Overview Hypoxia is defined as inadequate oxygen delivery to tissues to meet metabolic demands. Hypoxaemia is a low arterial oxygen concentration (low PaO2). It is one of the causes of hypoxia. A-a Gradient The A-a gradient measures the difference between oxygen concentration in the…
Twin anaemia polycythemia syndrome (TAPS) is a rare complication of monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twins that is characterised by chronic slow transfusion of RBCs. The donor twin experiences anaemia while the recipient twin has polycythemia. TAPS occurs spontaneously in 3 – 5% of MCDA or after incomplete…
Breech presentation is when the buttocks or feet of the foetus descend into the birth canal first. It occurs in 3-4% of term pregnancies. Types of breech presentation Breech presentation Description Breech presentation The buttocks or sacrum present first, with or without…
Labour Care Guide The WHO Labour Care Guide (LCG) is a labour monitoring-to-action tool. It replaces the partograph by replacing the rigid assumption that all women should dilate at 1 cm Instead, it recognises that normal labour progression varies significantly…
Cardiac dysfunction in pregnancy may be due to exacerbation of pre-existing cardiac disease or may be a new cardiac disease triggered by the physiological changes of pregnancy. Physiological cardiovascular changes in pregnancy Parameter Change Cardiac output ↑ 20–50% Stroke volume ↑ ~25% in…
Multiple gestations refer to a pregnancy with more than one fetus. A twin pregnancy is when two fetuses develop in the uterus simultaneously. Multiple gestations are associated with a higher rate of almost every potential complication of pregnancy, excluding post-term delivery and…
Mastitis is a regional infection of the breast. It commonly occurs in lactating mothers due to bacterial infection and/or obstruction of the milk duct. It is a clinical diagnosis
Septic thrombophlebitis is characterised by a venous thrombus, inflammation of the vein, and pus formation. It can affect superficial or deep veins. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common causative organism. Septic thrombophlebitis is suspected when there is: Causes of septic thrombophlebitis Category/Vessel Causes Nota…