Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) During Pregnancy and the Risk for Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the Offspring: A True Effect or a Bias? A Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis.

Background And Objective: An inconsistent association between exposure to SSRIs and SNRIs and the risk for ASD and ADHD in the Offspring was observed in observational studies. Some suggest that the reported association might be due to unmeasured confounding. We aimed to study this association and to look for sources of bias by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Unplanned Cesarean Delivery in the Second Stage of Labor Holds Higher Odds of Complications than in the First Stage, while Similar in Primiparas and Multiparas.

Background: While endeavors to reduce cesarean delivery (CD) rates are given priority worldwide, it is important to evaluate if these efforts place parturients and neonates at risk. CD performed in the second stage of labor carries higher risks of maternal and fetal complications and is a more challenging surgical procedure than that performed in the first stage or before labor. In a population with a low CD rate, we sought to evaluate the rate of maternal and fetal complications associated with unplanned CD (UCD) performed in the second vs.

Ultrasonography in Pelvic Floor Dysfunction.

Obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) and levator ani muscle (LAM) trauma are common disorders in parous women. Four sonographic signs have been published in cases of OASI: external or internal anal sphincter discontinuity; thickening of external anal sphincter at the area of repair; thinning of internal anal sphincter in the area of rupture in conjunction with thickening opposite the rupture site ("half-moon" sign); and abnormality of mucous folds ("mucosal star sign"). Levator trauma can be asymptomatic, with abnormality arising years later.

Prenatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and risk for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and network meta-analysis.

Background: There is a marked increase in the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors in the last decade. Many newborns are likely to be exposed during pregnancy and labor.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the association between exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors during pregnancy and the risk for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.

The expression level of C19MC miRNAs in early pregnancy and in response to viral infection.

Introduction: We have previously shown that miRNAs produced from the Chromosome 19 MiRNA Cluster (C19MC), which are expressed almost exclusively in primate trophoblasts and are released into the maternal circulation, reduce viral replication in non-placental cells and can modulate migratory behavior of extravillous trophoblast. We sought to define the expression pattern of C19MC miRNA in early pregnancy and in response to viral infection in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: We prospectively followed women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and determined their blood level of C19MC miRNA using RT-qPCR.

Third- or Fourth-Degree Intrapartum Anal Sphincter Tears Are Associated With Levator Ani Avulsion in Primiparas.

Objectives: We evaluated primiparous women with clinically diagnosed third- and fourth-degree and anal sphincter tears, to evaluate the rate of levator ani muscle injury compared to primiparous women without sphincter tears.

Methods: Primiparous women delivering in our maternity ward with intrapartum diagnoses of third- or fourth-degree anal sphincter tears, repaired by the overlapping technique, were recruited to undergo 3-dimensional transperineal sonography of the pelvic floor anatomy, including the anterior and posterior compartments. Primiparas with uncomplicated vaginal deliveries were recruited as a comparison group.

Collecting clinical data in primary ciliary dyskinesia- challenges and opportunities.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is under diagnosed and underestimated. Most clinical research has used some form of questionnaires to capture data but none has been critically evaluated particularly with respect to its end-user feasibility and utility. To critically appraise a clinical data collection questionnaire for PCD used in a large national PCD consortium in order to apply conclusions in future PCD research.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia in Israel: Prevalence, clinical features, current diagnosis and management practices.

Background: Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) is rare and its features in Israel have not been described.

Aims: to assess prevalence utilizing state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques, and describe clinical features, diagnostic and management practices in Israel.

Methods: A national multicenter study from 2012 to 2013 recruited patients diagnosed or suspected of having PCD.

Fetal macrosomia as a risk factor for shoulder dystocia during vacuum extraction.

Objective: Vacuum extraction of a macrosomic fetus is considered a risk factor for shoulder dystocia (SD). We evaluated maternal and fetal outcomes following vacuum extraction of macrosomic infants.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study conducted in two large teaching hospitals.

Systematic Analysis of CCNO Variants in a Defined Population: Implications for Clinical Phenotype and Differential Diagnosis.

Reduced generation of multiple motile cilia (RGMC) is a novel chronic destructive airway disease within the group of mucociliary clearance disorders with only few cases reported. Mutations in two genes, CCNO and MCIDAS, have been identified as a cause of this disease, both leading to a greatly reduced number of cilia and causing impaired mucociliary clearance. This study was designed to identify the prevalence of CCNO mutations in Israel and further delineate the clinical characteristics of RGMC.

