Importance: As prenatal care is in transition after the COVID-19 pandemic, reviewing fundamental physical examination approaches is necessary for providers examining obstetrical patients.
Objective: The objective of this review is 3-fold: (1) convey why the age of telemedicine necessitates reconsideration of the standardized physical examination in routine prenatal care; (2) identify the screening efficacy of examination maneuvers used within a standard prenatal examination of the neck, heart, lungs, abdomen, breasts, skin, lower extremities, pelvis, and fetal growth; and (3) propose an evidence-based prenatal physical examination.
Evidence Acquisition: A comprehensive literature review identified relevant research, review articles, textbook chapters, databases, and societal guidelines.
Results: We conclude that an evidence-based prenatal examination for asymptomatic patients includes the following maneuvers: inspection and palpation for thyromegaly and cervical lymphadenopathy, cardiac auscultation, fundal height measurement, and a pelvic examination for purposes including testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia, assessing pelvimetry, and assessing cervical dilation later in the pregnancy, intrapartum, or in the setting of ultrasonogram-detected prelabor preterm cervical shortening.
Conclusions And Relevance: Although not true of all physical examination maneuvers, this article demonstrates that there are maneuvers that continue to play important screening roles in asymptomatic patients. With the increase in virtual visits and fewer in-person prenatal appointments, the rational basis for maneuvers recommended in this review should inform decision making around the prenatal examination performed.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/OGX.0000000000001154 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Prenatal diagnosis of mucopolysaccharidosis type I on hepatosplenomegaly and coarse features: a case-report.
BMC Pregnancy Childbirth
January 2025
Department of Clinical Genetics, Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France.
Background: Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I - IDUA gene) is a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder. Clinical symptoms, including visceral overload, are progressive and typically begin postnatally. Descriptions of hepatosplenomegaly associated with lysosomal pathology are uncommon during the prenatal period.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTwo novel variants in associated with anophthalmia and congenital cystic eye.
Ophthalmic Genet
January 2025
Department of Ophthalmology, Unidade de Saúde Local de São João, Porto, Portugal.
Purpose: We present the case of a newborn with right anophthalmia, left congenital cystic eye, and two novel variants in the gene. This report provides a comprehensive discussion of the clinical presentation, management strategies, and long-term follow-up for this rare condition.
Methods: A thorough ophthalmic examination was performed.
Resolution of selective fetal growth restriction after laser surgery for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome can be predicted by predisease growth discordance.
Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol
January 2025
Johns Hopkins Center for Fetal Therapy, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Objective: To determine if the resolution of fetal growth discordance after laser surgery in pregnancies with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and coexisting selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR) can be predicted by estimated fetal weight (EFW) discordance recorded prior to the development of TTTS (pre-TTTS).
Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on monochorionic twins with concurrent TTTS and sFGR that underwent laser surgery and had available growth ultrasound records from a pre-TTTS ultrasound evaluation. Maternal demographics, pregnancy characteristics and birth outcomes were compared between three outcome groups: double twin survival with resolved sFGR determined by birth weight discordance (BWD) < 20%; double twin survival with ongoing sFGR determined by BWD ≥ 20%; and single or double fetal demise after laser surgery.
Assessment of Brain Development in Children With Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia - an Automated Brain Segmentation Approach.
In Vivo
December 2024
Department of Neuroradiology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
Background/aim: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a critical condition affecting newborns, which often results in long-term morbidities, including neurodevelopmental delays, which affect cognitive, motor, and behavioral functions. These delays are believed to stem from prenatal and postnatal factors, such as impaired lung development and chronic hypoxia, which disrupt normal brain growth. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of these neurodevelopmental impairments is crucial for improving prognosis and patient outcomes, particularly as advances in treatments like ECMO have increased survival rates but also pose additional risks for neurodevelopment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMaternity Care Informed Consent Practices and Perspectives: A Qualitative Study at a Tertiary Maternity Unit.
Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol
December 2024
Western Sydney University, Penrith South, Australia.
Background: Although consent has long been accepted as necessary in maternity care, the concept of informed consent for planned vaginal birth has polarised maternity politics. The publication of the NSW Consent Manual outlines new standards of informed consent, signalling the need for examination of current maternity consent practices.
Aims: To examine informed consent and disclosure of material risks in birth in a prospective qualitative study of midwives and obstetricians.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!