Obstetrics/Gynecology

Fertility treatment failure is associated with a significant increased risk of cardiovascular disease over the long term.

Nutritional benefits of maternal fish consumption outweighed the risk of neurologic deficits associated with mercury.
The better neurobehavioral performance observed in infants with higher mercury biomarkers should not be interpreted as a beneficial effect of mercury exposure, which is clearly neurotoxic.
Better neurobehavioral performance in mercury-exposed infants likely reflects the benefits of polyunsaturated fatty acid intake associated with fish consumption.
Polyunsaturated fatty acid intake has been shown to benefit attention, memory, and other areas of development in children.

Family physician’s contraceptive suggestions for patients were frequently not evidence based.
The results suggested that that 23% of providers’ oral contraceptive pill recommendations and 40% of intrauterine device recommendations were inconsistent with CDC guidelines.
As many as 50% of pregnancies are unplanned. Optimal use of contraceptive methods would reduce this number
Results were derived from a survey study with 1054 participants.
Misconceptions were noted with regard to eligibility for use of an intrauterine device.

A mother’s use of acetaminophen during pregnancy increased the risk of hyperactivity by 31% by the child’s age 7 years.
Children exposed to acetaminophen prenatally are at increased risk of multiple behavioral difficulties.
A mother’s use of acetaminophen during pregnancy raised the risk of her child developing asthma by 13%.

Florida reports 10 new cases of Zika, the largest one-day announcement ever in the U.S.
Total case in U.S. approaches 1000.
No vector-borne cases yet reported in U.S.
Nearly 300 pregnant, Zika-infected Americans currently being monitored by the CDC.
Zika linked to microcephaly, seizures and spasticity, facial abnormalities, and problems with feeding and vision in newborns.
Disease linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome and Zika-related eye injury in adults.

Nearly 300 pregnant, Zika-infected Americans currently being monitored by the CDC.
Zika linked to microcephaly, seizures and spasticity, facial abnormalities, and problems with feeding and vision in newborns.
Disease linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome and Zika-related eye injury in adults.
Nearly 6000 cases of microcephaly have been confirmed in Brazil.

Minimally invasive techniques were associated with less blood loss, less need for blood transfusion, and shorter duration of hospital stay.
Cochrane meta-analysis was inconclusive in regard to postoperative pain control, fertility, and pregnancy rates.
Uterine myomas are relatively common in premenopausal women, presenting in approximately 200,000 American women per year.
About 25% of myomas will require medical intervention.
Myomas are the most frequently diagnosed tumor of the female pelvis and the most common reason for a woman to have a hysterectomy.

Three cases of sexually transmitted Zika virus are reported in Texas.
“Sexual transmission of Zika virus is possible, and is of particular concern during pregnancy,” CDC.
Men who reside in or have traveled to an area where Zika virus transmission is active and who have a pregnant partner should abstain from sexual activity or consistently use condoms during sex.
The virus appears to be contained in semen and has been transmitted by men who later developed symptomatic illness. The duration of persistence of Zika virus in semen remains unknown.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the use of condoms during all forms of sexual contact between partners who have traveled to or reside in Zika-infected areas.

Zika infection is linked to microcephaly in children exposed in utero.
The virus is carried by Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Children with microcephaly are born, often, with incomplete brain development.
CDC warns pregnant women to avoid travel to 14 countries and territories where Zika is currently prevalent.
There is no vaccine against Zika infection and no treatment for the disease.

Seven characteristics predict who will become anxious or depressed.
Children of depressed mothers are significantly more likely to be abused.
Children of depressed mothers are significantly more likely to become depressed, anxious, or attempt suicide.
Depressed mothers often suffer unnecessarily; the disorder can be effectively treated.
Pre-natal intervention can spare significant pain and comorbidity in mother and child.

According to the CDC, the rate of usage of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC), such as IUDs, by American women has doubled since 2010.
The rate of LARC usage has grown 6-fold since 2002.
Currently 11.6% of American women use LARC.
LARC usage is the fastest growing sector of the contraceptive market.
This social movement represents an opportunity for clinicians to educate patients about optimal contraception.

Reiterate to patients that breastfeeding benefits both baby and mother.
It is effective and inexpensive.
Offer breastfeeding support for new mothers who find it difficult.
Help patients surmount barriers to breastfeeding such as day care and brief maternity leave.
Explain pumping and alternatives to formula for working mothers.
Remind new mothers that sometimes formula is OK. There will be times where breast milk simply is not an option and the baby is hungry.