Publications by authors named "Bettina W Paek"
Article Synopsis
- During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the risks of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in pregnant women were unclear, highlighting the need for research on infection rates in this population.
- The study aimed to estimate SARS-CoV-2 infection rates among pregnant women in Washington State and assess disparities based on race, ethnicity, and English language proficiency.
- Researchers identified 240 pregnant patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections, with over 70% belonging to minority racial and ethnic groups, indicating notable disparities in infection rates.
Article Synopsis
- Pregnant patients with COVID-19 in Washington State showed increased risks of severe disease, hospitalization, and mortality, with 1 in 11 developing severe illness and 1 in 80 dying during the study period.
- Hospitalization rates for pregnant patients were significantly higher, at 10%, compared to 2.8% for similarly aged adults, indicating a 3.5-fold increase in risk.
- Those hospitalized were more likely to have underlying health conditions, such as asthma, hypertension, and obesity, revealing a link between pre-existing morbidities and severe COVID-19 outcomes in pregnancy.
Background: The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on pregnant women is incompletely understood, but early data from case series suggest a variable course of illness from asymptomatic or mild disease to maternal death. It is unclear whether pregnant women manifest enhanced disease similar to influenza viral infection or whether specific risk factors might predispose to severe disease.
Objective: To describe maternal disease and obstetrical outcomes associated with coronavirus disease 2019 in pregnancy to rapidly inform clinical care.
Owing to vascular connections within a single placenta, monochorionic gestations present distinctive prenatal management challenges. Complications that can arise as a result of unbalanced hemodynamic exchange (twin-twin transfusion syndrome and twin anemia polycythemia sequence) and unequal placental sharing (selective fetal growth restriction) should be kept in mind while prenatal management is being planned. Because of unique monochorionic angioarchitecture, what happens to one twin can directly affect the other.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBecause they share a common placenta, monochorionic gestations are subject to unique pregnancy complications that can threaten the life and health of both fetuses and therefore impose a disproportionate disease burden on overall perinatal morbidity and mortality. Early detection of these unique disease processes may allow for prompt referral to a regional treatment center, comprehensive counseling, and better patient outcomes. The North American Fetal Therapy Network is a consortium of 30 medical institutions in the United States and Canada with established expertise in fetal surgery and other forms of multidisciplinary care for complex fetal disorders.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOne major problem for patients with myelomeningocele (MMC) is fecal incontinence. To prevent this problem, fetal surgery for repair of MMC has been recently undertaken. The strategy behind this surgery is to allow normal development of anal sphincter muscles.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation of fetal tissue in a sheep model. HIFU can deliver large amounts of thermal energy by using ultrasonic waves to induce tissue necrosis, without damaging intervening tissues. In contrast to diagnostic ultrasound where intensity levels are below 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTo determine whether fetal surgery in a fetus with myelomeningocele (MMC) allows normal development of rectal muscles and nerves, we analyzed the rectum after fetal surgery in a sheep model. An MMC lesion was surgically created in 13 fetal sheep at 75 days of gestation. One fetal sheep died after the lesion was created.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe purpose of this case report is to demonstrate the importance of prenatal imaging for treatment management of fetal giant hepatic hemangiomas. Prenatal ultrasound revealed an abdominal mass with several cystic areas and punctate calcifications in a fetus at 29 weeks' gestation. Doppler scans confirmed the highly vascular nature of the mass.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Multifetal pregnancy reduction is a widespread "therapy" to diminish the risk of prematurity and adverse outcome for the survivors in higher order multiple gestation. The aim of our study was to determine the maternal and neonatal outcome of multifetal pregnancies under a conservative pregnancy management.
Study Design: A retrospective review of 112 multifetal pregnancies is presented.