Browse OB/GYN Clinical Alert Articles by Topic

The Effects of Maternal Cannabis Use During Pregnancy on the Neurobehavioral Development of Children at Ages 3-6 Years

This study examined associations between maternal cannabis use in pregnancy and neurobehavioral problems diagnosed in children between ages 3 and 6 years. Maternal cannabis use was associated with higher cortisol levels, as well as abnormal behaviors, including anxiety, aggression, and hyperactivity. Placental analyses for a subset of children indicate a potential mechanism for neurobehavioral disorders as the result of selective gene regulation.

Midurethral Slings for the Management of Stress Urinary Incontinence

The controversy surrounding polypropylene mesh use has confused and discouraged women from seeking surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence. Midurethral slings remain the standard of care for the surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

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%).