Ethical challenges of pregnancy prevention programs.

Certain useful pharmaceutical agents carry a high risk of embryopathy. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in cooperation with drug manufacturers, has established pregnancy prevention programs (PPPs) to reduce the incidence of birth defects for thalidomide (STEPS [System for Thalidomide Education and Prescribing Safety]) and isotretinoin (iPLEDGE) but not for other teratogenic drugs in clinical use. These programs are complex and raise important concerns regarding privacy, the clinician-patient relationship, and convenience of medical care.

Tuberculosis in pregnancy: current recommendations for screening and treatment in the USA.

The main focus of this review is the management of active and latent tuberculosis in pregnancy in industrialized countries. The review is geared towards the healthcare professional taking care of the obstetric patient. The epidemiology of active and latent tuberculosis in the USA and recommendations for the screening of tuberculosis in pregnancy are considered.

Severe preeclampsia presenting as third nerve palsy.

Preeclampsia is a common complication of pregnancy and often manifests in severe cases with neurological symptoms. We present the first documented case of preeclampsia associated with third nerve palsy. A 19-year-old primigravida presented at 31 2/7 weeks' gestation with preeclampsia.

Pregnancy and economic outcomes in patients treated for recurrent preterm labor.

Objective: To compare clinical and cost-effectiveness of treating recurrent preterm labor (RPTL) with oral nifedipine versus continuous subcutaneous terbutaline infusion (SQT).

Study Design: Women with singleton gestations prescribed nifedipine for tocolysis following first diagnosis of preterm labor were identified. Women hospitalized with RPTL at <34 weeks were matched by gestational age (GA) after resuming nifedipine (NIF group) with women prescribed SQT (SQT group) after stabilization.

Obstetrics and gynecology--to be or not to be? Factors influencing one's decision.

Objective: The study was undertaken to determine factors influencing a medical student's decision to choose obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) versus another specialty.

Study Design: Medical school graduates from 1991 to 2001 were surveyed about factors influencing their specialty choice. Data were analyzed with chi(2), logistic regression, and odds ratio where appropriate.

Latent tuberculosis in pregnancy: screening and treatment.

Currently, most cases of active tuberculosis in the United States are a result of activation of latent tuberculosis infection. In this article, the history of the epidemiology of tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis infection is reviewed. Previous and current recommendations for screening and treatment for latent tuberculosis during pregnancy and the postpartum period are discussed.