Another Safe Path to Conception in HIV-Serodiscordant Couples?
A small study raises the question of whether, when the infected male partner is optimally treated, pre-exposure prophylaxis may someday replace assisted reproductive technologies.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
October 31, 2011
Covering:
Vernazza PL et al., AIDS 2011 Oct 23; 25:2005
Mastro TD et al., AIDS 2011 Oct 23; 25:2049
Pregnancy, Contraception, and Risk for HIV Infection
Women's Health Summary and Comment
High progesterone levels associated with pregnancy or injectable contraception can double risk for acquiring and transmitting HIV infection.
By Eleanor Bimla Schwarz, MD, MS
October 27, 2011
Covering:
Mugo NR et al., AIDS 2011 Sep 24; 25:1887
Heffron R et al., Lancet Infect Dis 2011 Oct 4
Prenatal Folic Acid Lowers Risk for Language Delay
Women's Health Summary and Comment
The benefits of folic acid supplementation extend to language development during early childhood.
Fetal Echocardiography Echoes Normal Ultrasound Results
Women's Health Summary and Comment
No major congenital heart defects were detected in fetuses of women with normal obstetric screening ultrasound results.
Updated Guidelines for Perinatal Antiretroviral Use
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
The revision includes several new clinical recommendations, as well as a provocative discussion on when to start antiretrovirals in pregnant women who do not require treatment for their own health.
By Sally Hodder, MD
October 24, 2011
Covering:
Panel on Treatment of HIV-Infected Pregnant Women and Prevention of Perinatal Transmission.,
Treating Pemphigus During Pregnancy
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Although IVIg is labeled pregnancy Category C, it is likely an excellent choice of therapy.
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
October 21, 2011
Covering:
Ahmed AR and Gürcan HM., J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2011 Sep; 25:1073
Navigating Among the Options in Antenatal Screening
Women can be offered first-trimester screening, integrated first- and second-trimester screening, or second-trimester quadruple screening.
By Barbara O'Brien, MD, and Katharine Wenstrom, MD
October 20, 2011
Screening for Down Syndrome: Why, When, and How
Women's Health Patient Information
Evaluation during pregnancy can include blood tests, ultrasound examinations, chorionic villus sampling, and amniocentesis.
Does Prophylactic Misoprostol Lead to a Better IUD Placement Experience?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Misoprostol did not alleviate pain or affect ease of insertion.
Intrauterine Devices Might Prevent More Than Pregnancy
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Meta-analysis shows that IUDs provide protection against cervical cancer.
Vaginal or Cesarean Delivery: Which Is Harder on the Pelvic Floor?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Vaginal birth was associated with higher risk for pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence 5 to 10 years postpartum.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
October 13, 2011
Covering:
Handa VL et al., Obstet Gynecol 2011 Oct; 118:777
Nygaard I., Obstet Gynecol 2011 Oct; 118:774
Effect of Maternal PTSD on Gestational Duration and Birth Weight
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Infants born to women with post-traumatic stress disorder had lower birth weights; child abuse–related PTSD was associated with shorter gestation.
Hormonal Contraception May Increase Risk for HIV Infection
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
Women using hormonal contraception — especially injectable forms — had a twofold increase in the risk for both acquiring and transmitting HIV infection.
By Paul E. Sax, MD
October 7, 2011
Covering:
Heffron R et al., Lancet Infect Dis 2011 Oct 4
Sperm Washing with Assisted Reproduction — Safe and Effective for HIV-Serodiscordant Couples
In a group of studies that involved more than 1700 HIV-serodiscordant couples undergoing sperm washing with assisted reproduction, none of the women or newborns seroconverted to HIV-positive.
By Carole Gilling-Smith, MD, PhD
October 7, 2011
Covering:
Vitorino RL et al., Fertil Steril 2011 Apr; 95:1684
NSAIDs and Early Pregnancy Failure
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use during early pregnancy was associated with excess risk for miscarriage — but the case against NSAIDs as a causal agent remains largely unproven.
Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: Who's at Risk?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Women 40 or older, certain racial and ethnic minorities, and those with severe anemia had greater likelihood of developing heart failure during pregnancy.
Ongoing Consequences of In Utero Diethylstilbestrol Exposure
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
DES-exposed women have long-term excess risk for adverse reproductive, obstetric, and neoplastic events.
MELD Score Predicts Outcomes in Pregnant Women with Cirrhosis
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
A MELD score
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
September 30, 2011
Covering:
Westbrook RH et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2011 Aug; 9:694
The Volume–Quality Relation in Obstetrics
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Providers with lower annual delivery rates had higher maternal obstetric complication rates.
Sorting Out the Effects of Obesity on Risk for Postpartum Hemorrhage
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Risk for atonic uterine hemorrhage (but not for hemorrhage secondary to retained placenta) rose with maternal body-mass index.
Key Obstetric Risk Factors for Cerebral Palsy
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Upper respiratory and gastrointestinal infections were <$EMPH_O>not<$EMPH_C> among the maternal infections associated with CP.
ACOG Updates Guidelines for Thromboembolism During Pregnancy
Women's Health Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
New recommendations provide some flexibility in prevention and management.
By Allison Bryant, MD, MPH
September 22, 2011
Covering:
ACOG Committee on Practice Bulletins–Obstetrics., Obstet Gynecol 2011 Sep; 118:718
Unintended Pregnancy in the U.S.: Unmet Objectives
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Despite U.S. government goals, rates have not dropped during the past decade.
Migraine, Pregnancy, and Blood Pressure
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Migraine was associated with slightly higher blood pressures during pregnancy; obese migraineurs were at highest risk for preeclampsia.
Pregnancy-Related Stroke: An Ominous Trend?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Incidence of stroke during pregnancy and postpartum is on the rise.
