Oral iron replacement vs. IV iron treatment in bariatric surgery patients with anemia.

Bariatric surgery has become a recognized tool to reduce weight and resolve or improve comorbid conditions associated with obesity. Patients with obesity are at risk for nutritional deficiencies because of poor-quality diets and the chronic inflammatory state of obesity. Iron deficiency is common in these patients, with incidence rates as high as 21.

Postpartum hemorrhage.

Postpartum hemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide, and incidence in the United States, although lower than in some resource-limited countries, remains high. Women of color are at a disproportionate risk of developing a life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage. Risk assessment tools are available but because they lack specificity and sensitivity, all pregnant women are considered at risk.

Overview of breast cancer.

Each year, more than 250,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Although overall mortality for breast cancer patients has declined, it is still the second most common cause of cancer death in women. This article provides an overview of nonmetastatic breast cancer in women, including general features, diagnostic considerations, and treatments for the most common breast cancer subtypes.

Procalcitonin-guided treatment of lower respiratory tract infections.

The FDA recently approved a procalcitonin assay for use in hospitals and EDs to help prescribers determine if an antibiotic should be prescribed and for what duration. This article reviews the use of procalcitonin testing and evidence-based medical decision-making for patients with sepsis or lower respiratory tract infections.

Caring for a patient with first-trimester bleeding.

This article provides a review of the general features, clinical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Understanding the new pregnancy and lactation drug labeling.

Recent changes to the FDA's drug labeling rules clarify the risk of drugs for patients who are pregnant or lactating and remove A, B, C, D, and X as risk categories. Drugs are now categorized by risk for pregnancy, lactation, and women and men of reproductive potential. Risk summaries and clinical considerations in the new labeling can help prescribers and patients make informed decisions about medication use.