Prevalence and Diagnosis of PCOS Using Electronic Health Records: A Scoping Review and a Database Analysis.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age. It increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, endometrial cancer, infertility, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm birth. Accurately identifying predictors of these health risks is crucial.

Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome amongst Females Aged between 15 and 45 Years at a Major Women's Hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Objective criteria have been scarce in published data on the occurrence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is crucial that we enhance our comprehension of PCOS prevalence in the UAE to inform key stakeholders about the disease's burden and enable comparisons with other nations. This research aimed to examine the PCOS prevalence at a large academic tertiary centre in Dubai, UAE, called Latifa Women and Children's Hospital.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): Does the Challenge End at Conception?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent condition that not only has the potential to impede conception but also represents the most common endocrine dysfunction in fertile women. It is considered a heterogeneous and multifaceted disorder, with multiple reproductive and metabolic phenotypes which differently affect the early- and long-term syndrome's risks. Undoubtedly, the impact of PCOS on infertility has attracted most of the attention of healthcare providers and investigators.

Effect of Sustained Uterine Compression versus Uterine Massage on Blood Loss after Vaginal Delivery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of sustained uterine compression versus uterine massage in reducing blood loos after a vaginal delivery.

Study Design: This was a prospective randomized trial conducted at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) between October 2015 and October 2017. Inclusion criteria were women with a singleton pregnancy at ≥36 weeks of gestation, with less than three previous deliveries, who were candidates for vaginal delivery.

A review of prenatal HIV screening practices among physicians at a tertiary care center in Lebanon: is it culture?

HIV remains one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity among women of reproductive age; given the risk of vertical transmission to the fetus, timely prevention, monitoring and management are imperative (Melaku et al. [2014]. Causes of death among females-investigating beyond maternal causes: A community-based longitudinal study.

Episiotomy practice in the Middle East: A Lebanese teaching tertiary care centre experience.

Problem: There is lack of data on the rate of episiotomy in Lebanon and the study's hospital.

Background: Only a few studies have addressed episiotomy practice in Lebanon and the Middle East and they show varying rates.

Aim: To identify the rate, and change in rate, of episiotomy practice over the years at a teaching hospital in Lebanon and to assess whether maternal age, parity, fetal weight, woman's hospital admission class, and physician's gender were associated with episiotomy.

Impact and management of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in women's health.

Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia are highly prevalent among women throughout their lives. Some females are particularly vulnerable to iron deficiency/iron deficiency anemia, including those with heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) and pregnant/postpartum women. Despite the high prevalence of iron deficiency/iron deficiency anemia in women, the condition is still underdiagnosed and therefore undertreated, with serious clinical consequences.

To ignore or not to ignore placental calcifications on prenatal ultrasound: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: The human placenta is known to calcify with advancing gestational age, and, in fact, the presence of significant calcifications is one of the components of grade III placenta, typical of late gestation. As such, the presence of significant placental calcifications often prompts obstetric providers to expedite delivery. This practice has been attributed, in part, to the presumed association between grade III placenta and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome: An Updated Overview.

Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common metabolic and reproductive disorders among women of reproductive age. Women suffering from PCOS present with a constellation of symptoms associated with menstrual dysfunction and androgen excess, which significantly impacts their quality of life. They may be at increased risk of multiple morbidities, including obesity, insulin resistance, type II diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease (CVD), infertility, cancer, and psychological disorders.

Dydrogesterone use in early pregnancy.

Successful oocyte implantation and a favorable pregnancy outcome rely on optimal progesterone levels. Therefore, progesterone deficiencies associated with infertility and miscarriage have commonly been treated with progestogens that mimic the activity of progesterone. Among those is dydrogesterone, an oral retrosteroid with a structure closely related to that of progesterone yet with a greater bioavailability and higher selectivity for the progesterone receptor.

Fetomaternal Hemorrhage following Placement of an Intrauterine Pressure Catheter: Report of a New Association.

Fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH) can be associated with significant perinatal mortality. Our review of the literature did not identify any cases of FMH following placement of an intrauterine pressure catheter (IUPC). In our case, an IUPC was inserted in a patient undergoing induction of labor at term.

Echogenic intracardiac focus on second trimester ultrasound: prevalence and significance in a Middle Eastern population.

Objective: The association between echogenic intracardiac focus (EIF) and trisomy 21 is well established, with a recognized ethnic variation. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of EIF in a Middle Eastern population and to examine its association with trisomy 21 and other adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: Retrospective case-control study of second-trimester obstetric sonograms (16-28 weeks) performed at a tertiary care center over a 5-year period.

Use of antenatal corticosteroids in the management of preterm delivery.

Objective: This narrative review of the literature explores the current evidence and recommendations in favor of antenatal corticosteroids use during impending preterm deliveries as well as related issues and concerns.

