Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) announced the availability of triplets monitoring functionality for its industry-leading line of obstetrical care fetal and maternal monitors, Avalon FM20 antepartum and Avalon FM30 intrapartum. Philips is the first company to introduce a fetal monitor that enables non-invasive triplets monitoring with a single device.
Intrauterine contraception (IUC) is very effective, with a failure rate of less than one percent (similar to that of sterilization), which is one reason why many female ob/gyns choose this method of birth control for themselves. In fact, research shows that female ob/gyns are nine times more likely to choose an IUC for themselves compared with women in general. Misinformation and misperceptions about the IUC may have contributed to its limited use among women in the U.S. to date.
Novartis announced the US regulatory approval of Tyzeka(TM) (telbivudine) as a new once-a-day oral treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis B, a disease estimated to affect about 1.25 million people in the US but more than 350 million globally and considered the tenth leading cause of death.
Felicia Simms of Vernon, B.C., had the girls by caesarean section Wednesday. Doctors in Vancouver have completed the caesarean section delivery of conjoined twin girls to a young mother. The 65-minute delivery was carried out by a team of 16 doctors and nurses at B.C. Children’s Hospital, with the babies’ time of birth set at 12:05 p.m. PT.
Pregnant women are likely to be offered flu vaccination in the later stages of pregnancy because of the strain that the illness could put on their heart and lungs in childbirth. The move is likely to cause concern among some pregnant women who are already anxious about advice that is offered on what foods and medications are safe.
An observational prospective study was conducted by AS Olafsdottir,a GV Skuladottir,b I Thorsdottir,a A Hauksson,c L Steingrimsdottird to investigate the interaction of smoking status and dietary intake during pregnancy and its relationship to maternal weight gain and birth size parameters in four hundred and eight healthy pregnant Icelandic women.
A Cross-sectional study “Seasonal patterns and preterm birth: a systematic review of the literature and an analysis in a London-based cohort” conducted by SJ Lee,a PJ Steer,b V Filippia at Eighteen maternity units in a London health region from 1988 to 2000. The objectives of this study included a systematic review of the countries in which a seasonal pattern of preterm birth has been reported and an analysis on the seasonal variability of preterm birth in a London-based cohort.
Caesarean section rates in Chile are reported to be as high as 60% in some populations. A new study “Chilean women’s preferences regarding mode of delivery: which do they prefer and why?” conducted by ACE Angeja,a AE Washington,a JE Vargas,a R Gomez,b I Rojas,c AB Caugheya. The purpose of this study was to determine pregnant Chilean women’s preferences towards mode of delivery.
To test the null hypothesis that, after 28 weeks of gestation, uterine blood flow during supine rest and supine exercise is no different than uterine blood flow at left-lateral rest, RM Jeffreys,a W Stepanchak,a B Lopez,a,b J Hardis,a JF Clapp IIIa,b,c conducted study in pregnant women at Department of Obstetrics, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval of a new 300 mg single capsule formulation of REYATAZ? (atazanavir sulfate) for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults as part of combination therapy. Taken once daily along with ritonavir and food as part of a anti-HIV drug regimen, the REYATAZ 300 mg single capsule formulation can replace two REYATAZ 150 mg capsules for: patients who have previously received anti-HIV medicines, patients who will be receiving tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, and patients who have never taken anti-HIV medicines that require SUSTIVA? (efavirenz) as part of their anti-HIV drug regimen. The REYATAZ single capsule formulation will be available in the United States within seven business days.