Evaluating Spatiotemporal Image Correlation Technology as a Tool for Training Nonexpert Sonographers to Perform Examinations of the Fetal Heart.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the use of spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) as a tool for training nonexpert examiners to perform screening examinations of the fetal heart by acquiring and examining STIC volumes according to a standardized questionnaire based on the 5 transverse planes of the fetal heart.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study at 2 tertiary care centers. Two sonographers without formal training in fetal echocardiography received theoretical instruction on the 5 fetal echocardiographic transverse planes, as well as STIC technology.

Persistence of levator ani sonographic defect detected by three-dimensional transperineal sonography in primiparous women.

Objectives: Correlation of the sonographic appearance of levator ani muscle (LAM) injury soon after delivery with that at long-term follow-up has not been described fully. We aimed to compare results of three-dimensional (3D) transperineal sonographic (TPS) evaluation of the LAM from the period immediately postpartum with long-term follow-up, to determine whether sonographic findings persist over time.

Methods: Primiparous women (n = 210) who had been examined by 3D-TPS in a previous study to determine LAM trauma 24-72 hours after delivery were invited to participate in a follow-up examination 3-21 months postpartum.

Detailed transabdominal fetal anatomic scanning in the late first trimester versus the early second trimester of pregnancy.

Objectives: To compare visualization rates for early targeted organ scanning at gestational ages ranging from 11 weeks 3 days to 13 weeks 2 days versus 14 weeks 3 days to 16 weeks 2 days.

Methods: We conducted a prospective longitudinal study of patients who presented for nuchal translucency (NT) screening and targeted organ scanning. Extended targeted organ scanning, including the central nervous system, face and neck, chest, heart (including complete echocardiography), digestive system, abdominal wall, urinary system, skeleton, and umbilical cord with its insertion and placenta, was performed on gravidas in 2 age ranges.

MCIDAS mutations result in a mucociliary clearance disorder with reduced generation of multiple motile cilia.

Reduced generation of multiple motile cilia (RGMC) is a rare mucociliary clearance disorder. Affected persons suffer from recurrent infections of upper and lower airways because of highly reduced numbers of multiple motile respiratory cilia. Here we report recessive loss-of-function and missense mutations in MCIDAS-encoding Multicilin, which was shown to promote the early steps of multiciliated cell differentiation in Xenopus.

Systematic examination of the fetal abdominal precordial veins: a cohort study.

Objectives: Examination of the fetal venous system is a necessary part of complete fetal organ scanning to confirm landmark anatomy, such as the ductus venosus and course of the umbilical veins, and, whenever cardiovascular anomalies are identified, to exclude associated anomalous development of the fetal veins. We aimed to develop a protocol for systematic examination of the fetal venous system during midtrimester targeted organ scanning.

Methods: We included low-risk women with a singleton fetus presenting between January 2011 and June 2013 to our center for routine midtrimester (20-24 weeks) targeted organ scanning.

Sonographic finding of postpartum levator ani muscle injury correlates with pelvic floor clinical examination.

Objectives: Correlation of the sonographic finding of levator ani muscle (LAM) injuries with clinical examination in primiparous women following vaginal delivery has not been fully described. We aimed to examine the correlation of three-dimensional transperineal ultrasound (3D-TPS) finding of LAM defects with results of clinical examination of the pelvic floor, at intermediate follow-up.

Methods: Subjects were primiparae 3-21 months following vaginal delivery, who had not become pregnant or delivered in the interim.

Novel approaches to spinal cord protection during thoracoabdominal aortic interventions.

Purpose Of Review: Spinal cord ischemia after thoracoabdominal aortic interventions is a devastating complication because it significantly worsens the perioperative morbidity and mortality. Long-term outcome is also affected because of medical complications which are directly related to the neural deficits. Paraplegia has significant medical, social, and financial aspects.

Exposure to ertapenem is possibly associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa antibiotic resistance.

The role of antibiotic exposure in the evolution and emergence of resistance is challenging to assess. We used carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) phenotypes to assess possible factors that are associated with the occurrence and prognosis of such a phenotype and to examine the possible contribution of antibiotic exposure to the evolution of antimicrobial resistance. We conducted a nested case-control study.

The clinical significance of small endometrial polyps.

Objective: Small endometrial polyps are relatively common in asymptomatic women and may regress spontaneously. In symptomatic women, the finding of a small polyp (<1cm diameter) raises the question of the clinical pertinence and necessity of excision. Sparse data are available on the effectiveness of hysteroscopic excision of small polyps to manage abnormal uterine bleeding.