What's New in Women's Health?
The pandemic put all of us into survival mode. As the slow recovery begins, doctors have been able to bring to light other health topics from which attention was diverted during this time. That is the nature of this month’s cover story.
Working with the Society of Academic Specialists in General Obstetrics and Gynecology, Editorial Board Member Christine R. Isaacs, MD, and William M. Leininger, MD, did a rigorous analysis to identify key areas of women’s health that underwent notable changes. The topics touch all areas of women’s health, including infertility, cervical cancer screening, emergency contraception, axillary adenopathy in patients with recent COVID-19 vaccinations, and intrapartum oxygen supplementation effects on Category II fetal monitoring.
The article is based upon Isaacs and Leininger’s co-presentation “While You Were Slee(PPE)ing: Women’s Health Updates Beyond the Pandemic’s Priorities” at the 2021 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting (ACSM). It is packed with resources. We took a slightly different tack with the article. Senior Editor Angie DeRosa compiled the information from ACOG and it went through review by Isaacs, Leininger, and Editor-in-Chief Catherine Y. Spong, MD. The information is very valuable and we would appreciate feedback on how you might use it in your practice. This article is complemented by several others based upon presentations at ACOG, including an update on CDC STI treatment guidelines; care considerations for pregnancy in transmasculine and non-binary patients; and insight into pregnancy and fertility apps. As with all conferences these days, this was held virtually. We all certainly hope that will not be the case for other conferences to be held later this year and into 2022 as we move beyond the pandemic.
For the obstetrical peer-reviewed article this month, David B. Nelson, MD, and Rachel Schell, MD, provide their expertise on Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy (AFLP). As they write, AFLP is a rare but potentially fatal condition characterized by hepatic failure. Typically, they say, it occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy. Because of differing study populations, the reported incidence varies from 1 in 7000 to 1 in 20,000 pregnancies. They include testing protocol for the evaluation of AFLP.
In this issue, we also include another segment of Curbside Consults. These are articles with expert perspectives from doctors in disciplines outside of ob/gyn that provide insight into conditions that can affect pregnant women. New Mother’s Thumb is covered by Jonathan E. Isaacs, MD. As he explains, De Quervain tenosynovitis, as it is medically known, is actually a misnomer since the condition lacks any true inflammatory component. But it is the clinical manifestation of stenotic changes to the tendon sheath surrounding the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis tendons as they pass over the radial styloid toward their insertion points at the base of the thumb metacarpal and the proximal phalanx, respectively.
Please provide feedback by email at COGEditorial@mmhgroup.com. We always want to know what articles you find valuable and what topics you would like to read about in future issues.
Mike Hennessy Sr
Chairman and Founder, MJH Life Sciences™
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