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Indian J Pharmacol 2018 Nov-Dec;50(6):302-308

Department of Neurology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

The management of myasthenia gravis (MG) during pregnancy requires special skills as both diseases as well as its treatment can have deleterious effects on mother and fetus. MG often affects women in second and third decades of life during the childbearing age. Exacerbations of MG are likely to occur during the first trimester and postpartum period. Read More

J Dairy Sci 2019 Feb 13. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies. Electronic address:

Diseases of postpartum dairy cows impair reproductive processes, resulting in prolonged anestrus, reduced conception, and increased pregnancy attrition, regardless of whether the initial disease precedes insemination (even by many weeks), occurs close to insemination, or follows fertilization. Bacteria and their products activate pattern recognition receptors that respond to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP). These receptors include toll-like receptors (TLR), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors and others, and their activation culminates in upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-18, and tumor necrosis factor-α. Read More

PLoS One 2019 12;14(2):e0211955. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

Inserm UMR 1153, Obstetrical, Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology Research Team (Epopé) Center for Epidemiology and Statistics Sorbonne Paris Cité, DHU Risks in pregnancy, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France.

Objectives: Most indicators proposed for assessing quality of care in obstetrics are process indicators and do not directly measure health effects, and cannot always be identified from routinely available databases. Our objective was to propose a set of indicators to assess the quality of hospital obstetric care from maternal morbidity outcomes identifiable in permanent hospital discharge databases.

Methods: Various maternal morbidity outcomes potentially reflecting quality of obstetric care were first selected from a systematic literature review. Read More

Environ Res 2019 Apr 11;171:523-529. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Mechanistic studies support the potential for mercury (Hg) to alter immunity, including via in utero exposure. As yet, there are few prospective studies of in utero Hg exposure and subsequent immune-related outcomes, especially in infancy.

Objectives: We investigated the association of biomarkers of prenatal Hg exposure and maternal silver-mercury dental amalgams with the occurrence of infant allergy, respiratory infection, and respiratory symptoms in the first year of life. Read More

J Midwifery Womens Health 2019 Feb 10. Epub 2019 Feb 10.

Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, Nashville, Tennessee.

Herpes zoster (shingles) is the reactivation of dormant varicella zoster virus in individuals who previously experienced varicella infection or vaccination. Herpes zoster can occur in pregnancy, although it is rare. This case report describes the clinical presentation and diagnosis of herpes zoster and reviews current recommendations for treatment. Read More

Case Rep Womens Health 2019 Jan 23;21:e00097. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

University of South Alabama, Children's and Women's Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 251 Cox Street, Mobile, AL 36604, United States.

Cerebrovascular disease is not uncommon during pregnancy as a result of either venous or arterial occlusion, or a hemorrhagic event, resulting in ischemia. Pregnancy may alter the prognosis of these neurologic disorders, with increased risks of morbidity and mortality for the mother and the developing fetus. Etiologies of stroke during pregnancy and the postpartum period include preeclampsia, eclampsia, HELLP syndrome, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), amniotic fluid embolism, postpartum angiopathy, postpartum cardiomyopathy, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), cerebral venous thrombosis, CNS infections, and maternal thrombophilia. Read More

PM R 2019 Feb 6. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.

Background: Pregnant women with congenital or acquired spinal cord injury face challenges due to compromised neurological function and mobility; factors that may also affect fetal/infant health. Few studies have examined pregnancy course and longer-term outcomes in this population.

Objective: To assess pregnancy outcomes among women with spinal cord injury, paralysis, or spina bifida using population-based data. Read More

Public Health 2019 Jan 24;168:36-42. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Objective: The objective of the study is to evaluate the pattern and predictors of medical care received by hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers during pregnancy and after delivery in Hong Kong.

Study Design: The study is a retrospective analysis.

Methods: Pregnant HBV carriers and their infants were followed up for 9-12 months after delivery. Read More

Zhonghua Gan Zang Bing Za Zhi 2018 Dec;26(12):945-950

Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China.

