Aspirin may prevent heart attacks, but probably not cancer
September 1st 2005While low-dose aspirin may help prevent heart disease, a randomized, placebo-controlled study of almost 40,000 women finds that alternate day use of 100 mg aspirin for an average of 10 years does not lower the risk of total, breast, or colorectal cancer.
No more inhaled nitric oxide for premature infants?
September 1st 2005Contrary to some previous findings, inhaled nitric oxide therapy does not reduce the risk of death or further lung problems in premature infants weighing less than 1,500 g and should not be administered to this population, according to a study by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health. However, a separate prospective, longitudinal study of similarly sick and premature infants found that those treated with nitric oxide at birth had improved neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years of age.
Treatment of gestational diabetes reduces perinatal morbidity
August 1st 2005Women with gestational diabetes who receive dietary advice, blood glucose monitoring, and insulin therapy as needed experience significantly fewer serious perinatal complications and seem to have a higher health-related quality of life than women who receive routine care; however, more of them have their labor induced and more of their infants are admitted to the neonatal nursery.
Treatment of gestational diabetes reduces perinatal morbidity
August 1st 2005Women with gestational diabetes who receive dietary advice, blood glucose monitoring, and insulin therapy as needed experience significantly fewer serious perinatal complications and seem to have a higher health-related quality of life than women who receive routine care; however, more of them have their labor induced and more of their infants are admitted to the neonatal nursery.
Grand Rounds: Could better trichomoniasis screening curb more serious STIs?
August 1st 2005Because Tv infection is so widespread, increases with age, and—according to important new evidence—raises the risk of both acquiring and shedding HIV, accurately diagnosing this sexually transmitted infection may be an important strategy in fighting the HIV epidemic.
Does obesity make a woman less fertile?
August 1st 2005No, according to a recent study of over 500 first cycle recipients of donor oocytes. Obese recipients do not have significantly lower rates of implantation or pregnancy or significantly higher rates of spontaneous abortions than women who are underweight, overweight (but not obese), or of normal weight.
Uterine evacuation in the office
July 1st 2005Outpatients undergoing early uterine evacuations in your office require a safe environment and a clinician with a thorough knowledge of the medical and surgical techniques. This practical review provides protocols for medical abortion and early pregnancy failures and guides you through the manual vacuum aspiration procedure.
Grand Rounds: Counseling couples on risks of early preterm delivery of triplets
July 1st 2005Cervical length assessment is just one of several powerful tools for detecting or excluding patients at risk for preterm birth. An expert tells how to assess and counsel a patient pregnant with triplets on her chances of carrying all three fetuses to at least 32 weeks.
Preventing pregnancy loss with aspirin and low-molecular-weight heparin
July 1st 2005Low-dose aspirin combined with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) during pregnancy is just as safe and effective as aspirin with unfractionated heparin (UFH) for preventing recurrent pregnancy loss due to antiphospholipid syndrome, according to a prospective, controlled, multicenter pilot study.
Editorial: Caduceus—or Asklepian?
July 1st 2005The caduceus is the modern American symbol of the medical profession. But the Asklepian, which I encountered on a recent trip to the Greek island of Kos, may be a far better emblem for the values we as ob/gyns hold dear. Allow me to explain the import of two snakes versus one.
Grand Rounds: Prolonged pregnancy: How long do you wait?
June 1st 2005Postterm birth seems to get a lot less attention than preterm birth when clinicians are discussing the risks of complications and death. But, unlike babies born too soon, timely delivery can almost entirely prevent the risks—including stillbirth—linked with prolonged pregnancy.