Avoiding Inappropriate Clinical Decisions Based on False-Positive Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Test Results

Number 278

(Reaffirmed 2013)

ABSTRACT: Clinically significant false-positive human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) test results are rare. However, some individuals have circulating factors in their serum (eg, heterophilic antibodie...

Guidelines for Diagnostic Imaging During Pregnancy

Number 299

(Reaffirmed 2009, Replaces No. 158, September 1995)

ABSTRACT: Undergoing a single diagnostic X-ray procedure does not result in radiation exposure adequate to threaten the well-being of the developing preembryo, embryo, or fetus and is not an indicati...

Screening for Tay - Sachs Disease

Number 318

(Reaffirmed 2010, Replaces No. 162, November 1995)

ABSTRACT: Tay–Sachs disease (TSD) is a severe progressive neurologic disease that causes death in early childhood. Carrier screening should be offered before pregnancy to individuals and couples at h...

Inappropriate Use of the Terms Fetal Distress and Birth Asphyxia

Number 326

ABSTRACT: The Committee on Obstetric Practice is concerned about the continued use of the term "fetal distress" as an antepartum or intrapartum diagnosis and the term "birth asphyxia" as a neonatal d...

The Apgar Score

Number 333

(Reaffirmed 2010, Replaces No. 174, July 1996)

ABSTRACT: The Apgar score provides a convenient shorthand for reporting the status of the newborn infant and the response to resuscitation. The Apgar score has been used inappropriately to predict sp...

Umbilical Cord Blood Gas and Acid-Base Analysis

Number 348

(Reaffirmed 2012)

ABSTRACT: Umbilical cord blood gas and acid-base assessment are the most objective determinations of the fetal metabolic condition at the moment of birth. Moderate and severe newborn encephalopathy, ...

Patient Testing Ethical Issues in Selection and Counseling

Number 363

(Reaffirmed 2012)

ABSTRACT: Recommendations to patients about testing should be based on current medical knowledge, a concern for the patient's best interests, and mutual consultation. In addition to establishing a di...

Fetal Monitoring Prior to Scheduled Cesarean Delivery

Number 382

(Reaffirmed 2010)

ABSTRACT: There are insufficient data to determine the value of fetal monitoring prior to scheduled cesarean delivery in patients without risk factors.   With the increasing rate of schedule...

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Number 389

ABSTRACT: Because human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection often is detected through prenatal and sexually transmitted disease testing, an obstetrician–gynecologist may be the first health profes...

Preimplantation Genetic Screening for Aneuploidy

Number 430

ABSTRACT: Preimplantation genetic screening differs from preimplantation genetic diagnosis for single gene disorders and was introduced for the detection of chromosomal aneuploidy. Current data does ...

Postpartum Screening for Abnormal Glucose Tolerance in Women Who Had Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Number 435

ABSTRACT: Establishing the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus offers an opportunity not only to improve pregnancy outcome, but also to decrease risk factors associated with the subsequent dev...

The Role of Transvaginal Ultrasonography in the Evaluation of Postmenopausal Bleeding

Number 440

(Reaffirmed 2011)

Cancer of the endometrium is the most common type of gynecologic cancer in the United States. In 2008, an estimated 40,100 cases of cancer of the endometrium will occur and an estimated 7,470 deaths ...

Preconception and Prenatal Carrier Screening for Genetic Diseases in Individuals of Eastern European Jewish Descent

Number 442

(Replaces No. 298, August 2004)

ABSTRACT: Certain autosomal recessive disease conditions are more prevalent in individuals of Eastern European Jewish (Ashkenazi) descent. Previously, the American College of Obstetricians and Gyneco...

Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization in Prenatal Diagnosis

Number 446

ABSTRACT: The widespread use of array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) for the diagnosis of genomic rearrangements in children with idiopathic mental retardation, developmental delay, and mult...

Screening for Depression During and After Pregnancy

Number 453

(Reaffirmed 2012)

Abstract: Depression is very common during pregnancy and the postpartum period. At this time, there is insufficient evidence to support a firm recommendation for universal antepartum or postpartum sc...

Use of Hysterosalpingography After Tubal Sterilization

Number 458

ABSTRACT: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved two devices for hysteroscopic tubal sterilization. To minimize the failure rates of these effective methods, it is important for health c...

Carrier Screening for Fragile X Syndrome

Number 469

(Replaces No. 338, June 2006)

ABSTRACT: Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited form of mental retardation. The syndrome occurs in approximately 1 in 3,600 males and 1 in 4,000–6,000 females. Approximately 1 in 250 female...

Newborn Screening

Number 481

(Replaces No. 393, December 2007)

ABSTRACT: Newborn screening programs are mandatory, state-based public health programs. They provide newborns in the United States with presymptomatic testing and necessary follow-up care for a varie...

Update on Carrier Screening for Cystic Fibrosis

Number 486

(Replaces No. 325, December 2005)

ABSTRACT: In 2001, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American College of Medical Genetics introduced guidelines for prenatal and preconception carrier screening for cyst...

At-Risk Drinking and Alcohol Dependence - Obstetric and Gynecologic Implications

Number 496

(Reaffirmed 2013)

ABSTRACT: Compared with men, at-risk alcohol use by women has a disproportionate effect on their health and lives, including reproductive function and pregnancy outcomes. Obstetrician–gynecologists h...