American journal of obstetrics & gynecology MFM
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Preeclampsia complicates 5% to 8% of all pregnancies. Previous studies have examined the maternal morbidity and mortality associated with preeclampsia and the expectant management of severe preterm preeclampsia. However, these studies either did not comment on outcomes by race or were primarily made up of nonblack participants. ⋯ Within our population, there were no differences in maternal outcomes between black and nonblack women who were undergoing expectant management of severe preterm preeclampsia. More research is needed to determine if the known disparities in maternal morbidity among races are due to factors beyond the antepartum management of severe preterm preeclampsia.
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Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM · Nov 2020
Retracted articles in the obstetrics literature: lessons from the past to change the future.
The publication of invalid scientific findings may have profound implications on medical practice. As the incidence of article retractions has increased over the last 2 decades, organizations have formed, including Retraction Watch, to improve the transparency of scientific publishing. At present, the incidence of article retraction in the obstetrics and maternal-fetal medicine literature is unclear. ⋯ In the obstetrics and maternal-fetal medicine literature, retraction of scientific articles is increasing and is most often related to scientific misconduct, including article duplication and plagiarism. Improved prevention and detection are warranted by journals and healthcare institutions to ensure that invalid findings are not perpetuated in the medical literature, thereby avoiding adverse consequences for maternal and perinatal care.
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Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM · Nov 2020
Risk factors for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in pregnant women.
Risk factors for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in pregnancy remain poorly understood. Identifying and understanding populations at a heightened risk of acquisition is essential to more effectively target outreach and prevention efforts. ⋯ Many risk factors for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in pregnancy are similar to the social and structural determinants of health that have been reported in the general population. The observed association between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection and having children raises the possibility of children themselves being vectors of viral spread or behavior patterns of parents being mediators of acquisition.
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Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM · Nov 2020
Histopathologic evaluation of placentas after diagnosis of maternal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection.
The impact of maternal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection on placental histopathology is not well known. ⋯ Based on the results of this study, there are no significant placental histopathologic changes that occur after the diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in women during the third trimester of pregnancy compared with a gestational age-matched historical control group. Similar incidences of histopathologic findings were also discovered when comparing placentas from patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection with or without the presence of symptoms typically related to the infection.
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Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM · Nov 2020
Impact of labor and delivery unit policy modifications on maternal and neonatal outcomes during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, hospitals nationwide have implemented modifications to labor and delivery unit practices designed to protect delivering patients and healthcare providers from infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Beginning in March 2020, our hospital instituted labor, and delivery unit modifications targeting visitor policy, use of personal protective equipment, designation of rooms for triage and delivery of persons suspected or infected with coronavirus disease 2019, delivery management, and newborn care. Little is known about the ramifications of these modifications in terms of maternal and neonatal outcomes. ⋯ Labor and delivery unit policy modifications to protect pregnant patients and healthcare providers from coronavirus disease 2019 indicate that maternal and newborn length of stay in the hospital were significantly shorter after delivery without increases in the rate of adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes. In the absence of long-term adverse outcomes occurring after discharge that are tied to earlier release, our study results may support a review of our discharge protocols once the pandemic subsides to move toward safely shortening maternal and newborn lengths of stay.