Volume 32, Number 5

September 2003

Recent Advances in Obstetrics and Gynaecology

The science and art of providing quality health care to women has made tremendous strides in recent years. In the subspecialties of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, recent advances in laboratory techniques and in clinical diagnostic, surgical and laparoscopic skills have improved the prevention and early detection of disease. This article is...

The Role of Influenza Vaccine in Healthcare Workers in the Era of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

The new coronavirus responsible for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) found its first victims in healthcare workers with attack rates of more than 50% before infection control measures were instituted; and this led to the near collapse of healthcare systems in some of the affected countries. In Singapore, healthcare...

Should Doctors Perform an Elective Caesarean Section on Request?

Caesarean sections performed without medical indication, better known as maternal request caesarean sections, have generated intense debate in recent times. While uncommon in the past, a recent national audit in the United Kingdom (UK)1 revealed that 7% of all elective caesarean sections were performed for precisely this reason. This article...

Screening for Chromosomal Anomalies: First or Second Trimester, Biochemical or Ultrasound?

A chromosome abnormality contributes significantly to fetal loss during pregnancy, and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The contribution of chromosomal abnormalities to fetal loss decreases as pregnancy progresses; an estimated 50% of first-trimester spontaneous abortions are due to chromosomal abnormalities. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on...

Human Papillomavirus Triage of Patients with Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance on Cervical Papanicolaou Smear

Cervical cancer affects >400,000 women a year worldwide, and represents a significant health issue for women. In the United States (US) however, screening programmes have reduced the incidence to 8.3 cases per 100,000 women with only 14,000 cases and 5000 deaths annually. This article is available only as a PDF....