Variations in policies for management of the third stage of labour and the immediate management of postpartum haemorrhage in Europe.

Background: The EUropean Project on obstetric Haemorrhage Reduction: Attitudes, Trial, and Early warning System (EUPHRATES) is a set of five linked projects, the first component of which was a survey of policies for management of the third stage of labour and immediate management of postpartum haemorrhage following vaginal birth in Europe.

Objectives: The objectives were to ascertain and compare policies for management of the third stage of labour and immediate management of postpartum haemorrhage in maternity units in Europe following vaginal birth.

Design: Survey of policies.

[Primary genital herpes infection in pregnancy].

A case report of primary genital herpes infection in a 36-years old pregnant woman during her second pregnancy is presented; the patient was treated according to American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines. Maternal primary herpes simplex virus (HSV) genital infection arose at the 16th week of gestation and treated orally with acyclovir 400 mg 3 times a day for a period of 10 days. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), positive on vaginal swab, resulted negative on the maternal serum and on the amniotic fluid (at the 21st week).

Estrasorb.

Novovax Inc has developed and launched Estrasorb, a transdermally absorbed, micro-encapsulated estradiol, as an estrogen replacement therapy for short-term use in the reduction of vasomotor symptoms in menopausal women. Estrasorb was launched in the US in April 2004.

Soy isoflavones and melatonin for the relief of climacteric symptoms: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized study.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of soy isoflavones and melatonin in relieving menopausal symptoms.

Methods: Double-blind, multicenter, randomized trial performed according to a 2 x 2 factorial design. Treatment groups: (1) soy isoflavones+melatonin; (2) soy isoflavones alone; (3) melatonin alone; (4) placebo.