Chapters authored
Birth Control and Family Planning Using Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)
Intrauterine devices (IUDs) represent one of the most important methods used for contraception. The methods vary in terms of efficiency, acceptability, costs, and potential complications. Early methods have been improved, and ultrasound (US) evaluation has become an important tool to diagnose the clear majority of IUDs complications. This chapter presents a comprehensive and up-to-date status regarding the use of intrauterine devices (IUDs) for birth control and family planning. The topics discussed in the manuscript will involve the current knowledge on the history, types, mechanisms, health benefits, and risks. More, the present paper presents the medical techniques for inserting and removing a IUD, and the role of US to confirm proper IUD placement. Also, this chapter offers practical guidance in managing problems of continuing users and discusses the clinical circumstances that require reconsideration of the contraception methods.
Part of the book: Family Planning
Congenital Abnormalities of the Fetal Heart
Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most frequent congenital malformations, the costliest hospital admissions for structural defects and the leading cause of infant general and malformations related mortality. Fetal echocardiography represents a skilled ultrasound examination, because of the complexity, physiological and structural particularities of the fetal heart. The efficiency of the cardiac scan is reported with great variation, depending on the scanning protocol, examiner experience and equipment quality but CHDs remains among the most frequently missed congenital abnormalities.
Part of the book: Congenital Anomalies
The Antenatal Detection of Fetal Limb Anomalies
The etiology of fetal limb abnormalities is very complex, involving different risk factors: chromosomal abnormalities, gene disorders, intrauterine factors, maternal diseases, or exposure to different risk factors. The prevalence of fetal limb anomalies is reported to be approximately 6 in 10,000 live births, and the impairments of the upper limbs seem to present a higher incidence in comparison to the inferior limbs, more often are affected unilaterally and on the right side in comparison to the left side, some being isolate or may associate other anomalies, as a part of an underlying syndrome. According to the current guidelines, the assessment of the fetal limbs should be performed in the late first and early second trimester. Three-dimensional ultrasound provides a better understanding of the fetal anomaly for the parents and helps a better counseling, and it is used to confirm the anomalies detected by the conventional ultrasound. In cases of treatable anomalies, a multidisciplinary approach involving an obstetrician, geneticist, neonatologist, pediatrician, and pediatric orthopedic surgeon is essential to improve the postnatal outcome. Ultrasound examination and genetic counseling for the parents has an important benefit since some conditions present a genetic inheritance, and the recurrence rate in further pregnancies is very high.
Part of the book: Congenital Anomalies