Outcomes of pregnancies complicated by liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension, or esophageal varices.

Objective: To evaluate pregnancy outcomes in women with liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension, or esophageal varices.

Study Design: We analyzed a retrospective cohort of 2,284,218 pregnancies in 2005-2009 recorded in the California Birth Registry database. Utilizing ICD-9 codes we analyzed the following outcomes for liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension, or esophageal varices in pregnancy: preeclampsia (PET), preterm delivery (PTD; <37 weeks), cesarean section, low birth weight (LBW; <2500 g), small for gestational age (SGA; <10th percentile), neonatal death (NND), and postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).

Prospective risk of fetal death with gastroschisis.

Objective: To evaluate the ongoing risk of intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) in fetuses with gastroschisis compared to non-anomalous fetuses.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of all births in the United States in 2005-2006, as recorded in the National Center for Health Statistics natality database. Risk of IUFD in fetuses with gastroschisis was compared to non-anomalous fetuses, utilizing total at-risk fetuses as the denominator.

The risk of stillbirth and infant death by each additional week of expectant management stratified by maternal age.

Objective: The objective of the study was to examine fetal/infant mortality by gestational age at term stratified by maternal age.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using 2005 US national birth certificate data. For each week of term gestation, the risk of mortality associated with delivery was compared with composite mortality risk of expectant management.

The risk of intrauterine fetal death in the small-for-gestational-age fetus.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the risk of intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses.

Study Design: We analyzed a retrospective cohort of all births in the United States in 2005, as recorded in a national database. We calculated the risk of IUFD within 3 sets of SGA threshold categories as well as within non-SGA pregnancies using the number of at-risk fetuses as the denominator.

Gestational age at delivery and perinatal outcomes of twin gestations.

Objective: The optimal gestational duration for twin gestations is unknown. Epidemiologic studies show that the lowest perinatal mortality rate for twins is at 37-38 weeks, but these studies lack information on pregnancy complications and neonatal morbidities. This study evaluates pregnancy characteristics and perinatal outcomes of twins in order to assess the optimal gestational age for delivery.

The risk of stillbirth and infant death stratified by gestational age in women with gestational diabetes.

Objective: We sought to compare the different mortality risks between delivery and expectant management in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Study Design: This is a retrospective cohort study that included singleton pregnancies of women diagnosed with GDM delivering at 36-42 weeks' gestational age in California from 1997 through 2006. A composite mortality rate was developed to estimate the risk of expectant management at each gestational age incorporating the stillbirth risk during the week of continuing pregnancy plus the infant mortality risk at the gestational age 1 week hence.

Antibiotic prophylaxis for cesarean delivery: survey of maternal-fetal medicine physicians in the U.S.

Objective: To describe practices concerning antibiotic prophylaxis for cesarean delivery among maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) physicians in the United States.

Methods: A 10-item self-administered survey about their routine use of antibiotics for cesarean delivery was mailed once only to a random sample of 1000 US-based fellows of the Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine in November 2009.

Results: There were a total of 250 respondents from 40 US states between 10/09 and 4/2010, corresponding to a response rate of 25%.

Discussion: 'Infant death among Ohio residents' by Donovan et al.

In the roundtable that follows, clinicians discuss a study published in this issue of the Journal in light of its methodology, relevance to practice, and implications for future research.

Discussion: 'Physician gender, specialty, and hysterectomy utilization' by Gretz et al.

In the roundtable that follows, clinicians discuss a study published in this issue of the Journal in light of its methodology, relevance to practice, and implications for future research. Article discussed: Gretz H, Bradley WH, Zakashansky K, et al. Effect of physician gender and specialty on utilization of hysterectomy in New York, 2001-2005.

Tracheal replacements: Part 2.

In this review, we summarize the history of tracheal reconstruction and replacement as well as progress in current tracheal substitutes. In Part 1, we covered the historical highlights of grafts, flaps, tube construction, and tissue transplants and addressed the progress made in tracheal stenting as a means of temporary tracheal support. In Part 2 we analyze solid and porous tracheal prostheses in experimental and clinical trials and provide a summary of efforts aimed at generating a bioengineered trachea.

Tracheal replacements: part 1.

In this review, we summarize the history of tracheal reconstruction and replacement as well as progress in current tracheal substitutes. In Part 1, we cover the historical highlights of grafts, flaps, tube construction, and tissue transplants and address the progress made in tracheal stenting as a means of temporary tracheal support. This is followed in Part 2 by an analysis of solid and porous tracheal prostheses in experimental and clinical trials.