Contemporary OB/GYN week in review: gestational diabetes, PCOS dismissal, and more

This week at Contemporary OB/GYN®, we covered topics ranging from the link between neighborhood deprivation and gestational diabetes to the safety of IV iron. Click the links below to read anything you might have missed from Monday, August 25, to Friday, August 29, 2025.

Melissa Furlong, PhD, links neighborhood deprivation to gestational diabetes risk

In a recent interview with Contemporary OB/GYN, Melissa Furlong, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at the U of A Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, highlighted her study assessing the relationship between neighborhood deprivation and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

The trial used Arizona birth certificate data spanning nearly a decade. By linking residential addresses reported on birth certificates to the Neighborhood Deprivation Index, a validated measure of neighborhood socioeconomic conditions, a clear association was identified between women living in more deprived neighborhoods and increased odds of developing GDM.

PCOS patients report feeling dismissed by health care providers

Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often feel dismissed, misunderstood, and underserved by the health care system, according to a study published in F&S Reports on July 7, 2025.

Feelings of being dismissed or ignored were reported by patients in all focus groups when discussing their symptoms. These experiences often occurred during adolescence, with many patients not receiving a diagnosis for years. During this period, they would often feel frustrated, isolated, and blamed for their condition.

“Patients told us their concerns, such as missed periods, acne or hair loss, were frequently minimized. They often felt that their voices were not heard, and that led to a delay in both diagnosis and effective treatment,” said Noy Phimphasone-Brady, PhD, senior study author and assistant professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

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Prostaglandins safe in pregnant patients with sickle cell disease

Prostaglandin use to induce labor or treat postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is safe in patients with sickle-cell disease, according to a cohort study published in Pregnancy.

Vaso-occlusive crisis rates did not significantly differ between patients exposed vs unexposed to prostaglandins, at 12.2% vs 11.6%, respectively. Rates of intensive care unit admission and intravenous morphine use also did not significantly differ between groups.

Vaginal deliveries were more common in the exposed group vs the unexposed group, with rates of 56.1% and 31.4%, respectively. Additionally, failed induction was more often the indication for cesarean delivery in these patients, at 20.1% vs 5.4% in unexposed patients. Mean gestational ages at delivery were 37.7 vs 36.7 weeks, respectively.

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IV iron therapy safe and effective for pregnant patients

Intravenous (IV) iron therapy can be safely administered without significant maternal or fetal safety concerns in obstetrical clinics, according to a recent study published in Pregnancy.

Hgb significantly increased between diagnosis and delivery, from 9.7 g/dL to 11.2 g/dL. In patients receiving 2 or fewer IV iron infusions, the mean Hgb rose from 10.1 g/dL to 11.5 g/dL. In those with 3 or more doses, the mean Hgb rose from 9.3 to 10.9. These changes were 1.4 and 1.6 g/dL, respectively, indicating similar improvements from 3 vs 2 doses.

However, a significantly greater improvement was observed from doses of 600 mg or more vs those under 600 mg, with increases in mean Hgb of 1.50 and 0.94 g/dL, respectively. Side effects were reported in 11.5% of patients, though only 0.5% of cases were terminated early because of adverse events.

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Experts warn menopause hormone tests often unnecessary

Experts have warned that menopause care is being adversely impacted by unnecessary services that do not improve care, publishing their findings in The BMJ on August 20, 2025.

The authors highlighted a rise in the use of commercial services among menopausal women, especially for routine hormone panel testing to evaluate hormone levels. According to investigators, these tests cost hundreds of dollars despite being of limited clinical use, as there is no clear therapeutic window for hormonal therapy in menopause.

“The principle of evidence-based practice is that a test should only be done if the result will directly guide patient care,” wrote investigators. “For perimenopause and menopause, hormone testing offers no reliable way to determine who will benefit from treatment.”

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