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Pregnancy-Associated Mortality: The Contribution of Homicide

In this national study, there were 3.62 homicides per 100,000 live births among females who were pregnant or within one year postpartum from 2018 to 2019. This rate was slightly higher (16%) than the rate among nonpregnant and non-postpartum females of reproductive age. Homicide was found to be a leading cause of pregnancy-associated mortality.

Contraceptive Visits Declined in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Using a nationwide sample of insurance claims, researchers found that large declines occurred in contraceptive visits in the first month of the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020 compared to May 2019). Although visit numbers improved over time, they remained below pre-pandemic levels through the end of 2020.

Gestational Diabetes Risk May Be Higher Earlier in Pregnancy for Women with Sleep-Disordered Breathing

Screening and treatment might need to begin much earlier for these patients.

Accessing Hormonal Contraception by Pharmacy Prescriptions

Access to effective contraception is critical for avoiding unintended pregnancy, which accounts for about 45% of pregnancies overall in the United States. A stopgap step to increasing access is to expand prescribing authority to pharmacists.

Benefits of Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping

Delayed umbilical cord clamping at the time of delivery resulted in higher mean hematocrit concentrations, with no significant maternal or neonatal complications when compared to immediate umbilical cord clamping.

Intravenous Iron: Does This Therapy Increase the Risk of Infection?

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, among all populations, intravenous iron was associated with a slight increased risk of infection (relative risk, 1.17; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.31) compared to oral iron or no iron. However, there was no difference in mortality or length of hospital stay.

Maternal Outcomes Following COVID-19 Infection in Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Pregnant Patients

Pregnant patients who received the COVID-19 vaccine had lower rates of severe or critical COVID-19 infections compared to pregnant unvaccinated patients.

Are Female Surgeons at Higher Risk for Infertility and Pregnancy Complications?

In this cross-sectional national survey of 850 surgeons, compared to the partners of male surgeons, female surgeons were more likely to have fewer children (1.8 vs. 2.3) and to delay having children because of surgical training (65% vs. 44%). Female surgeons also were more likely to use assisted reproductive technology (25% vs. 17%).

Zuranolone Trial Shows Early Promise as an Oral Neuroactive Steroid for the Treatment of Postpartum Depression

Zuranolone was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of postpartum depression (PPD) in March 2019. One potential factor identified in PPD etiology is the dramatic perinatal changes in circulating levels of allopregnanolone, a neuroactive steroid with gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA_A) receptor positive allosteric modulator properties. In brain regions associated with emotion and self-perception, neural network connectivity supported by GABAergic signaling is positively correlated with plasma allopregnanolone concentrations in individuals with PPD vs. healthy postpartum female individuals.

Is Prenatal Screening for GBS Cost-Effective in the United States?

In this cost-effectiveness study, screening for group B streptococcus (GBS) at 36 0/7 to 37 6/7 weeks, with rescreening (if GBS results are negative after five weeks of initial screening), is the most cost-effective strategy.