Peridontal diseases are gram-negative anaerobic infections that can occur in women of childbearing age (18 to 34 years). In the present investigation we sought to determine whether the prevalence of maternal periodontal infection could be associated with preterm low birth weight (PLBW), controlling for known risk factors and potential covariates. A case-control study of 124 pregnant or postpartum mothers was performed. PLBW cases were defined as a mother with a birth of less than 2,500 g and one or more of the following: gestational age < 37 weeks, preterm labor (PTL), or premature rupture of membranes (PROM). Controls were normal birth weight infants (NBW). Assessments included a broad range of known obstetric risk factors, such as tobacco use, drug use, alcohol consumption, level of prenatal care, parity, genitourinary infections, and nutrition. Each subject received a periodontal examination to determine clinical attachment level. PLBW cases and primiparous PLBW cases (n = 93) had significantly worse periodontal disease than the respective NBW controls. Multivariate logistic regression models, controlling for other risk factors and covariates, demonstrated that periodontal disease is a statistically significant risk factor for PLBW with adjusted odds ratios of 7.9 and 7.5 for all PLBW cases and primiparous PLBW cases, respectively. These data indicate that periodontal diseases represent a previously unrecognized and clinically significant risk factor for preterm low birth weight as a consequence of either PTL or preterm PROM.

Periodontal diseases are Gram-negative anaerobic infections that can occur in women of childbearing age (18 to 34 years). In the present investigation we sought to determine whether the prevalence of maternal periodontal infection could be associated with preterm low birth weight (PLBW), controlling for known risk factors and potential covariates. A case-control study of 124 pregnant or postpartum mothers was performed. PLBW cases were defined as a mother with a birth of less than 2,500 g and one or more of the following: gestational age <37 weeks, preterm labor (PTL), or premature rupture of membranes (PROM). Controls were normal birth weight infants (NBW). Assessments included a broad range of known obstetric risk factors, such as tobacco use, drug use, alcohol consumption, level of prenatal care, parity, genitourinary infections, and nutrition. Each subject received a periodontal examination to determine clinical attachment level. PLBW cases and primiparous PLBW cases (n = 93) had significantly worse periodontal disease than the respective NBW controls. Multivariate logistic regression models, controlling for other risk factors and covariates, demonstrated that periodontal disease is a statistically significant risk factor for PLBW with adjusted odds ratios of 7.9 and 7.5 for all PLBW cases and primiparous PLBW cases, respectively. These data indicate that periodontal diseases represent a previously unrecognized and clinically significant risk factor for preterm low birth weight as a consequence of either PTL or preterm PROM. J Periodontol 1996;67:1103-1113.

