Hemangiomas: Low Birth Weight Means Higher Risk
Low birth weight is the most significant factor for the development of infantile hemangiomas, a common birthmark, according to a new study.

"Hemangiomas are benign tumours composed of blood vessels. Our institution has seen a dramatic increase in the number of infants presenting for care with hemangiomas," says lead researcher Beth Drolet. The researchers compared 420 children who had been diagnosed with infantile hemangiomas with 353 children less than two years old who had been diagnosed with skin anomalies other than infantile hemangioma.

While factors such as being female, Caucasian and premature birth have been previously identified as risk factors for hemangiomas, Drolet's study found that low birth weight was the most statistically significant risk factor. "For every 1.1 pound decrease in birth weight, the risk of hemangioma increased by nine-fold," says Drolet.

Recently, there has been an increase in the U.S. of infants born under 5.5 pounds. In 2005, 8.2 percent of infants born in the U. S. weighed less than 5.5 pounds. This is the highest percentage recorded since 1968 and is higher than the rate in most industrialised countries. Additionally, a dramatic increase in low birth weight has been found in white, non-Hispanic infants. Low birth weight has increased 38 percent since 1990 in this group.

Read More HERE!

If you're found to have a fertility problem, or initial tests suggest there may be one, the next step is to see a specialist who'll try to find a cause. Your GP can refer you to a department of reproductive medicine or a fertility clinic, or you can ask your GP to write a letter of referral to a private clinic. There are some specific tests that all specialists will carry out and others that may be advised.

At the fertility clinic
Some basic tests should be done within six to eight weeks of seeing the consultant for the first time. More specialised tests will be done if necessary. There can be a wait for these, so ask the clinic what timescale to expect.

Read More

A hysterosalpingogram is an X-ray of the uterus and fallopian tubes which allows visualization of the inside of the uterus and tubes. The picture will reveal any abnormalities of the uterus as well as tubal problems such as blockage and dilation (hydrosalpinx). If sterilization reversal is planned, the point at which the tubes are blocked can be seen. This helps to plan the reconstructive procedure.

If the tubes are not blocked by scar tissue or adhesions, the dye will flow into the abdominal cavity. This is a good sign but it does not guarantee that the tubes will function normally. It does give a rough estimate of the quality of the tubal structure and the status of the tubal lining. Some cases where the tubes appear to be blocked where they join the uterus, may in fact be normal. Often blockage at this location may be due to spasm of the opening from the uterus into the tube or from accumulated debris and mucus blocking the opening. This can be managed by passing a very thin catheter into the fallopian tube either at the time of hysterosalpingogram or during a hysteroscopic procedure.

Read More

A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is an X-ray test that looks at the inside of the uterus and fallopian tubes and the area around them. It often is done for women who are having a hard time becoming pregnant (infertile).

During a hysterosalpingogram, a dye (contrast material) is put through a thin tube that is put through the vagina and into the uterus. Because the uterus and the fallopian tubes are hooked together, the dye will flow into the fallopian tubes. Pictures are taken using a steady beam of X-ray (fluoroscopy) as the dye passes through the uterus and fallopian tubes. The pictures can show problems such as an injury or abnormal structure of the uterus or fallopian tubes, or a blockage that would prevent an egg moving through a fallopian tube to the uterus. A blockage also could prevent sperm from moving into a fallopian tube and joining (fertilizing) an egg. A hysterosalpingogram also may find problems on the inside of the uterus that prevent a fertilized egg from attaching (implanting) to the uterine wall. See a picture of a hysterosalpingogram.

Read More

One of the most common diagnostic tests for female infertility is a hysterosalpingogram (HSG). This simple test is basically an x-ray that can help determine the health of your fallopian tubes.

How is the Test Done?
Because a hysterosalpingogram is an x-ray, the test is generally done between day 7 and 10 of your menstrual cycle to ensure that you are not currently pregnant. The test itself shouldn’t take more than five minutes. Although a gynecologist can perform an HSG, the majority of the time a radiologist will perform the test. As a result, you will most likely to go the radiology department in a hospital to have the test done.
Before the test, the specialist will review any medications you are currently taking as well as your health history. Be sure to disclose any allergies you may have. This is important because allergies to iodine, seafood or certain dyes can make it unsafe to have a hysterosalpingogram. If an HSG is not possible for you, you will be encouraged to have a sonohysterogram instead.

Read More

This is the standard, basic x-ray study of the uterus. It is designed to study the inside of a uterus (the uterine cavity) and give a crude assessment of whether the fallopian tubes are patent.This basic procedure is offered by most hospital radiology departments and can be performed by a radiologist or a gynecologist. The process is simple. A woman is brought in to a special room that has the x-ray equipment. She is asked to lie down and put her legs in stirrups, just as if she were going to have a PAP smear. A speculum is placed in the vagina and the opening to the uterus (called the cervix) is visualized by the doctor. After cleaning the cervix with an iodine solution, a long, narrow, flexible catheter is inserted through the opening of the cervix until the tip is inside the uterine cavity.

Read More

The laparoscopy is an outpatient surgical procedure used to treat many conditions that cause   infertility including endometriosis, tubal blockage, cysts, fibroids, and others.  Two small incisions are made; one at the belly button and the other at the pubic hair line. The laparoscope, which is
a small “telescope like” device, is inserted through one of the openings and operative tools are inserted through the other. There is usually little pain associated with the laparoscopy, depending upon the procedure(s) preformed.

Advanced laparoscopy should be performed by a reproductive endocrinologist/infertility specialist. These specialists have extensive advanced training in laparoscopic surgery and can often treat conditions during the laparoscopic procedure. Many times this eliminates the need for a second “treatment” laparoscopy.

Read More