On-Demand Videos

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) can transiently colonize the vagina, gastrointestinal tract, and urethra. While GBS colonization is usually asymptomatic in healthy adults it can cause disease in newborns including sepsis, meningitis, and pneumonia. The primary strategy for preventing disease in newborns has been intravenous intrapartum (during labor) antibiotic administration for women colonized with GBS. This strategy has been shown to be highly effective. Because administration of intrapartum antibiotics can significantly reduce transmission today, accurate detection remains critical. Several Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared real-time PCR-based NAATs are currently available for the qualitative detection of GBS in enriched broth cultures which offer laboratories sample-to-answer platforms with standardized processing, specimen extraction, amplification, and detection. These NAATs provide a shorter turnaround time to result, and demonstrate improved GBS detection rates compared to those of culture. In this education video, originally presented as a webinar in 2019, Dr. David Pride, Director of Molecular Microbiology & Associate Professor of Pathology and Medicine at the University of California, San Diego explores GBS screening and the value of NAAT testing and explains the results of comparison study of three NAATs and culture for detection of Group B Strep.

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is the leading cause of infection in newborns in the United States, which can result in septicemia, meningitis, and pneumonia. n the United States, universal screening and intrapartum antibiotic treatment for positive women has been implemented to prevent newborn disease. Historically bacterial culture has been the approach used for antenatal screening; however, culture is a slow process and compared to molecular assays offers suboptimal sensitivity. Demand for more sensitive testing and faster turnaround times is increasing. This is placing pressure on laboratories as many experience workforce shortages. Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) for the detection of GBS have the potential to remedy the limitations of GBS culture. In this education video, originally presented as a webinar in 2019, Dr. Greg Berry (Co-Director, Clinical Microbiology Service at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons) returns to further explore GBS screening and the value of NAAT testing.  Dr. Berry shares the results of a 2019 study that compares workflow and the clinical performance of two FDA approved NAATs for GBS, the Panther Fusion and BD MAX.

During the program, Michael Ruma, MD, and Derek Joyce, PhD, discuss fetal lung development, acknowledge historical contributions, summarize recently published clinical studies, describe current recommendations, and discuss controversies related to antenatal corticosteroids. Learn more about Dr. Michael Ruma and Derek Joyce, PhD

Every year, more than one out of every 10 babies are still born prematurely.*  As such, a clinician’s assessment of pre-term labor is critical, and collaboration between those caring for patients is important.  This webinar explores the topic of best practices for preterm labor triage through the experience of a maternal fetal-medicine specialist, hospitalist, and certified nurse midwife.  Patient advocacy and standardized protocols for efficiency and consistency in preterm labor assessment will also be discussed. Learn more about Dr. Richard Broth, Dr. Charles Hirt and Dr. Jessica McNeil-Santiel. *May 10, 2023 World Health Organization data  

An on-demand webinar of Michael Ruma (MD, MPH) and LaShea Haynes (MEd, MSN, APRN) presenting at the 2023 AWHONN Annual Meeting. Watch as they discuss antenatal steroids with an update on timing, controversy and implementation in practice. Learn more about Dr. Michael Ruma and Lashea Haynes.

In this webinar, Dr. Lucky Jain, a specialist in respiratory disorders of newborns, discusses the expanding role of antenatal steroids in improving outcomes. Dr. Jain will focus on the following topics: The biologic basis for the use of antenatal steroids in preterm birth The role of antenatal steroids in late preterm gestations Neonatal outcomes in preterm infants exposed to antenatal steroids During the Q&A, Dr. Lucky Jain is joined by Dr. Michael Ruma, MFM, to discuss the collaboration between clinicians when managing preterm birth. Learn more about Dr. Lucky Jain and Dr. Michael Ruma.

In this webinar, Dr. Gabrielle Cassir, OB/GYN and MFM, will discuss the evaluation and management of preterm labor with a focus on the following objectives: Review the incidence and etiology of preterm birth Detail the reality of preterm labor Evaluate evidence-based data on fetal fibronectin and transvaginal ultrasound and their role in evaluating preterm labor Assess the importance of reducing the number of false positive diagnoses Exemplify the importance of timing when it comes to interventions that can improve neonatal outcomes, particularly corticosteroid administration Discuss the effect of protocols on patients with preterm labor Learn more about Dr. Gabrielle Cassier 

In the February 2022 Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Special Statement (1), the seven days preceding preterm delivery were noted to be the optimal window for steroid administration. Steroids had the most prominent, life-saving effects on the mother and baby when used during this critical period. The webinar aims to review fetal lung development and how the timing of antenatal corticosteroids may help or harm neonatal lives when administered for this purpose. Dr. Ruma will guide the audience through historical contributions to this important topic, delve into recently published clinical studies, and discuss current recommendations and controversies. 1Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM); Rebecca Feldman Hamm, MD, MSCE; C. Andrew Combs, MD, PhD; Paola Aghajanian, MD; and Alexander M. Friedman, MD, MPH; Patient Safety and Quality Committee, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Special Statement: Quality metrics for optimal timing of antenatal corticosteroid administration, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (2022), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2022.02.021 Learn more about Dr. Michael Ruma

What is the standard of care for patients presenting with pre-term labor symptoms? Hologic invites you to a discussion about the best practices for triaging patients at risk of preterm birth. Learn about the most powerful diagnostic tools available to help safeguard baby’s arrival. Watch this Med Talk, presented by Dr. Richard Broth, MD/MFM to learn strategies for preterm labor assessment. Learn more about Dr. Richard Broth

Preterm birth is a leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. According to the World Health Organization, preterm birth complications are the leading cause of death among children under 5 years of age, responsible for approximately 1 million deaths in 20151. Antenatal corticosteroid administration, when administered properly, can reduce risks of perinatal death, respiratory morbidity, necrotizing enterocolitis, and intraventricular hemorrhage, and also reduces costs of perinatal care. In this webinar, Professor Andrew Shennan discusses the use and abuse of antenatal corticosteroids, and relevant new guidance and simple solutions to provide the pest perinatal care to patients. 1.Liu L, Oza S, Hogan D, Chu Y, Perin J, Zhu J, et al. Global, regional, and national causes of under-5 mortality in 2000-15: an updated systematic analysis with implications for the Sustainable Development Goals. Lancet. 2016;388(10063):3027-35. Learn more about Dr. Andrew Shennan.

This Fetal Fibronectin Testing in-service has been recorded to provide on-demand training for nurses, residents, and clinicians.