Mom Health
Hepatitis
The Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes inflammation and destruction of the cells of the liver. Approximately 20% of those who become infected with HBV continue to carry the virus for their lifetime. These people are called “chronic carriers”. Chronic carriers of HBV ultimately have high rates of death due to cirrhosis (liver cell destruction) and… »
Syphilis
Fortunately, syphilis is rather uncommon in the U.S. However, it is a potentially devastating disease for a fetus or newborn if not diagnosed and treated properly. Syphilis is caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum. It is spread from one person to another through sexual intercourse. A test for syphilis is a common part of… »
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasma gondii is a single-cell protozoan (a class of organisms separate from bacteria and viruses). It is commonly found in soil. It is also found in the feces of infected animals, and has a well-deserved reputation for being in the feces of cats who roam outdoors. Meat is also a source of the organism. Approximately… »
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
CMV is a virus. In children and adults, it may cause symptoms similar to a cold or mild flu. If a developing fetus becomes infected, the problems can be severe (deafness, eye problems and blindness, mental retardation and death). Cytomegalovirus infection is difficult to diagnose with precision, and very difficult to diagnose in the fetus…. »
Group B beta-Strep
Group B Strep (Strepococcus agalactiae, group B) is a common bacteria. In older children and adults, colonization of the bacteria rarely results in infection. That means one may carry the bacteria, but never show signs of disease. In fact, as many as 10-30% of the female population are carriers of the bacteria. The bacteria can… »
Toxemia – Pre-eclampsia and Hypertension in Pregnancy
For generations, the “toxemias of pregnancy” have perplexed physicans. The problem still does. We now know a lot more about the disease process than we did a 100 years ago…..but still have little clue of what causes it or how to prevent it. As recently as the early 1980′s, a reputable journal of obstetrics was… »
Gestational Diabetes
About 4% of pregnant women will develop a diabetes-like condition during their pregnancy. Like diabetes mellitis, women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitis (GDM) will have high blood sugars. If not treated, many of these women will give birth to very large babies, a condition known as macrosomia. The baby with macrosomia weighs over 4500 grams, 10… »
Diabetes Mellitis
Prior to the discovery of insulin (in 1922), the mortality rate of pregnant women with diabetes mellitis was 45%. It quicky dropped to 2% after the introduction of insulin. It became very clear that the pregnant woman with diabetes needed very special attention during her pregnancy. If you have insulin-dependent diabetes and are pregnant or… »
Fetal Fibronectin
You may start hearing more about a substance (and a test) called fetal fibronectin. Fibronectin is a protein that resides in the cells where the fetal membranes come in contact with the uterus. The fetal membranes are also known as the “bag of waters”, or amniotic sac. No one is certain what role fibronectin plays… »
Preterm Labor and Birth
9% of babies are born between the “age of viability” (about 26 weeks) and 37 weeks. These babies are born prematurely; before they are completely mature enough to function fully outside the mother. Modern medicine in the U.S. has not been able to significantly reduce the rate of premature delivery below about 9%. However, modern… »