Study Design: Synthesis of findings from published medical literature on antenatal corticosteroids and prematurity, retrieved from searches of computerized databases and authoritative texts.

Results: It is now recognized that an intramuscular course of betamethasone or dexamethasone given to a woman expected to deliver preterm not only accelerates pulmonary epithelial development but also matures other organ systems, significantly decreasing the chances of neonatal morbidities and increasing chances of survival.

Gastroschisis: incidence and prediction of growth restriction.

Aims: Fetuses with gastroschisis are at increased risk of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). However, there is a tendency for underestimation of fetal abdominal circumference and hence fetal weight, leading to overdiagnosis of IUGR. Our objective was to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasound for the prediction of being small for gestational age (SGA) at birth in these cases.

Recurrent twin pregnancy, with the second a heterotopic pregnancy, following clomiphene citrate stimulation: an unusual case and a review of the literature.

Multiple gestations are on the rise with the advent of artificial reproductive technologies. Even with ovulation induction using clomiphene citrate alone, the twinning rate can reach up to 9 percent. We report a case of recurrent twin gestation after treatment with clomiphene citrate, with the second pregnancy being heterotopic.

Impact of cervical effacement and fetal station on progress during the first stage of labor: a biexponential model.

Objective: To develop a model that uses cervical effacement, fetal station, and parity to predict progress during the first stage of labor.

Study Design: This was a secondary analysis of a cohort of 1,128 parturients delivering after 34 weeks. Timed cervical exams from each patient were fit with a biexponential model.

Role of capsaicin in a murine model of labor and delivery.

Background: The objectives of this study were to develop a murine model of labor and delivery and to use this model to examine whether capsaicin diminishes labor pain and expedites delivery.

Methods: To develop a murine model of labor pain, the authors identified and compared the incidence of four proposed pain behaviors in 46 mice: (1) No analgesia in labor and the postpartum period, and (2) increasing doses of an analgesic, morphine. The model was then used to examine the impact of topical cervical capsaicin on: (1) labor pain behaviors and (2) labor progress by examining its impact on the time from treatment to delivery of the first pup and on the duration of delivery per pup.

Accuracy and reliability of fetal heart rate monitoring using maternal abdominal surface electrodes.

Objective: Compare the accuracy and reliability of fetal heart rate identification from maternal abdominal fetal electrocardiogram signals (ECG) and Doppler ultrasound with a fetal scalp electrode.

Design: Prospective open method equivalence study.

Setting: Three urban teaching hospitals in the Northeast United States.

Intrauterine growth restriction with abnormal umbilical artery Dopplers: a harbinger for preeclampsia?

Objective: To determine whether abnormal umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry in the setting of unexplained intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is predictive of preeclampsia.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies diagnosed with unexplained IUGR between 2005 and 2008. Subjects were classified based on the presence or absence of abnormal Dopplers.

Early fetal echocardiography: ready for prime time?

The objective of this study was to examine the performance of early fetal echocardiography as a screening tool for major cardiac defects in a high-risk population. Fetal echocardiograms performed at 12 to 16 weeks were reviewed. Cases that did not undergo a follow-up echocardiogram at 18 to 22 weeks were excluded.

Trauma in pregnancy: a systematic approach.

Trauma in pregnancy remains one of the major contributors to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Potential complications include maternal injury or death, shock, internal hemorrhage, intrauterine fetal demise, direct fetal injury, abruptio placentae, and uterine rupture. The leading causes of obstetric trauma are motor vehicle accidents, falls, assaults, and gunshots, and ensuing injuries are classified as blunt abdominal trauma, pelvic fractures, or penetrating trauma.

The patient with asymptomatic shortened cervix at 23 to 28 weeks: is delivery imminent?

We investigated whether the presence of symptoms predicts the timing of subsequent spontaneous preterm birth in a cohort of women with cervical length (CL) <1.5 cm. A retrospective cohort study was conducted that included patients from 23 to 28 weeks' gestation with a CL <1.

Pre-eclampsia and the kidney.

Pre-eclampsia is a multisystem disorder that is unique to pregnancy, affecting at least 5% of all gravidas. The mainstay of this diagnosis is a combination of new-onset hypertension and proteinuria. The kidney deserves particular attention because of the physiologic as well as pathologic changes that can affect this vital organ in pregnancy.

Obstetric emergencies.

Uterine rupture, uterine inversion, and pelvic lacerations/hematomas are all associated with increased risk for hemorrhage at the time of delivery. Certain clinical factors will increase the likelihood that these complications will occur, and clinical management can be adapted to reduce risk. Prior cesarean section is a significant risk factor for uterine rupture, with the degree of risk directly related to the location and quantity of prior uterine incisions.

Cesarean delivery in the developing world.

Two trends are apparent regarding cesarean delivery in the developing world. In the least developed countries, access to the procedure remains limited at levels much less than 5% of all births. This limited access is linked with increases in maternal and neonatal mortality.