To observe the efficacy and safety related measures by blocking mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus with high viral load and HBeAg positivity during pregnancy in Guizhou province. Outpatient and inpatient cases of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Obstetrics of Guizhou Medical University Affiliated Hospitals from May 2016 to July 2017 were retrospectively divided into intervention group, non-intervention group and non- hepatitis B pregnant women group; with 75 cases in each group. HBsAg and HBeAg were positive in the intervention group. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Jan;98(2):e14014

Department of Medicine Kidney Center.

Rationale: Adult-onset hepatitis B virus-associated membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (HBV-MPGN) is generally refractory, and an effective treatment for this condition has not been established. The indications for steroids in HBV-MPGN are an important clinical concern.

Patient Concerns: A 28-year-old woman with a chronic hepatitis B virus infection developed nephrotic syndrome in her second month of pregnancy, with urinary protein levels of 3 to 10 g/d that continued into her postpartum period. Read More

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2019 Jan 9:1-6. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

b Clinical Research Center, Fundación Valle Del Lili , Cali , Colombia.

Objective: There is lack of data on the management of severe dengue infection during labor. The objective of this study was to describe our experience in the management of preterm and term labor of pregnant patients with severe dengue infection and thrombocytopenia.

Materials And Methods: We describe patients with dengue infection confirmed by dengue serology or NS1 antigen in Cali, Colombia. Read More

Reprod Health 2019 Jan 8;16(1). Epub 2019 Jan 8.

International Research Center of Excellence, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria.

Background: Nigeria has an annual population of ~ 200,000 women who are both pregnant and HIV-positive. High unmet need for family planning in this population could lead to unintended pregnancies, along with the increased risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT). To identify modifiable barriers and facilitators in effective family planning, we examined correlates of modern contraceptive use among HIV-positive women enrolled in the MoMent prevention of MTCT (PMTCT) implementation research study in rural North-Central Nigeria. Read More

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2019 Jan 27:1-12. Epub 2019 Jan 27.

a Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology , Peoples' Friendship University of Russia , Moscow , Russia.

Objective: The aim of this prospective study was to assess the efficacy of antibiotic therapy for the prevention of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with the amniotic fluid "sludge" at 15-24 weeks of gestation.

Methods: 245 women underwent transvaginal ultrasound cervical length measurement at 15-24 weeks of pregnancy and 29 out of them with amniotic fluid "sludge" were included in the study. Eight women with the "sludge" had cervical length >25 mm (Group I), seven-an asymptomatic short cervix (Group IIa) and 14 women with a short cervix had symptoms like low abdominal pain, back pain, and menstrual-like cramps (Group IIb). Read More

Georgian Med News 2018 Nov(284):19-23

Maternity Hospital of Lutsk; Lvivsky National Medical University by Danilo Galitsky, Ukraine.

The main aim of our research was to explore influence of calcium and vitamin D on pregnancy, childbirth, qualities of babies' physical development and on the level of their electrolytes in umbilical cord blood: calcium, potassium, sodium, chlorine, and to justify the reasonability of prescription the medicine «Calcium - D3 Nikomed" to pregnant women with the risk of pre-eclampsia development. Sixty newborn babies were under the research, which were divided into two principal groups: to the major group entered 30 newborn babies, whose mothers were getting the medicine «Calcium - D3 Nikomed". To the second control group entered 30 another newborn babies, whose mothers were not receiving the mentioned vitamin-medicine. Read More

Am J Infect Control 2019 Jan 6;47(1):e7-e14. Epub 2018 Jul 6.

Public Health England, London, UK.

Background: Healthcare-associated Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in pregnant/postpartum women is underreported, especially outside of North America. We report a cluster of cases in 2 neighboring secondary care hospitals in South-East England. The objective of this study was to identify the epidemiology and risk factors for infection. Read More

PLoS One 2018 28;13(12):e0209782. Epub 2018 Dec 28.

Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Washington, DC, United States of America.

