Based on a survey of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy Women's Health Practice and Research Network and our own experience, the pharmacy profession has limited involvement in obstetric pharmacotherapy. We believe that such involvement in pregnancies with complicated conditions can result in significant improvement of pregnancy outcomes. Moreover, we ...

Objectives- The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics and outcomes of umbilical cord hernias diagnosed prenatally. Methods- We conducted a retrospective study of all pregnancies with the diagnosis of a fetal umbilical cord hernia during a 5-year period. All women received care from a multidisciplinary team and ...

Abstract Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP), the most common medical condition of pregnancy affects up to 80% of all pregnancies to some extent, and hyperemesis gravidarum does less than 1% of pregnant women. When hyperemesis gravidarum induces diaphragmatic tear, diagnosis can be missed because of non-specific presentation with abdominal ...

A 28 year old woman presented with a spontaneous rupture of an umbilical hernia in her seventh month of pregnancy. She had four previous unsupervised normal deliveries. There was no history of trauma or application of herbal medicine on the hernia. The hernia sac ruptured at the inferior surface where ...

Round ligament varicosities during pregnancy are rare, and can easily be mistaken for an inguinal hernia. On physical examination, round ligament varicosities and groin hernia are difficult to distinguish. The diagnosis of round ligament varicosities can be established on gray-scale and color Doppler sonography. We experienced a case of round ...

Abstract Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) may occur during pregnancy, but its prevalence is very low. It is conjectured that SSNHL is closely related to the changes in the cardiovascular system, hematological system, endocrine system, and/or some other systems due to pregnancy. These changes possibly evoke disorders of cochlear circulation ...

While umbilical hernias frequently occur during pregnancy, the few reported cases of uterine or fibroid incarceration in ventral hernias during pregnancy all involved incisional abdominal wall defects from prior laparotomies and Cesarean sections; none involved umbilical hernias. We discuss the case of a 42-year-old well-developed, well-nourished grand multiparous woman (G8P7) ...

Background. The optimal treatment for management of esophageal achalasia in pregnancy is controversial. Little information exists about pregnancy outcome after successful myotomy. Case. Achalasia in pregnancy was diagnosed when a patient presented with pneumomediastinum from microrupture of the overdistended esophagus. An attempt at surgical correction failed due to the development ...

Several theories, including psychodynamic theories, sexual imprinting and early conditioning have been formulated to explain sexual development. Empirical data, however, remain insufficient for a thorough evaluation of these theories. In this study, we test the hypothesis that a critical period exists for the acquisition of sexual preferences, as suggested by ...

Prenatal malnutrition is responsible for the onset of alterations in renal Na(+) transport in the adult offspring. Here we investigated the molecular mechanisms by which increased formation of reactive oxygen species during prenatal malnutrition affects the pathways that couple angiotensin II (Ang II) receptors (AT(1)R and AT(2)R) to kidney Na(+)-ATPase ...

Maternal pancreatic islets undergo a robust increase of mass and proliferation during pregnancy, which allows a compensation of gestational insulin resistance. Studies have described that this adaptation switches to a low proliferative status after the delivery. The mechanisms underlying this reversal are unknown, but the action of glucocorticoids (GCs) is ...

Over many millions of years of independent evolution, placental, marsupial and monotreme mammals have diverged conspicuously in physiology, life history and reproductive ecology. The differences in life histories are particularly striking. Compared with placentals, marsupials exhibit shorter pregnancy, smaller size of offspring at birth and longer period of lactation in ...

We report the association of gigantomastia during pregnancy and a lactating adenoma in ectopic breast tissue of the vulva in a context of myasthenia in a 27-year-old primigravid woman. We discuss the pathophysiologic condition and management of gigantomastia that involves ectopic breast tissue during pregnancy.

Several changes in brain function, including learning and memory, have been reported during pregnancy but the molecular mechanisms involved in these changes are unknown. Due to the fundamental role of glial cells in brain activity, we analyzed the content of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the hippocampus, frontal cortex, ...

Choline, a micronutrient found in food, serves as the starting material for several important metabolites that play key roles in fetal development, particularly the brain. Although human beings' requirement for choline is unknown, an Adequate Intake level of 425 mg/day was established for women with upward adjustments to 450 and ...

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of fetal exposure to 4-n-octylphenol (OP) on the induction of mammary tumors induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All rats which showed vaginal plugs or sperm by vaginal smear test after mating were fed a normal ...

The incidence of idiopathic facial nerve palsy is higher during pregnancy and the puerperium than in nonpregnant women of childbearing age. An important association also exists between Bell's palsy and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. We describe three patients with idiopathic facial nerve palsy in pregnancy and two in the puerperium. ...

