Breastfeeding in Mothers with COVID-19: A Research Review
This week, our focus on the role of breastfeeding in breast cancer reduction as well as its many benefits for mother and child continues as we review research that highlights evidence suggesting breastfeeding is safe in the setting of COVID-19 as long as proper infection control measures are in place. The article reviewed this week is titled, “Breastfeeding mothers with COVID-19 infection: a case series.” It was published in August 2020 by Pereira et al in the International Breastfeeding Journal. Jenny Chen, a fourth-year medical student, summarized the article while completing the fertility awareness elective offered by FACTS through Georgetown University School of Medicine.
*Please note that new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) addressing neonates potentially at risk for COVID-19 infection were published five days ago. The updated document refers to the growing body of research indicating that spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 appears to be primarily via respiratory droplets.
Breastfeeding During Pandemics: Protecting Mother and Child
During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we celebrate the role of breastfeeding in breast cancer reduction as well as its many other benefits for mother and child. To raise awareness about breastfeeding, we will publish two timely reviews on the importance of assessing the evidence about risks and benefits of breastfeeding during pandemics. This post is a review of an article published this summer in the “International Breastfeeding Journal”. It was written by Sara Peterson, a fourth-year medical student enrolled in the FACTS elective at Georgetown University School of Medicine.
FACTS Speaker Feature: Angela Maupin Kristan, MD
Throughout 2020 we are featuring a FACTS-trained speaker each month to highlight the depth of knowledge and expertise of our talented pool of presenters. Our series continues this week with Dr. Angela Kristan, a family physician in Rochester, NY with expertise and interest in women’s health as well as geriatrics. She is passionate about making evidence-based information available to medical professionals beginning in medical school.
Letrozole vs. Clomiphene for Infertility in PCOS: A Research Review
The research article[i] reviewed in this week’s post was published in 2014 in the New England Journal of Medicine and is titled, “Letrozole versus Clomiphene for Infertility in the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.” It is the last article in our four-week series during PCOS Awareness Month and provides a more in-depth look at two options for medical management. The research was summarized by a fourth-year medical student who participated in the FACTS fertility awareness elective offered at Georgetown University School of Medicine.
Medical and Surgical Treatment Options for PCOS: A Research Review
This is a review of research published earlier this year in the International Journal of Fertility and Sterility titled, “Medical and Surgical Treatment of Reproductive Outcomes in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: An Overview of Systematic Reviews.” It was written by Dr. Kaitlin VanderKolk as part of the fertility awareness elective taught through Georgetown University School of Medicine.
Way Beyond Family Planning: FABM Helps Diagnose PCOS
During Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Awareness Month, we tell the story of how using a fertility awareness-based method (FABM) helped diagnose a luteal phase defect and PCOS in a woman we will call Gina to protect her privacy. Using the Creighton Model along with the science of NaProTechnology was such a positive experience that this patient decided to train as a Creighton Model practitioner to teach women and couples how to use this method. This interview with a patient is part of our series that highlights the reality of using FABMs. Anna Goodwin was a second-year medical student when she conducted this interview as part of a two-week online elective at Georgetown University.