The reproductive and metabolic effect of rosiglitazone on Chinese women with polycystic ovarian syndrome--a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study.

Objective: To investigate whether an insulin sensitizer has any effect on amenorrhea and clinical and biochemical hyperandrogenism in Chinese women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Design: Randomized controlled double-blind trial.

Setting: A tertiary referral center, Hong Kong.

Change in prevalence of group B Streptococcus maternal colonisation in Hong Kong.

Objectives: To re-examine the prevalence of group B Streptococcus colonisation in our antenatal population, and identify demographic factors associated with carriage.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: A tertiary obstetrics unit in Hong Kong.

A strategy for identifying circulating placental RNA markers for fetal growth assessment.

Objective: To evaluate whether circulating placental mRNAs in maternal plasma could serve as markers for the assessment of fetal growth or intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

Methods: From a panel of placental transcripts detectable in maternal plasma identified by microarray previously, we chose growth-related transcripts, namely CSH1, GH2, KISS1, and ADAM12, as potential growth markers. Relationships between the maternal plasma mRNA concentrations with several fetal growth indicators were studied.

Identification of a Streptococcus agalactiae serotype III subtype 4 clone in association with adult invasive disease in Hong Kong.

Characterization of Streptococcus agalactiae serotype III isolates revealed a subtype 4 clone that has an indistinguishable pulsed-field gel electrophoresis pattern and possesses a C-alpha protein, IS1381, and a novel sequence type (ST), ST 283, by multilocus sequence tagging. This clone was significantly associated with diseases caused by invasive strains from nonpregnant adults (P View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Effect of prostaglandin E2 for cervical priming on fetal hemodynamics.

Objective: To assess the effect of the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on fetal vascular blood flow during cervical priming.

Study Design: In a prospective, observational study, 32 pregnant women > or =37 weeks of gestation requiring PGE2 for induction of labor were recruited. The resistance indices (RIs) of umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery, renal artery and ductus venosum were measured before, 2 and 4 hours after insertion of a PGE2 vaginal pessary.

When to induce labor for post-term? A study of induction at 41 weeks versus 42 weeks.

Objective: To evaluate the pregnancy outcomes of two policies of timing of induction of labor for post-term pregnancies.

Study Design: It is a retrospective study in a University obstetric unit from 1997 to 2002. Five thousand eight hundred and ninety-two singleton, cephalic pregnancies with gestational age at delivery at or more than 41 completed weeks were studied.

Long-term reproductive outcome subsequent to medical versus surgical treatment for miscarriage.

Background: When compared with the conventional surgical evacuation for the treatment of miscarriage, medical evacuation has been largely accepted as an effective and safe management. However, there is a lack of data on the long-term reproductive outcome of these two treatment modalities, which is crucial in patient counselling. The current study evaluates and compares the long-term fertility and pregnancy outcome following these two treatments.

Impact of common contraceptive methods on quality of life and sexual function in Hong Kong Chinese women.

The combined oral contraceptive (COC) pills, injectables, intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) and female sterilization are the most common contraceptive methods used by women. Women's choice, compliance and satisfaction with specific contraceptive methods are influenced by any impact of the method on their quality of life and sexual function. Anxiety regarding possible adverse effects of the contraceptive methods on their quality of life and sexual function is one of the common concerns.

A double blinded randomised placebo-controlled study of intramuscular pethidine for pain relief in the first stage of labour.

Objective: It has recently been suggested that systemic pethidine is ineffective in relieving labour pain. This study aims to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of pethidine in labour.

Design: This is a double blinded randomised placebo-controlled study.

Spontaneous expulsion of a Filshie clip through the anterior abdominal wall.

Tubal occlusion using Filshie clip is one of the most commonly performed operations for female sterilization. It is usually a simple and safe procedure, and operative complications are uncommon. We report a rare case of spontaneous expulsion of a Filshie clip through the anterior abdominal wall 5 years after sterilization.

Postdelivery screening for postpartum depression.

Objective: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious psychiatric disorder affecting 10% to 20% of women after childbirth. Research has shown that systematic screening for PPD using self-report questionnaires helps improve the identification of PPD and expedite treatment. Most studies on PPD screening have been conducted in the second and third postpartum months; little is known about whether PPD screening can be carried out on the days immediately after delivery.