The Implications of Genetic Testing: It’s More Than A Simple Blood Test
July 26th 2011Virtually half of the articles about genetic testing in the lay press contain the words "simple blood test". In a high-tech medical world of complicated imaging, medications and surgeries, reporters seem intrigued that much genetic testing can be performed on a blood specimen.
Poll: Do You Use Office-Based Uterine Evacuation in Early Pregnancy Failure Care?
July 26th 2011A recent survey of ob/gyns (N = 308) reported that respondents who indicated they had prior training in office uterine evacuation and/or induced abortion also reported using office uterine evacuation more frequently as compared to those providers without any training. The operation room was used more often by those respondents who did not have any induced abortion training.
The Ultrasound Detection of Chromosomal Anomalies
Adapted from "The Ultrasound Detection of Chromosomal Anomalies
Committee Recommends Withdrawal of Breast Cancer Indication From Bevacizumab
July 25th 2011FDA approval for bevacizumab (Avastin) as treatment for metastatic HER2-negative breast cancer should be withdrawn, according to a unanimous vote (6-0) of the FDA’s Oncologic Drug Advisory Committee. The committee convened at the request of the drugmaker (Genentech) to appeal an earlier decision by the FDA to remove the indication for bevacizumab to treat locally recurrent or metastatic HER2-negative breast cancer.
ACOG Committee Opinion: Screening for Vitamin D Not Recommended
July 24th 2011Routine screening of pregnant women for vitamin D deficiency is not recommended, according to a new Committee Opinion of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Although severe vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy has been linked with abnormal skeletal development, congenital rickets, and bone fractures in newborns, most pregnant women obtain enough vitamin D through prenatal vitamins, fortified milk and juice, fish oils, and sunlight exposure.
Implantable Devices Should Be Offered as First-Line Contraception
July 24th 2011The most effective forms of reversible contraception available to date are long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), which include intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants.1 According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (The College), LARCs are safe for almost all women of reproductive age, including nursing mothers, adolescents, and women who have not yet had a child, and The College recommends them as first-line contraceptive methods.
Placental Localization by Transperineal Sonography in Antepartum Hemorrhage
July 22nd 2011Transperineal and transabdominal sonography were done for 180 patients attending Benha University Hospitals at 28-40 weeks gestational age with an antepartum hemorrhage in the period between July, 1995 and October, 1996.
Maternal Serum Marker Screening for Down Syndrome
July 22nd 2011Prenatal screening for Down syndrome is continuously being refined. Initially, the screen was limited to the health care provider's consideration of the mother's age at delivery, once the association between advanced maternal age (i.e. maternal age 35 or older at delivery) and increased risk for Down syndrome was recognized.
First-Trimester Aneuploidy Screening A Combined Approach
July 22nd 2011Prenatal testing for Down syndrome has gained importance--and urgency--as more women delay pregnancy into their later reproductive years. A first-trimester screening technique that combines use of maternal serum markers with ultrasonographic assessment may offer reliable answers sooner than do other available tests.
Maternal Position During the First Stage of Labor: A Systematic Review
July 21st 2011Policy makers and health professionals are progressively using evidence-based rationale to guide their decisions. There has long been controversy regarding which maternal position is more appropriate during the first stage of labor.
Archive of Articles by David Hutchon, BSc, MB, ChB, FRCOG, UK OBGYN.net Editorial Advisor
July 21st 2011"Back to the Future" for Hermaani Boerhaave, or, "A rational way to generate ultrasound scan charts for estimating the date of delivery", by David Hutchon, BSc, MB, ChB, FRCOG How to use Bayes theorem to estimate sequential conditional risks. Odds ratio or Risk: that is the question! by David Hutchon, BSc, MB, ChB, FRCOG and A. Khattab, MD , Dept of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Memorial Hospital, Darlington, UKOnline Calculators by Dr. Hutchon Down Syndrome risk calculator with growth calculator UK dates i.e. D/M/Y versionDown Syndrome risk calculator (using Hecht and Hook formula) with growth calculator UK dates i.e. D/M/Y versionDown Syndrome risk calculator with growth calculator US dates i.e. M/D/Y versionDown Syndrome risk calculator using gestation specific likelihood ratios for both CRL and BPD measurements. UK dates i.e. D/M/Y versionDown Syndrome risk calculator using gestation specific likelihood ratios for both CRL and BPD measurements. US dates i.e. M/D/Y versionDown Syndrome risk calculator with growth calculator FRENCH version translation by Docteur Eric Launay, Paris. Down Syndrome risk calculator with growth calculator SLOVENIA version translation by Mag. Stanko Pu?enjak, dr. med.Down Syndrome risk calculator with growth calculator ITALIAN version translation by D Spagnolo-HSRaffaele Milano.Software to generate your own customised EDD calculator (UK date style entry)Software to generate your own customised EDD calculator (US date style entry)Simple fetal weight calculatorChicken pox in pregnancy: - decision assistanceA customised (for fetal sex, parity, maternal age) EDD calculator for the Darlington population - (see how to make your own)Risk of malignancy index calculator for ovarian tumoursCritical Appraisal Page (with off-line calculator package) for single treatment trialCritical Appraisal Page (with off-line calculator package) for Diagnostic testCalculator for confidence intervals of relative risk.Calculator for confidence intervals of odds ratioA whole range of statistical calculatorsGenerates a table for any ultrasound parameter measurement converted to gestation using any polynomial equationGenerates a table for gestation to any ultrasound parameter measurement using any polynomial equationCalculator for risk of Down syndrome using second trimester US markers using work published by Greggory De VoreRisk of Abruptio Placentae as published by Baumann P et al Mathematic modeling to predict abruptio placentae. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;183:815-22
First Trimester Nuchal Translucency Screening: Should It Be Standard of Care?
July 21st 2011Screening for Down syndrome has evolved significantly over the last number of years. Much research has been presented describing sonographic features that may be useful for the prenatal detection of Down syndrome, ranging from second trimester “soft markers” such as short femur, nuchal fold enlargement, or echogenic intracardiac foci, to first trimester features such as increased nuchal translucency or absent fetal nose bone.