Ashlesha K. Dayal

Simulation training improves medical students' learning experiences when performing real vaginal deliveries.

Objective: To determine the relationship between simulation training for vaginal delivery maneuvers and subsequent participation in live deliveries during the clinical rotation and to assess medical students’ performance and confidence in vaginal delivery maneuvers with and without simulation training. Methods: Medical students were randomized to receive or not to receive simulation training for vaginal delivery maneuvers on a mannequin simulator at the start of a 6-week clerkship. Both groups received traditional didactic and clinical teaching. One researcher, blinded to randomization, scored student competence of delivery maneuvers and overall delivery performance on simulator. Delivery performance was scored (1–5, with 5 being the highest) at weeks 1 and 5 of the clerkship. Students were surveyed to assess self-confidence in the ability to perform delivery maneuvers at weeks 1 and 5, and participation in live deliveries was evaluated using student obstetric patient logs. Results: Thirty-three students were randomized, 18 to simulation training [simulation group (SIM)] and 15 to no simulation training [control group (CON)]. Clerkship logs demonstrated that SIM students participated in more deliveries than CON students (9.8 ± 3.7 versus 6.2 ± 2.8, P < 0.005). SIM reported increased confidence in ability to perform a vaginal delivery, when compared with CON at the end of the clerkship (3.81 ± 0.83 versus 3.00 ± 1.0, respectively, P < 0.05). The overall delivery performance score was significantly higher in SIM, when compared with CON at week 1 (3.94 ± 0.94 versus 2.07 ± 1.22, respectively, P < 0.001) and week 5 (4.88 ± 0.33 versus 4.31 ± 0.63, P < 0.001) in the simulated environment. Conclusions: Students who receive simulation training participate more actively in the clinical environment during the course of the clerkship. Student simulation training is beneficial to learn obstetric skills in a minimal risk environment, demonstrate competency with maneuvers, and translate this competence into increased clinical participation and confidence.

Acute headache diagnosis in pregnant women A hospital-based study

Objective: To characterize demographic and clinical features in pregnant women presenting with acute headache, and to identify clinical features associated with secondary headache. Methods: We conducted a 5-year, single-center, retrospective study of consecutive pregnant women presenting to acute care with headache receiving neurologic consultation. Results: The 140 women had a mean age of 29 ± 6.4 years and often presented in the third trimester (56.4%). Diagnoses were divided into primary (65.0%) and secondary (35.0%) disorders. The most common primary headache disorder was migraine (91.2%) and secondary headache disorders were hypertensive disorders (51.0%). The groups were similar in demographics, gestational ages, and most headache features. In univariate analysis, secondary headaches were associated with a lack of headache history (36.7% vs 13.2%, p = 0.0012), seizures (12.2% vs 0.0%, p = 0.0015), elevated blood pressure (55.1% vs 8.8%, p < 0.0001), fever (8.2% vs 0.0%, p = 0.014), and an abnormal neurologic examination (34.7% vs 16.5%, p = 0.014). In multivariate logistic regression, elevated blood pressure (odds ratio [OR] 17.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.2–56.0) and a lack of headache history (OR 4.9, 95% CI 1.7–14.5) had an increased association with secondary headache, while psychiatric comorbidity (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.021–0.78) and phonophobia (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.09–0.91) had a reduced association with secondary headache. Conclusions: Among pregnant women receiving inpatient neurologic consultation, more than one-third have secondary headache. Diagnostic vigilance should be heightened in the absence of a headache history and if seizures, hypertension, or fever are present. Attack features may not adequately distinguish primary vs secondary disorders, and low thresholds for neuroimaging and monitoring for preeclampsia are justified.

Peripheral nerve blocks in the treatment of migraine in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of peripheral nerve blocks in a case series of pregnant women with migraine. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all pregnant patients treated with peripheral nerve blocks for migraine over a 5-year period was performed. Injections targeted greater occipital, auriculotemporal, supraorbital, and supratrochlear nerves using local anesthetics. RESULTS: Peripheral nerve blocks were performed 27 times in 13 pregnant women either in a single (n=6) or multiple (n=7) injection series. Mean patient age was 28 years and gestational age was 23.5 weeks, and all women had migraine, including 38.5% who had chronic migraine. Peripheral nerve blocks were performed for status migrainosus (51.8%) or short-term prophylaxis of frequent headache attacks (48.1%). Before peripheral nerve blocks were performed, oral medications failed for all patients and intravenous medications failed for most. In patients with status migrainosus, average pain reduction was 4.0 (±2.6 standard deviation) (P<.001) immediately postprocedure and 4.0 (±4.4 standard deviation) (P=.007) 24 hours postprocedure in comparison to preprocedure pain. For patients receiving peripheral nerve blocks for short-term prophylaxis, immediate mean pain score reduction was 3.0 (±2.1 standard deviation). No patients had any serious immediate, procedurally related adverse events, and the two patients who had no acute pain reduction ultimately developed preeclampsia and had postpartum headache resolution. CONCLUSION: Peripheral nerve blocks for treatment-refractory migraine may be an effective therapeutic option in pregnancy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III

Neuromyelitis optica in pregnancy complicated by posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, eclampsia and fetal death.

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a demyelinating syndrome characterized by optic neuritis and acute myelitis with poor recovery and a progressive course. We report a poor outcome complicated by posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) and eclampsia and review available literature and current evidence for anticipation of adverse fetal and maternal effects. After a pregnancy complicated by multiple admissions for painful NMO exacerbations, a primiparous patient with seropositive NMO presented at 31 + 3/7 weeks with eclampsia, HELLP and subsequent fetal death. MRI confirmed PRES. NMO may be associated with eclampsia and leads to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Posited mechanisms include antibody-mediated placental damage and a heightened risk of eclampsia-associated PRES. Further characterization of the course of NMO and its relationship with pregnancy outcomes in larger series would be invaluable.

