Tocolysis for preterm labor: expert opinion.

Tocolysis is an important treatment in the improvement of outcome in preterm labor and preterm birth, provided that its use follows clear evidence-based recommendations. In this expert opinion, the most recent evidence about efficacy and side effects of different tocolytics is being reviewed and evidence-based recommendation about diagnosis and treatment of preterm labor is given. Further aspects such as progesterone administration or antibiotic treatment for the prevention of preterm birth are included.

Antenatal corticosteroids for fetal lung maturation in threatened preterm delivery: indications and administration.

Introduction: Antenatal maternal administration of corticosteroids has been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality rates in preterm delivery. Threatened spontaneous or medically indicated preterm delivery for maternal or fetal indications between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation with unknown fetal lung maturity status are indications for antenatal corticosteroid administration. Recent studies have challenged current practice of antenatal glucocorticoid use.

Antiretroviral treatment during pregnancy.

Objective: Virologic failure of HIV-positive patients is of special concern during pregnancy. We compared virologic failure and the frequency of treatment changes in pregnant and non-pregnant women of the Swiss HIV Cohort Study.

Methods: Using data on 372 pregnancies in 324 women we describe antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy.

Liveborn and stillborn very low birthweight infants in Switzerland: comparison between hospital based birth registers and the national birth register.

Background And Aim: Perinatal and infant mortality rates are considered key indicators of medical care. The aim of this investigation was to examine how representative and reliable the official national figures of Switzerland are by comparing them with the data in local birth registers.

Methods: 124 of 156 maternity hospitals in Switzerland, catering for about 80% of all newborn infants, participated in the study.

Lethargy in a newborn: lithium toxicity or lab error?

Lithium medication during pregnancy is uncommon and the problems of a neonate who has been exposed to lithium represents a rare situation in neonatology. The clinical presentation and management of a newborn whose mother received lithium during pregnancy is presented. The newborn manifested a four day course of lethargy with unexplained high lithium levels in the adult toxic range.