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In addition to the highly specialized care our clinicians provide to patients across the country every day, many also serve as go-to expert sources for top national and regional media outlets. Pediatrix® clinicians regularly contribute to news articles, sharing their expertise to help educate readers on popular and trending topics related to women’s and children’s health, as well as unique stories of innovative patient care.
Here’s a roundup of some of the latest stories:
Zachary Hoy, M.D., pediatric infectious disease specialist, spoke with HuffPost about a new COVID variant known as NB.1.8.1. “Currently it appears that NB.1.8.1 would have similar symptoms to other COVID variants that have recently been circulating,” said Dr. Hoy. Two of COVID’s hallmark symptoms are a mild but persistent dry cough and nasal congestion, he said. Many individuals who contract COVID also experience fatigue and tiredness. “An infected person can still make it through the day, but they are resting more and feel more tired throughout the day,” he explained. Other frequent symptoms are fever, chills, sore throat and muscle aches. “Some have described recent variants as less intense symptoms as compared to wintertime influenza viruses, but both can have severe symptoms,” said Dr. Hoy.
Fadiyla Dopwell, M.D., developmental-behavioral pediatrician, spoke with Parents about misconceptions concerning autism spectrum disorder (ASD), one being that all autistic children are unable to live independently and have relationships. Dr. Dopwell shared that there are children with comorbid diagnoses of developmental delays, intellectual developmental disorders and genetic disorders that may require continued support as they transition to adulthood. “However, there are other children who are able to live independently as adults or with minimal support from parents, have long-term relationships and have a family,” she said. “A diagnosis of ASD does not mean [your] child has challenges with intellectual functioning or academic achievement.”
Anushka Chelliah, M.D., maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialist, spoke with Parents about a new at-home blood test that predicts a pregnant person’s risk of developing preeclampsia. Dr. Chelliah shared that this test could potentially screen for preeclampsia in people without typical risk factors and serve as an effective tool for objective and molecular-based risk prediction. "It can provide early detection of preeclampsia months before symptoms, and offer options of closer surveillance and targeted interventions, which ultimately may improve outcomes,” said Dr. Chelliah. “Ultimately, this may improve management of hypertensive disease and reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality from early-onset preeclampsia."
Julie Charlton, CNM, certified nurse-midwife, spoke with BabyCenter about what a baby bump reveals about a pregnancy. While how one carries doesn’t predict the sex of the baby, it can reveal many other things like abdominal strength. Women with stronger abs often carry lower, said Charlton, and they don't usually show as soon. It can also indicate diastasis recti, which Charlton said can result in a wider, larger baby bump, and fibroids or an unusual uterine shape. "Women with large fibroids or an abnormally shaped uterus (bicornuate, for example) can have an uneven or misshaped bump," said Charlton.
Kyle Graham, M.D., obstetrician-gynecologist (OBGYN) and practice medical director, spoke with SheKnows about how patients can comfortably talk to their OBGYN about sexual health. “I regularly speak with patients who are nervous to talk about sex and birth control,” said Dr. Graham, noting that many patients find the topic embarrassing. He added there might also be “cultural reasons where sex and birth control are something not to be discussed.” When it comes to sex, many people think their problems are unique, making it difficult to discuss — “when in reality,” said Dr. Graham, “their question/concern is one that most people are also asking their doctor.”
Sasha Andrews, M.D., MFM specialist, spoke with Parents about recent findings that people infected with COVID-19 before or during pregnancy have a two to three times higher likelihood of experiencing a miscarriage before week 20 of pregnancy. "This study reviewed the incidence of miscarriage over time in their group of patients with a COVID-19 diagnosis and compared it to the group of patients that did not have a COVID-19 infection before or during pregnancy," said Dr. Andrews. "Interestingly, the miscarriage rate in this study was lower than the rate generally quoted, which is approximately 15% of recognized pregnancies.”
Sanjie Garza-Cox, M.D., neonatologist, spoke with The Bump about the dangers of putting a baby to sleep with a blanket. She explained that adults use blankets to keep warm at night because we have fully functioning nervous systems that allow us to move blankets throughout the night, change positions and control our temperature. “Babies, on the other hand, don’t have the strength to change head or body position to protect their airways and keep their lungs open,” said Dr. Garza-Cox. “They can’t untangle themselves from blankets or keep themselves from rebreathing air if a pillow or a blanket gets near their face.”
Tania Lopez, CNM, certified nurse-midwife, spoke with BabyCenter about curb walking to help kickstart labor. "Curb walking is just what it sounds like," said Lopez. "You walk in a forward motion, but one leg is up on the curb and one leg is down on street level.” She said you'll then turn and go in the opposite direction. "The idea of curb walking likely started from the notion that moving forward in a way that jostles your pelvis in different ways can help the baby move down into the pelvis in a favorable position for labor," explained Lopez. While there are many natural ways to help induce labor, ultimately, "it's better to wait until the baby is ready to make their grand entrance," she said. "Remember that pregnancy won't last forever and waiting a few days for your body to be ready for delivery helps reduce complications."
To view additional news stories, visit our newsroom.
Members of the media, we invite you to view our multispecialty media panel and request an expert source.
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