Parental Age and the Risk of Gestational Hypertension and Preeclampsia.

Objectives: To determine the effect of maternal age (MA) and paternal age (PA) on the risk of gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia in women who delivered on the Texas-Mexico border.

Methods: A cohort study using birth certificate data (singleton pregnancies, years 2005-2010) from El Paso County, Texas, was conducted. Six parental age-exposure categories were created with MA 20 to 34 years and PA younger than 35 years serving as the referent.

Amount of polyhydramnios attributable to diabetes may be less than previously reported.

Aim: To evaluate the frequency and the quantity of polyhydramnios attributable to diabetes in pregnancy.

Methods: The charts of patients with a four-quadrant amniotic fluid index (AFI) ≥ 20 cm and either a diagnosis of diabetes or a diabetes screening test during the index pregnancy were retrospectively reviewed. AFI was stratified into 5 categories and the frequency of diabetes was evaluated for each group.

Retrospective evaluation of continuous rate infusion of regular insulin intravenously for the management of feline diabetic ketoacidosis.

The use and efficacy of continuous rate infusion (CRI) of regular insulin intravenously for the treatment of feline diabetic ketoacidosis was retrospectively evaluated. The study focused on the rate of glucose decline, time to resolution of inappetence, time to long-term injectable insulin, and length of hospital stay. Review of medical records from 2009 to 2011 identified 10 cases that met the inclusion criteria.

Is the protocol for induction of labor in singletons applicable to twin gestations?

Objective: To evaluate the success of induction of labor in twin gestations using standard protocols for misoprostol and oxytocin designed for singleton gestations.

Study Design: This retrospective cohort study involved all diamniotic twin gestations that were induced at > or = 32 weeks' gestation with intact membranes. Two singleton pregnancies were matched for each twin pregnancy.

Pulmonary embolism and amniotic fluid embolism in pregnancy.

Amniotic fluid embolism and pulmonary embolism are 2 of the most common causes of maternal mortality in the developed world. Symptoms of pulmonary embolism include tachycardia, tachypnea, and shortness of breath, all of which are common complaints in pregnancy. Heightened awareness leads to rapid diagnosis and institution of therapy.

Metformin compared with glyburide in gestational diabetes: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of metformin with glyburide for glycemic control in gestational diabetes.

Methods: Patients with gestational diabetes who did not achieve glycemic control on diet were randomly assigned to metformin (n=75) or glyburide (n=74) as single agents. The primary outcome was glycemic control.

A randomized clinical trial comparing vaginal misoprostol versus cervical Foley plus oral misoprostol for cervical ripening and labor induction.

We compared labor induced by vaginal misoprostol versus a supracervical Foley catheter and oral misoprostol. Singleton pregnancies at > or = 24 weeks' gestation were randomized to either an initial 25-microg dose of intravaginal misoprostol, followed by 50-microg intravaginal doses at 3- to 6-hour intervals, or a supracervical Foley balloon and 100 microg of oral misoprostol at 4- to 6-hour intervals. Primary outcome was time from induction to delivery.

Recurrent risk of adverse pregnancy outcome.

It is an unfortunate fact that all pregnancies do not end with healthy babies and healthy mothers. Families who have experienced an adverse pregnancy outcome require accurate information about the risk of recurrence to plan future childbearing. This article examines the recurrence risk of four complications of pregnancy: gestational diabetes, preterm delivery, stillbirth, and preeclampsia.

Consumptive coagulopathy associated with Gorham syndrome and subsequent Kasabach-Merritt syndrome during pregnancy: a case report.

Background: Gorham and Kasabach-Merritt syndrome are rare diagnoses that can complicate pregnancy by increasing the risk of pelvic fracture and consumptive coagulopathy, respectively.

Case: A 23-year-old woman, gravida 2, para 0101, with a prenatal diagnosis of Gorham syndrome from her previous pregnancy was admitted at 32 weeks' gestation with severe back and flank pain. Computed tomographic findings revealed multiple lytic lesions of the pelvis in addition to large hemangiomas.

Metformin and insulin in the management of gestational diabetes mellitus: preliminary results of a comparison.

Objective: To compare glycemic control and neonatal outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) treated with metformin vs. insulin.

Study Design: Women with GDM not controlled with diet and exercise were randomized to metformin (n = 32) or insulin (n = 31).

Elective induction of labor.

Induction of labor rates have more than doubled nationwide in the past 15 years. The increase in medically induced inductions was slower than the overall increase, suggesting that inductions for marginal or elective reasons rose more rapidly. Elective inductions seem to account for at least half of all inductions and 10% of all deliveries.

Consequences of routine delivery at 38 weeks for A-2 gestational diabetes.

Objective: To report our intrapartum experience with routine delivery at 38 weeks of gestation of A-2 diabetic pregnancies requiring primarily oral hypoglycemic therapy.

Methods: This retrospective study consisted of 143 consecutive women with gestational diabetes not controlled with diet alone (A-2). Each underwent a routine trial of labor at 38 weeks of gestation.

Evaluation of the cationic trypsinogen gene for potential mutations in miniature schnauzers with pancreatitis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cationic trypsinogen gene in miniature schnauzers for possible mutations. Genetic mutations have been linked with hereditary pancreatitis in humans. Four miniature schnauzers were selected on the basis of a clinical history of pancreatitis.

The advantages and disadvantages of endoscopy.

Endoscopy is generally a very safe and effective tool in the diagnosis and therapy of various gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, and must be used in conjunction with other diagnostic modalities. Endoscopy should not be a substitute for a complete work-up. There are many advantages of endoscopy, including minimal morbidity and mortality, and the sensitivity of this modality in the diagnosis of mucosal disorders of the GI tract.

Spinal mast cell tumor in a dog.

A 6-year-old, spayed female rottweiler was referred for left forelimb lameness followed by tetraparesis. A mast cell tumor compressing the spinal cord at the level of the sixth cervical to first thoracic (C6-T1) vertebrae was diagnosed based on cervical myelography and necropsy findings. This was considered a primary extracutaneous mast cell tumor, as no evidence of disease was found elsewhere.