Diagnostic accuracy of a rapid diagnostic test for the early detection of COVID-19.

Objectives: This study was undertaken to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card rapid antigen assay (Abbott; Chicago, IL, USA) in the detection of COVID-19 infection compared to the reference standard of PCR testing.

Methods: We evaluated the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card rapid antigen assay relative to a standard reference PCR test. We tested 3810 nasal swabs from symptomatic and asymptomatic adults undergoing surveillance COVID-19 testing at Howard University using one swab for each nostril.

Acute respiratory failure in pregnancy.

The maternal respiratory tract undergoes significant anatomic and physiologic changes during pregnancy, which increase maternal susceptibility to respiratory failure. Respiratory failure in pregnancy is relatively rare, but it remains one of the leading conditions requiring intensive care unit admission in pregnancy and carries a high risk of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Acute respiratory failure can result from a variety of conditions, most of which are not pulmonary in origin.

Analysis of disease in the obstetric intensive care unit at a university referral center: a 24-month review of prospective data.

Objective: To determine the current spectrum of disease in an obstetric population resulting in admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) at a tertiary care hospital.

Study Design: Analysis of data from obstetric patients admitted for critical care management at the University of Maryland Medical Center over a 24-month period.

Results: Critical care admission was required for 34 (1.

Shoulder dystocia: using simulation to train providers and teams.

Shoulder dystocia is an obstetric emergency that requires immediate recognition and a well-coordinated response. This response must include effective application of the maneuvers proven to relieve the impaction of the fetal shoulder and timely hand-off of the newborn to the neonatology team. The rare frequency of shoulder dystocia, coupled with patient safety concerns and the medico-legal environment, limits the opportunity of providers to learn and practice the management of shoulder dystocia.

Gravid hysterectomy: a decade of experience at an academic referral center.

Objective: To evaluate the incidence of gravid hysterectomy (GH) and to examine the indications as well as risk factors and complications associated with the procedure at an academic perinatal referral center.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent GH from 1991 to 2001. Demographics, obstetric history, delivery information, complications and outcome were analyzed.

Obesity and pregnancy complications.

Maternal obesity increases the risk of numerous complications of pregnancy, labor, and birth for both mother and neonate, including diabetes and hypertensive disorders. As more women enter pregnancy with a body mass index (BMI) indicative of overweight or obesity, providers of obstetric care should be aware of the implications of this increased BMI on perinatal outcomes as well as become familiar with management options.

Chronic hypoxia differentially increases glutathione content and gamma-glutamyl cysteine synthetase expression in fetal guinea pig organs.

Objective: Glutathione is a natural antioxidant in the fetus and adult. We sought to determine whether maternal hypoxia alters glutathione levels in fetal organs as an adaptive response to the reduced oxygenation.

Study Design: Timed pregnant guinea pigs were housed in either a Plexiglas chamber containing 10.

Kleihauer-betke testing is important in all cases of maternal trauma.

Background: In maternal trauma, the Kleihauer-Betke (KB) test has traditionally been used to detect transplacental hemorrhage (TPH), so that Rh-negative women could receive appropriate Rh immune prophylaxis. Reasoning that the magnitude of TPH would reflect uterine injury, we evaluated Kleihauer-Betke testing as an independent predictor of preterm labor (PTL) after maternal trauma.

Methods: Admissions to the Shock Trauma Center, University of Maryland, from January 1996 to January 2002, were reviewed.