Fetal Origins of Adult Disease Concept The concept of fetal origins of adult disease popularized by Barker arose from a robust association between small size at birth and the risk of chronic adult diseases, such as coronary artery disease, hypertension,…
Summary Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) broadly encompasses pregnancies complicated by poor fetal growth, where the fetus's growth is less than its genetic potential. IUGR is an important condition to recognize, as it is a common complication of pregnancy that has…
Exposure to environmental toxicants during pregnancy may have a significant impact on the developing fetus. Fetal adverse exposures are growing in importance as our population expands and the number of women participating in the workforce continues to rise. In 2015,…
Summary Over the past half-century, implementation of high-resolution screening prenatal imaging, coupled with increasingly nuanced understanding of embryology and human fetal development, have created a new surgical patient: the fetus. Through decades of rigorous scientific investigation and technical innovation, congenital…
In high-risk populations at increased risk of perinatal mortality, antenatal fetal surveillance is often employed in an attempt to prevent stillbirth. Pregnancies at risk for progressive deterioration of placental function leading to fetal hypoxemia and acidosis are most likely to…
Ultrasound has permanently changed imaging in perinatology, increasing expectations of success and improving outcomes in maternal and neonatal care. The method is safe, real time, relatively inexpensive, and readily available in hospitals and clinics worldwide. Fetal imaging is the most…
The genetic basis of human disorders is a fundamental cornerstone of modern medicine. Recent advances in our understanding of complex genetic disorders coupled with technical developments have allowed genetics to become an invaluable part of clinical practice. This chapter highlights…
Epidemiology of Health Disparities in Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine While there have been significant improvements in neonatal and infant mortality in the United States over the past 50 years, compared to other high income countries in the world, the United…
The science and practice of modern neonatology evolved as a medical specialty in the United States and the Western world over the last 70 years. Neonatology as a specialty in developing countries is still evolving. The increased attention to improving…
This chapter focuses on five strategic processes in practicing evidence-based, neonatal-perinatal medicine: (1) asking a focused clinical question; (2) searching MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, and other sources for high-quality evidence (primary reports and systematic reviews); (3) critically appraising the retrieved…