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Trauma and/or accidental injury complicates 6-7% of all pregnancies. The management protocols for trauma in pregnancy are based largely on case reports and small series. The purposes of this study were to: describe the demographics of pregnant trauma patients at a tertiary care center and a large community hospital; identify variables predictive of fetal outcome including an examination of Kleihauer-Betke and nonstress testing; and recommend an evaluation and management protocol after trauma based on empirical data rather than anecdotal reports. Data from pregnancies complicated by trauma from July 1987 through October 1993 were retrospectively reviewed. Statistical analysis included Chi-square and Kruskall-Wallis testing. There were 476 medical records available for review. Of the trauma cases, 54.6% were motor vehicle accidents, 22.3% were domestic abuse and assaults, 21.8% were associated with falls, and 1.3% were secondary to burns, puncture wounds, or animal bites. Mean maternal age was 24 years, 49.9% were Caucasian, and 43% were primigravid. Mean gestational age at occurrence of trauma was 25.9 weeks and mean gestational age of delivery was 37.9 weeks. Domestic abuse occurred most frequently before 18 weeks, falls between 20-30 weeks' gestation, and motor vehicle accidents occurred with equal frequency throughout gestation. Uterine contractions occurred in 39.8% of patients and as often as every 1 to 5 min in 18% of patients. Preterm labor occurred in 11.4%, preterm delivery in 25%, and abruptions in 1.58% of the trauma population. Fetal heart rate monitoring was abnormal in 3% of cases. Twenty-seven perinatal deaths were noted and in 14 pregnancies the deaths were related to trauma. Eight of these perinatal deaths were associated with motor vehicle accidents, four with domestic violence, and two with falls. The only preventable perinatal deaths were a twin pregnancy transferred with nonreassuring fetal heart tones. Early warning symptoms of vaginal bleeding, uterine contractions, and/or abdominal and/or uterine tenderness were not predictive of either preterm delivery or adverse pregnancy outcome, sensitivity 52%, specificity 48%. Abnormal monitoring and positive Kleihauer-Betke tests were also not predictive of adverse pregnancy outcome. However, there were no adverse outcomes directly related to trauma when monitoring was normal and early warning symptoms were absent (negative predictive value 100%). Two hundred eighty-nine Kleihauer-Betke tests were performed and only one affected management. Repetitive monitoring over several days did not uncover any patients whose heart rate tracings evolved from normal to abnormal monitoring. Given our findings that prolonged monitoring was not helpful in management of pregnant trauma patients, we support the recommendation that initial external fetal monitoring be performed for 4 hr, and, if reassuring, the patient may be sent home with precautions. We also recommend an Rh-immunoglobulin work-up for all Rh-negative pregnant trauma patients, but do not recommend Kle...

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Abstract-This is the first scientific statement from the American Heart Association on maternal resuscitation. This document will provide readers with up-to-date and comprehensive information, guidelines, and recommendations for all aspects of maternal resuscitation. Maternal resuscitation is an acute event that involves many subspecialties and allied health providers; this document will be relevant to all healthcare providers who are involved in resuscitation and specifically maternal resuscitation. Key Words: AHA Scientific Statements ■ cardiopulmonary resuscitation ■ heart arrest ■ pregnancy © 2015 American Heart Association, Inc.Circulation is available at http://circ.ahajournals.org DOI: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000300The American Heart Association makes every effort to avoid any actual or potential conflicts of interest that may arise as a result of an outside relationship or a personal, professional, or business interest of a member of the writing panel. Specifically, all members of the writing group are required to complete and submit a Disclosure Questionnaire showing all such relationships that might be perceived as real or potential conflicts of interest.This statement was approved by the American Heart Association Science Advisory and Coordinating Committee on July 6, 2015, and the American Heart Association Executive Committee on August 24, 2015. A copy of the document is available at http://my.americanheart.org/statements by selecting either the "By Topic" link or the "By Publication Date" link. To purchase additional reprints, call 843-216-2533 or e-mail kelle.ramsay@wolterskluwer.com.The online-only Data Supplement is available with this article at http://circ.ahajournals.org/lookup/suppl/doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000300/-/DC1. The American Heart Association requests that this document be cited as follows: Jeejeebhoy FM, Zelop CM, Lipman S, Carvalho B, Joglar J, Mhyre JM, Katz VL, Lapinsky SE, Einav S, Warnes CA, Page RL, Griffin RE, Jain A, Dainty KN, Arafeh J, Windrim R, Koren G, Callaway CW; on behalf of the American Heart Association Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee, Council on Cardiopulmonary, Critical Care, Perioperative and Resuscitation, Council on Cardiovascular Diseases in the Young, and Council on Clinical Cardiology. Cardiac arrest in pregnancy: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2015;132:1747-1773 Expert peer review of AHA Scientific Statements is conducted by the AHA Office of Science Operations. For more on AHA statements and guidelines development, visit http://my.americanheart.org/statements and select the "Policies and Development" link.Permissions: Multiple copies, modification, alteration, enhancement, and/or distribution of this document are not permitted without the express permission of the American Heart Association. Instructions for obtaining permission are located at http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/General/CopyrightPermission-Guidelines_UCM_300404_Article.jsp. A link to the "Copyright Permissions Request Form" appears on the right ...

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