In sub-Saharan Africa, most women who test HIV negative at the first antenatal care encounter are rarely tested again during pregnancy and postpartum, yet data suggests that pregnancy is associated with increased risk of HIV acquisition compared to non-pregnant women. We describe HIV incidence during pregnancy and postpartum in Lesotho, a high prevalence setting, and factors associated with HIV seroconversion. We enrolled a cohort of HIV negative women presenting at health facilities for antenatal care and followed them through delivery up to 24 months postpartum. Read More

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2018 Dec 17;18(1):498. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Department of Woman's and Child's Health, Obstetrics and Gynecological Unit, San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Circonvallazione Gianicolense 87, 00152, Rome, Italy.

Background: Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome (HWWS) is an uncommon congenital anomaly of the female urogenital tract, characterised by uterus didelphys, obstructed hemivagina, and ipsilateral renal agenesis. We reported the difficult pregnancy course complicated by an extremely rare and unique case of this syndrome associated with ectrodactyly, a clinical combination never described in literature.

Case Presentation: A 28- year-old nulliparous woman previously diagnosed for HWWS associated with ectrodactyly of the right foot and with a history of abdominal left hemi-hysterectomy, ipsilateral salpingectomy, vaginal reconstruction when she was an adolescent. Read More

Malar J 2018 Dec 14;17(1):470. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Unit of Parasitology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Piazza Sant'Onofrio 4, 00165, Rome, Italy.

Background: Congenital malaria is usually defined as the detection of asexual forms of Plasmodium spp. in a blood sample of a neonate during perinatal age if there is no possibility of postpartum infection by a mosquito bite. The incidence of congenital malaria is highly variable and seems related to several factors, such as different diagnostic methods for Plasmodium spp. Read More

AIDS Care 2018 Dec 6:1-7. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

a Department of Health Behavior , Gillings School of Global Public Health, UNC Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , USA.

HIV-positive women who engage in postpartum unsafe sex are at risk for sexually transmitted infection (STI), unintended pregnancy, and secondary transmission of HIV to uninfected partners. One factor that may increase risk for postpartum unsafe sex among HIV-positive women is intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization; few studies, however, have examined this association. This longitudinal study examined whether patterns of psychological, physical, and sexual IPV, assessed during pregnancy, predicted unsafe sex at 14 weeks postpartum among South African women diagnosed as HIV-positive during pregnancy (n = 561). Read More

J Pediatr 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Center for Asthma Research, Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN. Electronic address:

Objectives: To test the hypothesis that maternal plasma alpha-tocopherol levels are associated with protection from childhood wheeze and that this protection is modified by gamma-tocopherol.

Study Design: We conducted a prospective nested study in the Infant Susceptibility to Pulmonary Infections and Asthma Following Respiratory Syncytial Virus Exposure birth cohort of 652 children with postpartum maternal plasma vitamin E isoforms used as a surrogate for pregnancy concentrations. Our outcomes were wheezing and recurrent wheezing over a 2-year period, ascertained using validated questionnaires. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Nov;97(48):e13251

Clinical Medicine College, Soochow University, Suzhou Jiangsu, China.

Background: Successful labor induction depends on the cervical status at the time of induction. Currently, both a Foley catheter and a dinoprostone insert are used for effective cervical ripening. This study compared the efficacy and safety of the intracervical Foley catheter and dinoprostone insert for cervical ripening to achieve successful labor induction. Read More

J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 2019 Jan 26;48(1):37-49. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of women during pregnancy and the postpartum period related to placentophagy.

Design: Mixed methods study (cross-sectional survey and online discussions).

Setting: We used social media to advertise the study to mother/parenting groups. Read More

BJOG 2018 Nov 28. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.

Objective: To investigate the association of chorioamnionitis and its duration with adverse maternal outcomes by mode of delivery.

Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Data from the Consortium on Safe Labor Study in the USA (2002-2008). Read More

PLoS One 2018 21;13(11):e0206795. Epub 2018 Nov 21.

International Center for Maternal and Newborn Health, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America.

