Postpartum Readmission after Unscheduled Cesarean Delivery in Patients with Class 3 Obesity.

Objective:  This study aimed to identify risk factors for postpartum readmission (PPR) in class 3 obese patients undergoing unscheduled cesarean deliveries.

Study Design:  Retrospective cohort study of patients with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥40 kg/m undergoing unscheduled cesarean delivery from 2017 to 2020 comparing patients with and without PPR (unexpected admission, emergency room/overnight observation visit, unscheduled outpatient visit, or ambulatory surgery within 30 days). Medical history, operative data, and postpartum outcomes were compared between the cohorts.

Transplacental SARS-CoV-2 protein ORF8 binds to complement C1q to trigger fetal inflammation.

Prenatal SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with higher rates of pregnancy and birth complications, despite that vertical transmission rates are thought to be low. Here, multi-omics analyses of human placental tissues, cord tissues/plasma, and amniotic fluid from 23 COVID-19 mother-infant pairs revealed robust inflammatory responses in both maternal and fetal compartments. Pronounced expression of complement proteins (C1q, C3, C3b, C4, C5) and inflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL-1α, and IL-17A/E) was detected in the fetal compartment of COVID-19-affected pregnancies.

Meeting the challenge of vaccine hesitancy.

Vaccination is a cornerstone of public health, but vaccine hesitancy poses significant challenges as highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing the challenge requires healthcare professionals to effectively counter misinformation. They have a pivotal role in fostering trust and promoting evidence-based vaccine recommendations, with tailored communication strategies and community engagement initiatives.

Cefazolin as the mainstay for antibiotic prophylaxis in patients with a penicillin allergy in obstetrics and gynecology.

Cefazolin is the most common antibiotic used for prophylaxis in obstetrics and gynecology. Among those with a penicillin allergy, alternative antibiotics are often chosen for prophylaxis, given fears of cross-reactivity between penicillin and cefazolin. Alternative antibiotics in this setting are associated with adverse sequelae, including surgical site infection, induction of bacterial resistance, higher costs to the healthcare system, and possible Clostridium difficile infection.