Traditional Versus Contemporary Models for Identifying Causes of Maternal Death: A Population-Based Study.

Objective: To examine differences in cause-of-maternal-death assignment based on underlying versus multiple causes of death.

Design: Cross-sectional, population-based study.

Setting: United States, 1999-2002 and 2018-2022.

Severe Maternal Morbidity and Maternal Mortality Associated with Pregnancies Among Women With Solid Organ Transplants.

Objectives: Solid organ transplants (SOT), including kidney, liver, heart, lung, and pancreas transplants, have become more common in the last few decades. However, few population-based studies have attempted to comprehensively quantify severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and maternal mortality associated with pregnancies among recipients of SOTs. This study aimed to determine the proportion of women with SOTs among all delivering women, and to quantify the rates of SMM and maternal mortality associated with SOT.

Temporal Changes in the Contribution of Chronic Disease to Maternal Mortality in the United States.

Background: Increases in maternal age, obesity and other factors have led to an increase in hypertension, diabetes, and other chronic diseases among pregnant women. However, the impact of chronic diseases on maternal mortality has not been adequately studied.

Objectives: To quantify the contribution of maternal mortality associated with chronic disease to maternal mortality in the United States in 1999-2002 and 2018-2022.

National survey on Congenital Cytomegalovirus Awareness and Screening Practices among Healthcare Professionals.

Objectives: Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, resulting from maternal-fetal transmission of CMV, poses a substantial risk to maternal and child health. It is the most prevalent congenital viral infection, and the prevention and management of this condition rely heavily on the knowledge and awareness of healthcare professionals.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted between March 1, 2023, and August 31, 2023, across multiple tertiary centers in various Saudi Arabian cities.

Anesthetic considerations of EXIT procedure: A case report.

The ex-utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) is a rare surgical procedure performed in cases of expected postpartum fetal airway obstruction. This procedure technique lies in a safe establishment of a patent airway during labor in anticipation of a critical respiratory event, without the interruption of maternal-fetal circulation. Anesthetic management in the EXIT procedure is substantially different from that of the standard cesarean delivery and its main goals include uterine relaxation, fetal anesthesia, and placental blood flow preservation.

The Association between Antenatal Tea Drinking and Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Several adverse maternal outcomes have been linked to the excessive consumption of caffeine during pregnancy. Tea is an important source of caffeine. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are common pregnancy complications with unfavorable maternal and fetal complications.

Expression of Glucose Transporters 1 and 3 in the Placenta of Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: The annual prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus-characterized by an increase in blood glucose in pregnant women-has been increasing worldwide. The goal of this study was to evaluate the expression of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3) in the placenta of women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Methods: Sixty-five placentas from women admitted to the King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were analyzed; 34 and 31 placentas were from healthy pregnant women and women with gestational diabetes, respectively.

Clinical practice guidelines for neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: A systematic review using the appraisal of guidelines for research and evaluation (AGREE) II instrument.

Background And Objective: To systematically review, critically appraise the quality of recent clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), and map their recommendations.

Data Sources: CPG databases (GIN, ECRI, NICE, SIGN, DynaMed), Bibliographic databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL), and related specialized professional societies (e.g.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Perinatal Health of Infants Conceived by ART.

Background And Objectives: Although racial and ethnic disparities in adverse birth outcomes have been well documented, it is unknown whether such disparities diminish in women who use medically assisted reproduction (MAR). We examined differences in the association between maternal race and ethnicity and adverse birth outcomes among women who conceived spontaneously and those who used MAR, including assisted reproduction technology (ART), eg, in-vitro fertilization, and also non-ART MAR, eg, fertility drugs.

Methods: We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study using data on all singleton births (N = 7 545 805) in the United States from 2016 to 2017.

Association of health and lifestyle factors with uterine fibroids among Saudi women: A case-control study.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to measure the association between uterine fibroids (UFs) and several risk factors (parity, miscarriage, diabetes, hypertension, physical activity, smoking, family history of UF and contraceptive pill use) among Saudi women.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted in 478 women at two medical centers in Riyadh. Cases were confirmed by ultrasound.

Severe Maternal Morbidity and Maternal Mortality Associated with Assisted Reproductive Technology.

Objective: To assess the association between use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and severe maternal morbidity and maternal mortality (SMM).

Methods: We carried out a cohort study that included all hospital deliveries at ≥20 weeks gestation in Canada (excluding Québec) between April 2009 and March 2018. Outcomes of interest included composite SMM and SMM types (e.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on urology residency training.

Context: The COVID-19 pandemic has led a lot of countries worldwide to go on lockdown. Potential collateral damage is the impact of residency.

Aims: The aim of this study is to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on urology training aspects, study habits of residents, and their awareness and training regarding COVID-19.

Incidence and risk factors for severe preeclampsia, hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome, and eclampsia at preterm and term gestation: a population-based study.

Background: The majority of previous studies on severe preeclampsia, eclampsia, and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome were hospital-based or included a relatively small number of women. Large, population-based studies examining gestational age-specific incidence patterns and risk factors for these severe pregnancy complications are lacking.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the gestational age-specific incidence rates and risk factors for severe preeclampsia, hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome, and eclampsia.

Maternal Mortality in the United States: Recent Trends, Current Status, and Future Considerations.

Rigorous studies carried out by the National Center for Health Statistics show that previously reported increases in maternal mortality rates in the United States were an artifact of changes in surveillance. The pregnancy checkbox, introduced in the revised 2003 death certificate and implemented by the states in a staggered manner, resulted in increased identification of maternal deaths and in reported maternal mortality rates. This Commentary summarizes the findings of the National Center for Health Statistics reports, describes temporal trends and the current status of maternal mortality in the United States, and discusses future concerns.

Quality assessment of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the management of pregnant women with sickle cell disease using the AGREE II instrument: a systematic review.

Background: The management of pregnant women with sickle cell disease (SCD) poses a major challenge for maternal healthcare services owing to the potential for complications associated with morbidity and mortality. Trustworthy evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have a major impact on the positive outcomes of appropriate healthcare. The objective of this study was to critically appraise the quality of recent CPGs for SCD in pregnant women.

Prevalence of symptoms and risk of obstructive sleep apnea in Saudi pregnant women.

Background: This case-control study aimed to assess the prevalence of symptoms and risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among Saudi pregnant women.

Methods: The study included consecutive Saudi pregnant women attending the antenatal service between July 2015 and December 2016. Pregnant women were compared with an age-matched group of nonpregnant women.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of pre-pregnancy care for women with diabetes for improving maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Background: Pre-gestational diabetes mellitus is associated with increased risk of maternal and perinatal adverse outcomes. This systematic review was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of pre-conception care (PCC) in improving maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Methods: Databases from MEDLINE, EMBASE, WEB OF SCIENCE, and Cochrane Library were searched, including the CENTRAL register of controlled trials, and CINHAL up until March 2019, without any language restrictions, for any pre-pregnancy care aiming at health promotion, glycemic control, and screening and treatment of diabetes complications in women with type I or type II pre-gestational diabetes.

Saudi Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine guidance on pregnancy and coronavirus disease 2019.

[No Abstract Available]    Saudi Med J 2020; Vol. 41 (8): 779-790doi: 10.15537/smj.