Characterizing Literacy and Cognitive Function during Pregnancy and Postpartum.

 The objective of this study was to characterize health literacy and cognitive function in a diverse cohort of pregnant women.  Pregnant and postpartum women underwent in-depth assessments of health literacy/numeracy and the cognitive domains of verbal ability, working memory, long-term memory, processing speed, and inductive reasoning. Differences by demographic characteristics and gestational age were assessed using chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression.

Effect of antenatal betamethasone on blood glucose levels in women with and without diabetes.

Objective: To characterize the maternal glycemic response to betamethasone in subjects without diabetes compared to subjects with diabetes.

Study Design: Blood glucose levels in 22 gravidae without diabetes and 11 gravidae with diabetes were recorded for 48h following betamethasone administration for threatened preterm delivery. Maximum blood glucose value and time to maximum value were compared.

How to Manage Allergic Reactions to Contrast Agent in Pregnant Patients.

Objective: This article reviews optimal treatment of allergic reactions to iodinated contrast material in pregnant patients. Initial evaluation and treatment of a pregnant patient is similar to that for a nonpregnant patient. However, additional steps, including assessment for uterine cramping, using left uterine displacement to improve venous return, and maintaining blood pressure to ensure placental perfusion, may be required.

Outcomes after physical examination-indicated cerclage in twin gestations.

Objective: To compare outcomes of physical examination-indicated cerclage in women with twin gestations to those with singleton gestations and to identify whether risk factors for extremely preterm birth (before 28 weeks) differ between these 2 groups.

Study Design: This is a single institution retrospective cohort study of women who underwent a physical examination-indicated cerclage between Jan. 1, 1980, and Aug.

Postpartum hemorrhage: evidence-based medical interventions for prevention and treatment.

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains a significant contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality throughout the world. The majority of research on this topic has focused on efforts to prevent PPH. Sound data exist that active management of the third stage of labor can reduce the occurrence of PPH.

Correlation of increased fetal asymmetry with shoulder dystocia in the nondiabetic woman with suspected macrosomia.

Objective: To determine if the sonographic difference of > or = 2.6 cm between the fetal abdominal diameter (AD) and biparietal diameter (BPD), a proxy for fetal asymmetry, has an association with shoulder dystocia in nondiabetic women with suspected macrosomia.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study was performed in 3 Southern California tertiary care hospitals.

Computed tomographic reconstruction of a fetus with the dysgnathia complex (agnathia-otocephaly).

The dysgnathia complex (agnathia-otocephaly) (AO) is a lethal malformation that consists of congenital absence of the lower jaw with union or close approximation of the lower ears on the front of the neck, microstomia, and hypoglossia. We present a novel case of agnathia-otocephaly with associated organomegaly and the use of postmortem 3-D computed tomographic rendering.