The mammary gland is an epidermal appendage that begins to form during embryogenesis, but whose development is only completed during pregnancy. Each mammary gland begins as a budlike invagination of the surface ectoderm, which then gives rise to a simple duct system by birth. Subsequent development occurs during sexual maturation ...

OBJECTIVE: To describe the changes in calcium and calcitriol requirements during pregnancy and lactation in a patient with hypoparathyroidism due to autosomal dominant hypocalcemia. METHODS: We summarize the clinical presentation and treatment of the patient and review the pertinent literature. RESULTS: Calcitriol requirements disappeared during pregnancy in a 34-year-old woman ...

To evaluate the effects of physical training of mother rats during pregnancy associated with a low-protein diet offered during pregnancy and lactation on the development and growth of the femur of their offspring. Forty 90-day old male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: pups of sedentary nourished mothers, pups ...

During pregnancy, the mammary epithelium and its supporting vasculature undergo extensive growth and proliferation in preparation for lactation, which is thought to be dependent on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We investigated the expression of VEGF, using immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting, in the mouse mammary gland during the reproductive cycle. Immunohistochemical ...

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Obesity induced, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is now the major cause in affluent countries, of the spectrum of steatosis-to-cirrhosis. Obesity and NAFLD rates in reproductive age women, and adolescents, are rising worldwide. Our hypothesis was that maternal obesity and lactation transmit to the offspring a pre-disposition ...

Delay in diagnosis of pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) is common, often attributed to the difficulty in evaluating tumours in the gravid breast, low awareness among physicians and reluctance of patients and physicians to perform imaging or invasive procedures during pregnancy. Familiarity with imaging features of PABC is crucial for prompt ...

To produce offspring, mothers require a large amount of calcium for fetal growth and milk production. Increased calcium demand leads to enhanced intestinal calcium absorption and stockpiling of bone calcium in pregnancy prior to demineralization in lactation. These coordinated events must be carefully organized by calciotropic hormone(s), but the classical ...

Leptin is an autocrine and paracrine factor which affects the development and function of mammary gland. The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence and regulatory effect of leptin in Chinese Guan Zhong dairy goat mammary gland from the virgin state to involution. The protein expression and localization ...

In rats, a shift from somatotroph dominance to lactotroph dominance during pregnancy and lactation is well reported. Somatotroph to lactotroph transdifferentiation and increased lactotroph mitotic activity are believed to account for this and associated pituitary hypertrophy. A combination of cell death and transdifferentiation away from the lactotroph phenotype has been ...

We report a case of pure gonadal dysgenesis with streak gonads in which spontaneous conception occurred 10 years after the diagnosis. Her pregnancy proceeded as normal, and she gave birth to a live baby at term by cesarean section. A lactation period lasting for 1 year and afterwards proceeded as ...

Chewing fresh leaves of the khat plant (Catha edulis Forsk) is a deep rooted and widespread habit in East Africa and the Middle East. Although a body of knowledge exists about the adverse effects of khat during pregnancy, data are sparse with regard to the consequences of long-term exposure during ...

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this experimental study was to elucidate alterations in fetal energy metabolism in relation to ECG changes during extreme fetal asphyxia, postnatal resuscitation and the immediate post-resuscitatory phase. STUDY DESIGN: Five near-term fetal sheep were subjected to umbilical cord occlusion until cardiac arrest followed by delivery, resuscitation ...

Without the vitamin D receptor (VDR), adult mammals develop reduced intestinal calcium absorption, rickets, and osteomalacia. Intestinal calcium absorption normally increases during pregnancy so that the mother can supply sufficient calcium to her fetuses. The maternal skeleton is rapidly resorbed during lactation to provide calcium needed for milk; that lost ...

The aim of maternal calcium homeostasis is to provide adequate calcium flux across the placenta during pregnancy and into breast milk during lactation, to ensure normal fetal and neonatal skeletal mineralisation. The objective of this study was to document the characteristics and outcome of patients who had postpartum hypocalcaemia. Cases ...

Background/Aims: This study investigated the effects of dietary folic acid on the expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) in the maternal brain and spinal cord during pregnancy and lactation. Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a folic-acid-supplemented diet (FS, 8 mg/kg diet) or a folic-acid-deficient diet (FD, 0 mg/kg ...

Calcium demand is increased during pregnancy. However, few randomized controlled trials examined the effects of calcium supplementation on bone mass during pregnancy. This study determined effects of calcium and milk supplementation on maternal bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover in pregnant Chinese women with habitual low calcium intake. In ...

