Diabetes and Risk for Antenatal and Postpartum Depression
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Perinatal depression was substantially more prevalent among women with diabetes than among those without.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
March 12, 2009
Covering:
Kozhimannil KB et al., JAMA 2009 Feb 25; 301:842
Nature vs. Nurture: What IVF Can Reveal
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A unique study provides insights into genetic and environmental factors in human development.
By Barbara Geller, MD
March 9, 2009
Covering:
Rice F et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2009 Feb 17; 106:2464
Fertility Drugs Are Not Associated with Ovarian Cancer
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
No relation was found between use of fertility drugs and risk for ovarian cancer in Danish women.
Preterm Delivery Among Nurses: What Are the Risks?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Nurses who worked nights had excess risk for delivering before 32 weeks’ gestation.
Diabetes, Depression, and Pregnancy
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Diabetes was associated with perinatal depression in low-income mothers.
Estrogen-Related Angioedemas
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Novel forms of angioedema are often related to an estrogen trigger.
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
February 20, 2009
Covering:
Hentges F et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2009 Jan; 123:262
Early-Onset Group B Strep Just Won’t Go Away
Infants still get early-onset GBS even if we follow CDC guidelines.
Maternal Weight and Congenital Anomalies
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Overweight and obesity were associated with excess risk for several anomalies.
Prenatal Steroids and Preterm Birth: You Only Need One Course
Multiple courses of prenatal corticosteroids did not improve preterm birth outcomes and increased risk to smaller infants.
By William P. Kanto, Jr., MD
February 11, 2009
Covering:
Murphy KE et al., Lancet 2008 Dec 20/27; 372:2143
Newnham JP and Simmer K., Lancet 2008 Dec 20/27; 372:2094
Prevention and Treatment of Postpartum Depression
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Psychological interventions and peer support show promise.
By Deborah Cowley, MD
February 9, 2009
Covering:
Dennis C-L et al., BMJ 2009 Jan 15; 338:a3064
Morrell CJ et al., BMJ 2009 Jan 15; 338:a3045
Dennis C-L., BMJ 2009 Jan 15; 338:a2975
Repetitive Antenatal Corticosteroids: More Harm Than Good?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Antenatal steroids given on a 14-day cycle conferred no survival benefit and adversely affected fetal growth.
By Ann J. Davis, MD
February 5, 2009
Covering:
Murphy KE et al., Lancet 2008 Dec 20/27; 372:2143
Newnham JP and Simmer K., Lancet 2008 Dec 20/27; 372:2094
Contraceptive Costs and Effectiveness
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Of all major contraceptive options, IUDs and vasectomy were the most cost-effective.
Reported Voluntary Abortions: Numbers Inch Downward
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Abortion totals and ratios dropped slightly from 2004 to 2005, whereas abortion rates remained stable in 2005.
By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP
January 29, 2009
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Surveill Summ 2008 Nov 28; 57:1
Down Syndrome: Changes in Survival During the Past 20 Years
Increasing average maternal age appears to counterbalance advances in antenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome.
By Judith G. Hall, OC, MD
January 28, 2009
Covering:
Irving C et al., Eur J Hum Genet 2008 Nov; 16:1336
Rasmussen SA et al., Am J Med Genet A 2008 Dec 1; 146A:2998
How Common Are Complications in Women Who Donate Oocytes?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Overall, 87% of donors had no apparent complications or concerns.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
January 27, 2009
Covering:
Maxwell KN et al., Fertil Steril 2008 Dec; 90:2165
Opening Up Plan B Access
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Access to Plan B has improved now that the medication has been granted behind-the-counter status.
By Ann J. Davis, MD
January 22, 2009
Covering:
Gee RE et al., Am J Obstet Gynecol 2008 Nov; 199:478.e1
Cumulative Live-Birth Rates After IVF
General Medicine Summary and Comment
By this measure, rates approached those of fertile couples.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
January 20, 2009
Covering:
Malizia BA et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Jan 15; 360:236
Nifedipine Is Not Helpful After Arrested Preterm Labor
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Maintenance tocolysis did not lengthen pregnancy duration or improve neonatal outcomes.
Live-Birth Rate as a Measure of IVF Success
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Cumulative live-birth rate could be a practical means of evaluating potential for a live birth across multiple cycles.
Lopinavir Dosing During Pregnancy
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
During the third trimester of pregnancy, the dose might need to be increased.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
January 14, 2009
Covering:
Mirochnick M et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2008 Dec 15; 49:485
How Might Viral DNA Contribute to Schizophrenia?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
New research into human endogenous retrovirus has startling results.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
January 12, 2009
Covering:
Perron H et al., Biol Psychiatry 2008 Dec 15; 64:1019
Torrey EF and Yolken RH., Biol Psychiatry 2008 Dec 15; 64:1017
Physical and Sexual Activity Not Unusual During Pregnancy
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Both physical and sexual activity were common during the third trimester, even within 2 days of labor.
Elective Repeat Cesarean Delivery at Term: What Timing Is Best?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Elective repeat cesarean delivery before 39 weeks’ gestation was associated with adverse neonatal outcomes.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
January 8, 2009
Covering:
Tita ATN et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Jan 8; 360:111
Greene MF., N Engl J Med 2009 Jan 8; 360:183
Elective Repeat Cesarean Delivery — Do Not Rush
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
The incidence of neonatal complications was higher for deliveries before 39 weeks’ gestation.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
January 7, 2009
Covering:
Tita ATN et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Jan 8; 360:111
Greene MF., N Engl J Med 2009 Jan 8; 360:183
In Utero Exposure to Valproate: A Cause of Autism?
Preliminary findings from this small study represent the first prospective observation of an association between fetal valproate exposure and ASDs.
By Martin T. Stein, MD
January 7, 2009
Covering:
Bromley RL et al., Neurology 2008 Dec 2; 71:1923
