Obstetrics News and Research

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Gynecology and obstetrics are twin subjects that deal with the female reproductive system. While obstetrics deals with pregnancy and its associated procedures and complications, gynaecology involves treating women who are not pregnant.

Metabolic profile derived from routine newborn screenings could determine infant's gestational age

Knowing if an infant was born on time or prematurely can make all the difference in deciding what medical care the baby needs.

22 Jan 2016

Pre-pregnancy obesity strongly linked to infant mortality

Pre-pregnancy obesity is strongly associated with infant mortality, and compliance with weight-gain guidelines during pregnancy has a limited impact on that mortality risk, a new study led by Boston University School of Public Health researchers shows.

21 Jan 2016

Depression in expectant parents during pregnancy increases risk of premature birth

Depression in both expectant mothers and fathers increases the risk of premature birth, finds a study published in BJOG: an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (BJOG).

20 Jan 2016

New method could improve accurate diagnosis of ovarian cancer before surgery

In a landmark study, investigators from Europe propose a new and simple method to assess the risk of malignancy of women with an adnexal mass. The method identified between 89-99% of patients with ovarian cancer using the results of ultrasound examination, which can be obtained in referral and non-referral centers.

20 Jan 2016

New QUiPP app could help doctors to better identify women at risk for preterm birth

A new app called QUiPP could help doctors to better identify women at risk of giving birth prematurely. The app, developed at King's College London, was tested in two studies of high-risk women being monitored at ante-natal clinics.

18 Jan 2016

Racial disparity in 'previable' preterm births linked to infant mortality problem

Black women are nearly four times more likely than white women to have a baby born between 16 and 22 weeks gestation, a time period in which the life of a baby outside the womb is not viable.

13 Jan 2016

New blood test could predict women at higher risk of preeclampsia

The causes of preeclampsia, a multi-system disorder that affects women in pregnancy, have not been fully elucidated. The condition, which is typically associated with high blood pressure and an increased amount of protein in the urine, affects 2 to 5 percent of pregnant women, and is one of the main reasons for complications during the second half of pregnancy. Preeclampsia is frequently diagnosed too late and, in the most severe cases, can be fatal for both mother and child.

11 Jan 2016

Promising novel approach to treat gynecologic tumors

UCLA scientists have developed a promising novel method to treat gynecologic tumors. The approach focuses on a protein called p53, which is commonly mutated in women who have high-grade serous ovarian cancer, the deadliest form of reproductive cancer. In many women with the disease, the cancer is very advanced by the time it is diagnosed and is therefore difficult to treat.

7 Jan 2016

Researchers find no evidence that prenatal exposure to antidepressants increases risk for autism, ADHD

An analysis of medical records data from three Massachusetts health care systems finds no evidence that prenatal exposure to antidepressants increases the risk for autism and related disorders or for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

6 Jan 2016

Newly discovered mechanism may help explain why some embryos not useful for fertility treatments

It's the dream of many infertile couples: to have a baby. Tens of thousands of children are born by in vitro fertilization, or IVF, a technique commonly used when nature doesn't take its course. However, embryos obtained when a sperm fertilizes an egg in a test tube often have defects.

5 Jan 2016

BioTE Medical Combat Trauma Treatment Study shows promising results in veterans with PTSD and TBI

A current BioTE Medical Combat Trauma Treatment Study (in conjunction with the Veterans Advocacy Center (VAC)) is showing promising results in helping veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

31 Dec 2015

New study outlines risk for in-hospital and out-of-hospital births in Oregon

The out-of-hospital birth setting in Oregon was associated with a higher risk of perinatal death, while the in-hospital birth setting was associated with a higher risk for cesarean delivery and other obstetric interventions (e.g., induction or augmentation of labor), according a study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University.

31 Dec 2015

Researchers suggest microorganisms in the womb set stage for health problems later in life

Researchers review importance of microorganisms that exist in the gut, suggesting perturbation of the environment during pregnancy, delivery and early infancy could impact the developing baby's early microbiome and set the stage for health problems later in life. The term "microbiome" refers to the trillions of organisms we harbor, on our skin and within our respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts.

30 Dec 2015

The Woman's Hospital of Texas delivers more than 11,000 babies in one year

For the first time in The Woman's Hospital of Texas history, the hospital delivered more than 11,000 babies in one year. Cinthia and Albert Lee and big brother Armani welcomed Alijah George into the world at 2:08 a.m. on Thursday, December 24, 2015. Alijah weighs 7 pounds, 9 ounces and is 20 inches long. The Lee's are from Houston and were thrilled to be the record-setting family.

28 Dec 2015

BIDMC, Pan American Health Organization partner to advance eHealth in Latin America, Caribbean

The Division of Clinical Informatics at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) / World Health Organization have signed a framework agreement to collaborate in supporting the advancement of eHealth in Latin America and the Caribbean. BIDMC efforts will be led by Director of Global Health Informatics Yuri Quintana, PhD.

26 Dec 2015

Commonly used diabetes drug may have potential to prevent, treat preeclampsia

An article published today in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology reports that a commonly-used drug for the treatment of diabetes, metformin, may have the potential to prevent and treat preeclampsia. Metformin has long been used to treat diabetes in both non-pregnant and pregnant patients, and is considered safe during pregnancy.

22 Dec 2015

Pelvic pain linked to poor mental health outcomes among women with endometriosis

A new study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology has found that women who suffer from pelvic pain caused by endometriosis may need psychological intervention in order to help improve their mental health and quality of life.

22 Dec 2015

CMFT adopts ZedScan system to improve cervical cancer care

DP Medical Systems Ltd has secured a deal with Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CMFT) to adopt ZedScan™ as part of its cervical cancer care pathway.

From Zilico 21 Dec 2015

New research suggests use of low-dose aspirin to prevent preeclampsia

To prevent preeclampsia, new research suggests that low-dose aspirin should be given prophylactically to all women at high risk (those with diabetes or chronic hypertension) and any woman with two or more moderate risk factors (including obesity, multiple gestation and advanced maternal age).

17 Dec 2015

Immigrant couples at lower risk of having preterm birth than Canadian-born couples

Couples who immigrate to Canada are generally at lower risk of having a preterm birth than Canadian-born couples, new research has found.