The aim of present study was to determine the changes of sodium, potassium, chloride, copper, and zinc in serum of Nili-Ravi buffalo during pregnancy and lactation. The study was carried out on 25 Nili-Ravi buffaloes during March 2008 to February 2009 at Buffalo Research Institute, Pattoki, District Kasur. Blood samples ...

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of fetal exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) on the induction of mammary tumors induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) in female rats. Pregnant rats were fed only normal diet, diet mixed with 0.1 ppm DES throughout pregnancy period or diet mixed with 0.1, ...

Recent studies in rabbits suggest that insulin resistance and reduced brain insulin contribute to impaired baroreflex control of heart rate (HR) during pregnancy; however, the mechanisms are unknown. The rat model is ideal to investigate these mechanisms because much is known about rat brain baroreflex neurocircuitry and insulin receptor locations. ...

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to study the predictive value and feasibility of fetal scalp lactate microsampling in the management of non-reassuring fetal status during labor. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted on cord blood gas samplings from 7,617 singleton and cephalic deliveries at > or =37 weeks of gestation. ...

Offspring signalling can serve to communicate need to the parents and thus influence parental readiness to provide care. Offspring stimuli that affect parental care have been investigated extensively. Yet much less is known about the mechanisms leading to a decline in maternal motivation when conflicts of provisioning current and future ...

Consuming omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3 FA) during pregnancy and lactation is beneficial to fetal and infant development and might reduce the incidence and severity of preterm births by prolonging pregnancy. Consequently, supplementing maternal diets with large amounts of omega-3 FA is gaining acceptance. However, both over- and under-supplementation with omega-3 ...

AIM: Dominant 'yellow' mutation at the mouse agouti locus (A(y)) results in obesity. Pregnancy and lactation are characterized by large energy demand. The aim of this study was to investigate whether obesity would develop in pregnant and suckling A(y) mice. METHODS: Body weight and food intake in pregnancy, lactation, and ...

Plasma and tissue profiles of gastrointestinal hormones ghrelin and peptide YY (PYY) were investigated in different female rat reproductive states. Neither plasma nor tissue ghrelin concentrations were suppressed during pregnancy despite elevated leptin. The highest concentrations of stomach ghrelin were measured in late pregnancy. PYY concentrations in plasma, descending colon ...

A suite of changes in circadian rhythms have been described in nocturnal rodents as females go through pregnancy and lactation, but there is no information on such patterns in diurnal species. As the challenges faced by these two groups of animals are somewhat different, we characterized changes in activity and ...

Many environmental factors applied postnatally are known to affect milk production of the dam, but to date, the effects of different fetal environments on subsequent first lactational performance of the offspring have not been reported. Four hundred fifty heavy (H; 60.8 kg +/- 0.18) and 450 light (L; 42.5 kg ...

Objective. The purpose of this experimental study was to elucidate alterations in fetal energy metabolism in relation to ECG changes during extreme fetal asphyxia, postnatal resuscitation and the immediate post-resuscitatory phase. Study design. Five near-term fetal sheep were subjected to umbilical cord occlusion until cardiac arrest followed by delivery, resuscitation ...

This survey outlines the problems of drug therapy in women with early aggressive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who desire children, are pregnant, or are lactating. Solutions for treatment that benefit the mother and do not harm the fetus or the breast-fed child are discussed. The most effective immunosuppressive drugs alone or ...

Maternal intake of omega-3 (omega-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) during pregnancy has decreased, possibly contributing to a current increased risk of childhood allergy. Aim: To describe the effects of maternal omega-3 long-chain PUFA supplementation during pregnancy and lactation on the incidence of allergic disease in infancy. Methods: One hundred and ...

During lactation, the mammary gland increases the needs for nutrients to fulfill the milk production requirements. Among these nutrients, amino acids play an important role for the synthesis of milk proteins. Amino acids are supplied to the mammary gland through amino acid transporters, although some are synthesized in situ. The ...

Hypothalamic leptin resistance during pregnancy is an important adaptation that facilitates the state of positive energy balance required for fat deposition in preparation for lactation. Within the arcuate nucleus, pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurones and neuropeptide Y (NPY)/agouti-related gene protein (AgRP) neurones are first-order leptin responsive neurones involved in the regulation of ...

AIMS: This study compares the transfer from mother to fetuses and pups of selenium (Se) in the form of selenite, selenate, and selenomethionine (SeMet) labeled with different homo-elemental isotopes. MAIN METHODS: To completely substitute endogenous Se with natural abundance with Se enriched with a single stable isotope (82Se), female Wistar ...

When physicians and nurses see patients, they must be able to understand and discuss how drugs are labeled with regard to pregnancy and lactation. This article describes the current and proposed U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classification system for pregnancy and lactation labeling. Using data from animal and human ...