Introduction: Reducing neonatal mortality rate (NMR) is a challenge in many low- and middle-income countries including Bangladesh. In 2014, the estimated NMR in this country was 28 per 1,000 live births. This rate is higher in rural regions compared to the national average. Read More

J Korean Med Sci 2018 Nov 25;33(47):e296. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

Department of Internal Medicine and AIDS Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Background: Antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum preventive measures with antiretroviral drugs, appropriate delivery methods, and discouraging breastfeeding significantly decrease the risk of mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Herein, we investigated the pregnancy outcomes in HIV-infected Korean women.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of childbearing-age HIV-infected women between January 2005 and June 2017 at four tertiary care hospitals in Korea. Read More

Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2018 Nov 16. Epub 2018 Nov 16.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence and predictors of cesarean scar defect (CSD) at 6 weeks postpartum in Shanghai, China.

Material And Methods: Women scheduled to receive a cesarean section (CS) were recruited from a university hospital. Surgery-related factors, pregnancy complications, routine examinations, perioperative medications, and physical signs were collected and transvaginal ultrasonography was performed to assess the presence of a CSD at 6 weeks postpartum. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2018 Nov 14;18(1):566. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.

Background: Prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) has lowered the incidence of paediatric HIV globally. The risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT) remains high in Africa, where there is a high prevalence of pregnancy and poor health-seeking behaviour among young girls and women.

Methods: In this cross-sectional, mixed-methods study, we evaluated the utilization of PMTCT services and associated factors among adolescent and young postpartum mothers aged 15 to 24 years at a public urban referral hospital in Uganda. Read More

Am J Case Rep 2018 Nov 13;19:1350-1353. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Department of Infectious Disease Pharmacy, Piedmont Columbus Regional Health, Columbus, GA, USA.

BACKGROUND Actinomyces species are normal flora of the upper respiratory, female genital, and gastrointestinal tract. Actinomyces species are generally considered to have a low virulence potential. Here we report one case of Actinomyces viscosus isolated from a neonatal blood culture as a consequence of extreme prematurity in the presence of HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count) syndrome. Read More

BMC Public Health 2018 Nov 12;18(1):1248. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

Medical Research Council, South Africa (MRC-SA), Francie van Zyl Drive, Parow, 7505, South Africa.

Background: In 2010, Rwanda adopted ART for prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV from pregnant women living with HIV during pregnancy and breasfeeding period. This study examines rates of mother-to-child-transmission of HIV at 6-10 weeks postpartum and risk factors for mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT) among HIV infected women on ART during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted between July 2011-June 2012 among HIV-exposed infants aged 6-10 weeks and their mothers/caregivers. Read More

J Dairy Sci 2019 Jan 8;102(1):715-730. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

Alltech Inc., 3031 Catnip Hill Rd., Nicholasville, KY 40356.

A farm-level stochastic simulation model was modified to estimate the cost per case of 3 foot disorders (digital dermatitis, sole ulcer, and white line disease) by parity group and incidence timing. Disorder expenditures considered within the model included therapeutics, outside labor, and on-farm labor. Disorder losses considered within the model included discarded milk, reduced milk production, extended days open, an increased risk of culling, an increased risk of death (natural or euthanized), and disease recurrence. Read More

Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol 2018 16;2018:4049212. Epub 2018 Oct 16.

Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Glenn Building, 4th Floor-412B, 69 Jesse Hill Jr Drive SE, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.

Introduction: Although rare, perinatal HIV transmission still occurs in the United States and most transmissions are preventable. We aim to identify patient barriers to antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence during pregnancy and assess patient understanding of perinatal transmission.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey recruited HIV positive postpartum women at a large safety net hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, between January 2016 and February 2018. Read More

Med J Aust 2018 Nov;209(9):409-412

Department of Health, Canberra, ACT.

