This book discusses the importance of umbilical cord and umbilicus as a unique structure, in health and in different diseases. All congenital anomalies of the umbilical cord as well as acquired diseases are explained and discussed with illustrations and animations. Starting from complications during and after birth, the book then covers childhood and adolescent umbilical abnormalities. Conditions such as umbilical stump diseases and anomalies, gastroschisis, omphalocele and urachal anomalies are discussed and explained, highlighting recent advances in their management. Among the contents are also chapters offering a cultural and historical perspective to the topic. Written by a top pediatric surgeon this book brings decades of practical knowledge to readers, highlighting the importance of the umbilicus in development and childhood health.
The placenta is an organ that connects the developing fetus to the uterine wall, thereby allowing nutrient uptake, waste elimination, and gas exchange via the mother's blood supply. Proper vascular development in the placenta is fundamental to ensuring a healthy fetus and successful pregnancy. This book provides an up-to-date summary and synthesis of knowledge regarding placental vascular biology and discusses the relevance of this vascular bed to the functions of the human placenta.
Examines the potential for stem cells gleaned from umbilical cords to generate a wealth of new therapy and healing medicines for neurological conditions and blood problems.
This book had its beginning in 1967 when Shirley G. Driscoll and Kurt Benirschke wrote in English the volume on placental pathology for the Henke-Lubarsch, the noted German Handbook of Pathology. There seemed to be a need for wider distribution of the text and it was reprinted by Springer Verlag, New York, essentially the only book available devoted just to the human placenta. Dr. Benirschke authored 5 subsequent editions in collaboration with Peter Kaufmann, Rebecca Baergen and Graham Burton in 1990 (2nd edition), 1995 (3rd edition), 2000 (4th edition), 2006 (5th edition) and 2012 (6th edition). In the early editions, the most important material was in a larger font than the extensive review of exceptions and the discussion in the literature. Since 1967, many other shorter placenta books have been published in English, French and German. None of these have included the breadth of discussion or the voluminous references which includes details of many historic articles, not readily available. Interest in the placenta has wildly expanded over the intervening 50+ years with the vast majority of Pathologists, Obstetricians and Pediatricians recognizing its value. In addition, there are now quite a few new journals, societies and meetings devoted to the placenta in both clinical and research areas. The interest extends into areas of study well beyond the realm of anatomic pathology. The 7th edition will, of necessity, differ from the prior editions which Dr. Benirschke wrote largely himself at first, and later with the help of the above noted co-authors. It will now be an international multi-authored book with nearly 40 contributors revising one or more chapters. The explosion of new information as necessitating some reordering of chapters and adding completely new chapters including Chapters 31 and 32, “Innovations in Placental Pathology” and “Imaging in Placental Pathology”. Dr. Burton’s section has been extensively edited, as well. The editors gave the new authors considerable latitude in how to write the new and/or edited chapters. Many of the revised chapters retain much of Dr. Benirschke’s anecdotal information as well as the voluminous references. Others are more modern in their approach. All contain substantial new references and current information. It is our hope that Benirschke’s Pathology of the Human Placenta will remain as a mainstay reference in placental pathology. It aims to help readers gain a broad understanding of how placental architecture is shaped during normal development, with a view to appreciating how this may be perturbed in complications of pregnancy.
Presents a comprehensive guide to caring for newborns, and contains information on health care, feeding, sleeping habits, traveling, sickness, and more.
Dear Child, Once upon a time, Your dads wanted to have a baby. It was a life-long dream of ours. We were always hopeful. Lambda Literary and Stonewall Book Award-winner Hasan Namir shares a joyful collection about parenting, fatherhood and hope. These warm free-verse poems document the journey that he and his husband took to have a child. Between love letters to their young son, Namir shares insight into his love story with his husband, the complexities of the IVF surrogacy process and the first year as a family of three. Umbilical Cord is a heartfelt book for parents or would be parents, with a universal message of hope.
