Maternal obstructive sleep apnea and neonatal birth outcomes in a population based sample.

Objective: Evaluate the association of OSA with birth outcomes including the risk of congenital anomalies and the need for a higher level of clinical care at delivery.

Methods: Population-based study that linked newborn records with maternal records. Data from 95 perinatal centers across all geographic census divisions of the U.

Obstructive sleep apnea in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal outcomes: a national cohort.

Objective: Pregnancy and the obesity epidemic impacting women of reproductive age appear to predispose women to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in pregnancy. The aim of this study is to examine the association between OSA and adverse maternal outcomes in a national cohort.

Methods: The National Perinatal Information Center in the US was used to identify women with a delivery discharge diagnosis of OSA from 2010 to 2014.

Use of first or second trimester serum markers, or both, to predict preeclampsia.

Objectives: Preeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy, threatening fetal and maternal health. The aim of our study is to examine the association between preeclampsia and biochemical markers, in matched first and second trimester maternal serum samples.

Study Design: This is a nested case/control study derived from the cohort of pregnancies delivering at Women & Infants Hospital.

The pregnant heart: cardiac emergencies during pregnancy.

Background: Cardiovascular emergencies in pregnant patients are often considered a rare event; however, heart disease as a cause of maternal mortality is steadily increasing.

Discussion: In this article, we review 3 common cardiovascular emergencies and the important subtle differences in their treatment in the pregnant patient: peripartum/postpartum cardiomyopathy, acute myocardial infarction, and cardiac resuscitation.

Conclusion: Managing these conditions in the emergency department setting requires a high index of suspicion, knowledge of anatomical and physiologic changes associated with pregnancy, and updated management strategies related to optimizing maternal and fetal health.

Antepartum dalteparin versus no antepartum dalteparin for the prevention of pregnancy complications in pregnant women with thrombophilia (TIPPS): a multinational open-label randomised trial.

Background: Thrombophilias are common disorders that increase the risk of pregnancy-associated venous thromboembolism and pregnancy loss and can also increase the risk of placenta-mediated pregnancy complications (severe pre-eclampsia, small-for-gestational-age infants, and placental abruption). We postulated that antepartum dalteparin would reduce these complications in pregnant women with thrombophilia.

Methods: In this open-label randomised trial undertaken in 36 tertiary care centres in five countries, we enrolled consenting pregnant women with thrombophilia at increased risk of venous thromboembolism or with previous placenta-mediated pregnancy complications.

Special hematologic issues in the pregnant patient.

Evaluation and treatment of hematologic disorders in pregnancy requires an understanding of normal physiologic changes during pregnancy. Hematologic disorders may be caused by preexisting conditions, normal physiologic changes, or can be acquired. A multidisciplinary approach is often necessary for monitoring and treatment of both the mother and the fetus.

Pulmonary embolism in pregnancy.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the leading cause of maternal mortality in the developed world. Mortality from PE in pregnancy might be related to challenges in targeting the right population for prevention, ensuring that diagnosis is suspected and adequately investigated, and initiating timely and best possible treatment of this disease. Pregnancy is an example of Virchow's triad: hypercoagulability, venous stasis, and vascular damage; together these factors lead to an increased incidence of venous thromboembolism.

Early onset preeclampsia and second trimester serum markers.

Objective: To examine serum markers measured in the second trimester to identify women who subsequently develop preeclampsia.

Methods: Clinically defined preeclampsia was confirmed in 45 women who had provided a serum sample as part of Down syndrome screening. Preeclampsia was categorized as mild or severe, as well as early (<32 weeks) or late onset.

The impact of an educational pamphlet on knowledge and anxiety in women with preeclampsia.

Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate whether or not an educational pamphlet could improve knowledge without increasing anxiety in women with preeclampsia.

Methods: One hundred women recruited from an inpatient setting with suspected or proven preeclampsia were asked to answer a questionnaire assessing demographics, knowledge (primary outcome), anxiety and satisfaction (secondary outcomes) after being randomized to an intervention group (who received a pamphlet) or a control group (who did not received a pamphlet). The pamphlet and questionnaire, both designed by a multidisciplinary team, were read and answered at the same time.

The incidence of deep vein thrombosis in women undergoing cesarean delivery.

Introduction: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in the United States. Cesarean delivery is a known risk factor. This study was to determine the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) post cesarean delivery.