Introduction: The clinical practice guidelines on pregnancy care have been developed to provide reliable and standardised guidance for health professionals providing antenatal care in Australia. They were originally released as the Clinical Practice Guidelines: Antenatal Care in two separate editions (modules 1 and 2) in 2012 and 2014. These modules have now been combined and updated to form a single set of consolidated guidelines that were publicly released in February 2018 as the Clinical Practice Guidelines: Pregnancy Care. Read More

Case Rep Womens Health 2018 Oct 19;20:e00080. Epub 2018 Sep 19.

Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Atlanta, GA, United States.

Background: Infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) during pregnancy has emerged as an increasingly recognized and prevalent condition among women of reproductive age in the United States. While screening recommendations exist for pregnant women at high risk of HCV infection, pregnant women with HCV are often under-screened, not diagnosed, or do not receive adequate follow-up, thereby increasing the risk of suboptimal maternal and infant outcomes (including in future pregnancies).

Case: A pregnant woman living with HIV presented with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Read More

Case Rep Obstet Gynecol 2018 30;2018:2670179. Epub 2018 Sep 30.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hashimoto Municipal Hospital, Wakayama, Japan.

Although toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is rare, multiorgan failure can occur without early identification and appropriate therapy. In particular, a few cases of postpartum TSS due to methicillin-resistant (MRSA) have been reported. Here, we describe a rare case in which a 32-year-old Japanese woman had TSS due to MRSA that was caused by a perineal infection after a normal vaginal delivery. Read More

Neurocrit Care 2018 Oct 25. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No.1 Eastern Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.

Background: Dehydration is associated with a higher risk of poor outcome and venous thromboembolism in acute ischemic stroke patients. However, the relationship between dehydration and prognosis in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) has not yet been investigated.

Methods: Consecutive CVT patients at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were retrospectively identified from November 2011 through January 2017. Read More

Lancet Glob Health 2018 Dec 22;6(12):e1297-e1308. Epub 2018 Oct 22.

Background: Modelled mortality estimates have been useful for health programmes in low-income and middle-income countries. However, these estimates are often based on sparse and low-quality data. We aimed to generate high quality data about the burden, timing, and causes of maternal deaths, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths in south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Read More

Arch Gynecol Obstet 2019 Jan 24;299(1):113-121. Epub 2018 Oct 24.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, 329-0498, Japan.

Aims: The aims of this study were to clarify: (i) the effectiveness of Matsubara-Yano uterine compression suture (MY) to achieve hemostasis in the presence of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) during cesarean section, (ii) the type of PPH for which MY is effective, (iii) post-operative complications of MY, and (iv) outcomes of pregnancy after MY.

Methods: This retrospective observational study was performed using medical records of patients for whom MY had been performed between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2017.

Results: MY was performed for 50 patients, with hemostasis achieved in 46 (92%). Read More

Vet Pathol 2018 Oct 24:300985818806453. Epub 2018 Oct 24.

1 Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of Zurich, Vetsuisse Faculty, Zurich, Switzerland.

Bovine abortion is a worldwide problem, but despite extensive histopathologic and molecular investigations, the cause of abortion remains unclear in about 70% of cases. Cellular debris is a commonly observed histopathologic finding in the fetal placenta and is often interpreted as necrosis. In this study, the nature of this cellular debris was characterized, and histologic changes in the normal fetal placenta during pregnancy and after delivery were assessed. Read More

Case Rep Obstet Gynecol 2018 19;2018:8924823. Epub 2018 Sep 19.

Mayo Clinic, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rochester, MN, USA.

Routine prenatal care in the United States includes screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB), which occurs in 2 to 7 percent of pregnant women and can cause urinary tract infection and pyelonephritis. We present the case of a pregnant woman affected by multidrug resistant Klebsiella induced ASB during her prenatal screen, which was untreated due to a repeat urine culture showing mixed flora; subsequently, the patient's postpartum course was complicated by pyelonephritis and perinephric abscess, concluding in a radical nephrectomy. Current recommendations are to treat ASB after two consecutive voided urine cultures showing the same bacterial strain in quantitative counts of =/> 10(5) colony forming units (cfu)/mL or a single-catheterized specimen with quantitative count of =/> 10(2) cfu/mL. Read More

J Dairy Sci 2018 Dec 11;101(12):11447-11454. Epub 2018 Oct 11.

Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.

Machine milking-induced changes in teat tissue condition, such as congestion and edema, have been associated with teat canal openness, penetrability, and thus susceptibility to new intramammary infections and diminished animal well-being. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the association of teat-end shape and machine milking-induced short-term changes in teat tissue condition. Our secondary objective was to study the association of udder-level milking characteristics and short-term changes. Read More

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2019 Jan 7;53(1):26-35. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

RPA Women and Babies, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia.

Objective: The rate of maternal and perinatal complications increases after 39 weeks' gestation in both unselected and complicated pregnancies. The aim of this study was to synthesize quantitatively the available evidence on the effect of elective induction of labor at 39 weeks on the risk of Cesarean section, and on maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Methods: PubMed, US Registry of Clinical Trials, SCOPUS and CENTRAL databases were searched from inception to August 2018. Read More

Rev Fac Cien Med Univ Nac Cordoba 2018 09 20;75(3):183-188. Epub 2018 Sep 20.

Clínica Reina Fabiola ciudad de Córdoba.

Introduction: The presence of C. trachomatis in pregnant women can cause premature rupture of membranes, postpartum endometritis and preterm birth. Clinical diagnosis is more difficult among those who have an asymptomatic infection. Read More

Vaccine 2018 10 27;36(45):6711-6717. Epub 2018 Sep 27.

Center for Bioethics and Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.

Introduction: As Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause a range of congenital anomalies, pregnant women may be a target population for vaccination in future outbreaks. Their inclusion in vaccine trials is critical to ensure safe and effective vaccines in pregnancy. Though many vaccine candidates are in development, pregnant women's willingness to participate in Zika virus vaccine research is unknown. Read More

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2018 Sep 29;18(1):386. Epub 2018 Sep 29.

Adigrat University College of Health Sciences, Adigart, Tigray, Ethiopia.

Background: The incidence of premature rupture of membranes ranges from about 5% to 10% of all deliveries. A woman with premature rupture of membranes is at risk of intra-amniotic infection, postpartum infection, endometritis, and death. A neonate born from premature rupture of membranes mother is at high risk of respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, intraventricular hemorrhage and death. Read More

J Psychol 2018 Sep 28:1-21. Epub 2018 Sep 28.

a Masaryk University.

There is evidence of transmission of stress-related dysregulation from parents to offspring during early developmental stages, leading to adverse health outcomes. This study investigates whether perinatal stress is linked to the risk of infectious diseases in children aged 7-11 years. We hypothesize that stress exposure during pregnancy and the first 6 months after birth independently predict common infectious diseases. Read More

PLoS Med 2018 Sep 26;15(9):e1002656. Epub 2018 Sep 26.

Department of Medicine, Solna, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Background: Obesity increases the risk of adverse delivery outcomes. Whether weight loss induced by bariatric surgery influences these risks remains to be determined. The objective was to investigate the risk of adverse delivery outcomes among post-surgery women compared with women without bariatric surgery history but with similar characteristics. Read More

SAHARA J 2018 12;15(1):128-137

a International Research Center of Excellence, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria , Abuja , Nigeria.

The acceptability of lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV-positive women in high-burden Nigeria, is not well-known. We explored readiness of users and providers of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services to accept lifelong ART -before Option B plus was implemented in Nigeria. We conducted 142 key informant interviews among 100 PMTCT users (25 pregnant-newly-diagnosed, 26 pregnant-in-care, 28 lost-to-follow-up (LTFU) and 21 postpartum women living with HIV) and 42 PMTCT providers in rural North-Central Nigeria. Read More

Obstet Gynecol 2018 Oct;132(4):e169-e173

Pregnant and postpartum women are at high risk of serious complications of seasonal and pandemic influenza infection. Pregnancy itself is a high-risk condition, making the potential adverse effects of influenza particularly serious in pregnant women. If a pregnant woman has other underlying health conditions, the risk of adverse effects from influenza is even greater. Read More