A Fatal Case of Strongyloidiasis in Pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Strongyloides stercoralis is a common human parasite worldwide and has been associated with severe infection in immunosuppressed patients. High mortality rates have accompanied this severe disseminated infection. There is a scarcity of literature surrounding severe Strongyloides infection in pregnancy. CASE: A 30-year-old primigravid Haitian woman at 25 weeks of gestation presented with acute abdominal pain and an abnormal fetal heart tracing. Mild anemia and eosinophilia were laboratory abnormalities on admission. She received corticosteroids for the fetus and subsequently developed septic shock. Sputum and stool were positive for S stercoralis larvae. Hyperinfection was diagnosed, stillbirth occurred, and the patient died. CONCLUSION: A more global awareness and education surrounding helminth infection during pregnancy may improve response, reduce delay in diagnosis, and potentially improve outcome.

Case-based Nutrition Teaching for Medical Students

*Address for correspondence: Ashlesha K. Dayal, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women’s Health, Jack D. Weiler Hospital of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1825 Eastchester Road, 7 Floor, Bronx, NY 10461; Phone: (718) 904-2767; Fax: (718) 904-2799; E-mail: ashdayal@yahoo.com This paper was presented as a poster at the annual meeting of CREOG-APGO on March 2-5, 2005 in Salt Lake City, Utah. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2007.09.010

Acute oligohydramnios and deteriorating fetal biophysical profile associated with severe preeclampsia.

Acute changes in fetal biophysical profile (BPP) status usually include rapid cessation of all nonessential acute biophysical activities, yet not necessarily an acute decrease in the amniotic fluid volume, or oligohydramnios. A 36-year-old para 3 with early third-trimester severe preeclampsia, mild placental abruption, and fetal growth restriction, with a reassuring BPP of 8/8, was managed expectantly with intravenous magnesium sulfate, hydralazine, and intramuscular corticosteroids. Within 20 h of admission a marked change in the BPP was noted, with a score of 0/8. Amniotic fluid index (AFI), which on admission had been 20.1, progressively became 0, despite a stable normovolemic maternal status. At immediate cesarean, a mildly acidotic and hypoxic fetus was delivered which subsequently did well. This case supports the concept that acute oligohydramnios may develop rapidly in the presence of acute fetal hypoxemia.

Delivery Outcomes of Patients with Acute Migraine in Pregnancy: A Retrospective Study

To describe labor and delivery outcomes in pregnant patients presenting to the hospital setting with an acute severe migraine headache attack earlier in the same gestation.

Universal Cervical Length Screening and Antenatal Corticosteroid Timing

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relationship between universal transvaginal screening for short cervical length in the second trimester and the timing of antenatal corticosteroids. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with nonanomalous singleton gestations and spontaneous preterm birth between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation after the initiation of a universal transvaginal cervical length screening program between October 2012 and August 2015. Our primary outcome was antenatal corticosteroid administration to a delivery interval of fewer than 7 days. Secondary outcomes were delivery 24 hours to 7 days after the initial steroid injection, steroid administration to delivery interval, neonatal survival, neonatal intensive care unit length of stay, and respiratory distress syndrome. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the association between antenatal corticosteroid timing and the diagnosis of a short cervix adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS Among 266 eligible patients, 69 with a short cervical length and 197 without a short cervical length were identified. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between the groups. During the study period, 64 of 69 (92.8%) of patients with a short cervix and 176 of 197 (89.3%) without a short cervix received at least one steroid injection before delivery (P=.411). Steroids were given within 7 days of delivery in 33 of 69 (47.8) patients with a short cervix compared with 126 of 197 (64%) patients in the no short cervix group (P=.015; adjusted odds ratio 0.51, 95% confidence interval 0.29-0.9). Median interval between steroid administration and delivery was 8 days in patients diagnosed with a short cervix compared with 3 days for those without a short cervical length (P<.001). CONCLUSION Patients identified as having a short cervical length by universal transvaginal ultrasound screening were at greater risk of delivering more than 7 days after the initiation of corticosteroids for fetal lung maturation compared with women without a short cervical length.

Breaking Bad News in obstetrics: a randomized trial of simulation followed by debriefing or lecture

Abstract Objective: Although communication skills represent an increasingly important aspect of medical care, little has been done to assess the best method of teaching these skills. Our study was designed to assess simulation-debriefing compared to lecture in teaching skills for Breaking Bad News (BBN) in obstetrics. Methods: This is a randomized prospective trial of house staff from a large academic medical center. Subjects initially underwent baseline simulation, followed by evaluation on BBN skills by themselves, a faculty observer, and the standardized patient (SP). The subjects were then immediately randomized to a debriefing session by faculty or to a lecture about BBN. Subsequently, both groups underwent a second simulation with the same three assessments, yielding post-intervention data. Results: 35 subjects completed both simulations. Both debriefing and lecture curricula showed improvement in scores by self (p = 0.010) and faculty (p < 0.001). The debriefing group improved significantly more than the lecture group for self-evaluation; additionally, improvements were greater for the debrief group in verbal and nonverbal skills. Long-term follow-up three months after both interventions demonstrated continued improvement in BBN. Conclusions: Simulation training with debriefing is effective for teaching communication skills, and superior to lecture for self-perceived improvement. Long-term follow-up suggested retention of confidence in BBN skills.