchez-Guerrero J et al., N Engl J Med 2005 Dec 15; 353:2539-49
Quick Start Might Not Affect Patch Continuation
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Studies have found that women who initiate oral contraceptive (OC) use on the day of their office visit (“Quick Start”) are more likely to continue . . .
By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP
January 24, 2006
Covering:
Murthy AS et al., Contraception 2005 Nov; 72:333-6
Predictors of Caffeine Intake During Pregnancy
Women's Health Summary and Comment
High caffeine intake during pregnancy has been associated with various adverse effects (e.g., reduced fetal growth), prompting government health authorities in the U.S., the U.K., . . .
By Nada L. Stotland, MD, MPH
January 24, 2006
Covering:
Svikis DS et al., Am J Psychiatry 2005 Dec; 162:2344-51
