Obesity as a risk factor for failed trial of labor in patients with previous cesarean delivery.

Objective: This study was undertaken to determine whether obesity is a risk factor for failed trial of labor (TOL) in women with previous cesarean delivery (CD).

Study Design: We performed a review of singleton gestations 36 weeks or greater with previous CD who underwent TOL from January 1998 to June 2002, stratifying by body mass index (BMI, kg/m2): normal (BMI <25), overweight (BMI 25-29.9), obese (BMI 30-39.

Atypical presentation of pheochromocytoma as part of multiple endocrine neoplasia IIa in pregnancy.

Background: Pheochromocytoma in pregnancy is extremely dangerous, especially when unrecognized, and can present alone or as part of a multineoplastic syndrome. Hypertension, its hallmark, is not present in all cases, particularly in women with multiple endocrine neoplasia type IIa.

Case: We report a gravida with undiagnosed multiple endocrine neoplasia IIa who presented initially with peripartum cardiomyopathy but was diagnosed with an underlying pheochromocytoma.

West Nile virus encephalitis during pregnancy.

Background: West Nile virus is an emerging pathogen in the United States. Although most cases are subclinical, serious infection can occur in the form of fulminant meningoencephalitis.

Case: We present a case of West Nile virus meningoencephalitis complicating pregnancy.