With an estimated 8,000 deaths per year in the United States from complications of UCA, an initial goal of 50% reduction of loss is possible. To achieve this goal requires the recognition by the obstetrical community of the issue. Recent research into circadian rhythms may help explain why UCA stillbirth is an event between 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. Melatonin has been described as stimulating uterine contractions through the M2 receptor. Melatonin secretion from the pineal gland begins around 10:00 p.m. and peaks to 60 pg at 3:00 a.m. Serum levels decline to below 10 pg by 6:00 a.m. Uterine stimulation intensifies during maternal sleep, which can be overwhelming to a compromised fetus, especially one experiencing intermittent umbilical cord compression due to UCA. It is now time for the focus to be on screening for UCA, managing UCA prenatally, and delivery of the baby in distress defined by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists as a heart rate of 90 beats per minute for 1 minute on a recorded nonstress test. The ability of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualize UCA is well documented. The 18 20 week ultrasound review should include the umbilical cord, its characteristics, and description of its placental and fetal attachment. The American Association of Ultrasound Technologists has defined these parameters for umbilical cord abnormalities: B.1.4 Abnormal insertion B.1.5 Vasa previa B.1.6 Abnormal composition B.1.7 Cysts, hematomas, and masses B.1.8 Umbilical cord thrombosis B.1.9 Coiling, collapse, knotting, and prolapse B.1.10 Umbilical cord evaluation with sonography includes the appearance, composition, location, and size of the cord Cord Events: Although many stillbirths are attributed to a cord accident, this diagnosis should be made with caution. Cord abnormalities, including a Nuchal Cord, are found in approximately 30% of normal births and may be an incidental finding. (American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Practice Bulletin 2009) According to NICHD's recent stillbirth study, UCA is a significant cause of mortality (10%). This finding is in agreement with other international UCA studies. (Bukowski et al. 2011) These histologic criteria identify cases of cord accident as a cause of stillbirth with very high specificity. (Dilated fetal vessels, thrombosis in fetal vessels, avascular placental villi.) (Pediatr Dev Pathol 2012) Finally, defining the morbidity (injury) of cord compression, such as fetal neurologic injury or heart injury identified with umbilical cord blood troponin T levels or pulmonary injury, is the next major area of investigation.
This book provides a comprehensive resource on the pathology of the human singleton placenta. Agreed nomenclature, nosology, definitions and, where possible, thresholds for meaningful clinical corrections for lesions ideal for practical application in clinical practice are presented. Evidence is also featured on relevant potential clinical correlations to aid the reader in deciding upon the most appropriate management strategy. Areas of current uncertainty are also covered for potential future research. Pathology of the Placenta systematically describes placental pathology, and represents a valuable resource for practising and trainee pathologists, obstetricians, neonatologists and epidemiologists.
Umbilical cord blood, previously discarded, has emerged as a new source of stem cells for hematologic reconstitution, bone marrow failures and other hematologic deficiencies. It has become increasingly clear that umbilical cord tissue contains unique stem cells of great potential for regenerative medicine. Importantly, umbilical cord blood is abundant, can be banked and transported with ease, and thus has an indisputable potential for future regenerative therapies. Driven by a massive interest for regenerative medicine and ethically acceptable stem cell sources, the scientific literature on umbilical cord stem cells has exploded.This book provides a consolidated overview of basic, translational as well as clinical research in academic institutions and industry, on hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells contained within umbilical cord tissue, as well as other more recently discovered stem and precursor cells of not yet fully elucidated potential. Although not discussed here, umbilical cord cells have been successfully reprogrammed into pluripotent stem cells (iPS), opening the door for a vast array of applications with this abundant human material likely catapulting cord-derived stem cells to the forefront of cell-based regenerative medicine.Suitable as a primer and reference book for medical fellows and researchers, this book can also be used by students (undergraduate and graduate) as a starting point into the vast literature on stem cells and their potential.
This guide has been developed jointly by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and is designed for use by all personnel involved in the care of pregnant women, their foetuses, and their neonates.
