International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics : the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics
-
Int J Gynaecol Obstet · Nov 2012
Clinical characteristics and outcomes of obstetric patients admitted to the intensive care unit.
To identify the reasons for admitting pregnant women to intensive care units (ICUs) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. ⋯ Postpartum hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders were the most common reasons for admitting pregnant women to an ICU, followed by sepsis. Nonobstetric causes of admission were associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates.
-
Int J Gynaecol Obstet · Oct 2012
Misoprostol for prevention and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage: what do we know? What is next?
Misoprostol is an effective and safe uterotonic for the prevention and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). A 600-μg oral dose of misoprostol has been shown to prevent PPH in community-based randomized controlled trials. ⋯ These effects are transient, resolve on their own, and are not life threatening. Misoprostol can play an important role in settings with limited access to oxytocin, and where there is no other option for PPH care.
-
Int J Gynaecol Obstet · Oct 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialPreoperative music intervention for patients undergoing cesarean delivery.
-
Int J Gynaecol Obstet · Oct 2012
Reducing maternal, newborn, and infant mortality globally: an integrated action agenda.
There has been increasing awareness over recent years of the persisting burden of worldwide maternal, newborn, and child mortality. The majority of maternal deaths occur during labor, delivery, and the immediate postpartum period, with obstetric hemorrhage as the primary medical cause of death. Other causes of maternal mortality include hypertensive diseases, sepsis/infections, obstructed labor, and abortion-related complications. ⋯ Recent data also suggest that sufficient evidence- and consensus-based interventions exist to address reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health globally, and if implemented at scale, these have the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality. There is an urgent need to put elements in place to promote integrated interventions among healthcare professionals and their associations. What is needed is the political will and partnerships to implement evidence-based interventions at scale.
-
Int J Gynaecol Obstet · Oct 2012
Improving maternal and perinatal outcomes in the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a vision of a community-focused approach.
The hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP; pre-existing hypertension, gestational hypertension, and pre-eclampsia) remain important causes of maternal morbidity and mortality, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The paper summarizes the current state of evidence around possible technologies to support community-based improvements in maternal and perinatal outcomes for women with pre-eclampsia. Through the testing and, where proven, introduction of these technologies, we believe that HDP-related progress toward achieving Millennium Development Goal 5 can best be accelerated. The evidence and discussion are presented under the following headings: (1) prediction; (2) prevention; (3) diagnosis; (4) risk stratification; (5) decision aids; (6) treatment; (7) geographic information systems; (8) communication; and (9) community and patient education.