Understanding TORCH Infections from both a Clinical and Personal Perspective
Are you aware that cytomegalovirus (CMV), a TORCH infection, is one of the most common congenital infections and affects 0.3%–2.4% of live births in developed countries?1 Understanding TORCH infections before and throughout pregnancy can lead to healthier outcomes for mothers and babies.
Learn about TORCH infections from the perspective of a physician and a parent who experienced congenital infection during pregnancy. This webinar will provide information to understand TORCH infections and testing for optimal outcomes and provide a personal story to understand the impact of a prenatal TORCH infection.
After this webinar, participants will:
- Learn about TORCH infections and proper testing for optimal outcomes.
- Understand the current guidelines for TORCH testing.
- Become aware of the impact from a parent who experienced a congenital infection.
Speakers:
Pablo J. Sanchez, MD, is a principal investigator in the Center for Perinatal Research at The Research Institute and a professor of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Dr. Sanchez is a board-certified neonatologist and pediatric infectious diseases specialist, and the director of Clinical and Translational Research in Neonatology at Nationwide Children's Hospital. His clinical and translational research focuses on perinatal/neonatal infections and antibiotic stewardship.
Lisa Saunders is an award-winning writer and speaker. She was instrumental in making Connecticut become the second state in the U.S. to enact a law combatting the leading viral cause of birth defects, congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV).
Available: September 18, 2019
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Thyroid Disorders in Pregnancy and Effects on the Neonate
Thyroid disorders including hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are common endocrinologic disorders found in pregnancy and can lead to numerous problems in the mother and baby. For the mother, this may include infertility, miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, and post-partum thyroid disease. The infant may be affected with low birth weight, congestive heart failure, and mental retardation. This webinar will discuss the common clinical presentations of thyroid disorders in pregnancy and the diagnosis of each.
After this webinar, participants will:
- Understand how and why thyroid function tests change during pregnancy
- Know the common clinical presentations of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and the general laboratory diagnosis of each.
- Understand the laboratory diagnosis of transient gestational hyperthyroidism with Grave’s Disease and effects on both mother and neonate
Speaker:
Linda Rogers, PhD, DABCC, is a board-certified Clinical Chemist and independent clinical consultant. Dr. Rogers has previously held laboratory director positions in Chicago, Northwest Ohio, and Florida, and currently in Oregon. She has held multiple positions in the laboratory diagnostics industry with oversight in Clinical and Scientific Affairs. Dr. Rogers areas of special interest and expertise are in the fields of endocrinology, maternal fetal medicine, women’s health and cardiac markers.
Available: May 15, 2019
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Gestational Diabetes: Pathophysiology, Risk, and Outcomes
Worldwide, gestational diabetes mellitus affects approximately 14% of pregnant women. Gestational diabetes can lead to increased risks for both the mother and the fetus, including preeclampsia, macrosomia, and/or fetal death. This webinar focuses on understanding the diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes in addition to the management and appropriate postpartum follow-up to ensure optimal outcomes for both mother and baby.
After this webinar, participants will:
- Understand the pathophysiology of gestational diabetes
- Know the current ADA guidelines for the diagnosis of gestational diabetes
- Understand the recommended lifetime follow-up care for women with a history of gestational diabetes
Speaker:
Jeanne Rhea-McManus, PhD, NRCC, DABCC, is currently a Medical Officer for Siemens Healthineers. She received her PhD in Genetics from the University of Georgia, and is board certified in Clinical Chemistry. Her past clinical research interests include HbA1c, diabetes, and the development and implementation of mass spectrometry methods in the clinical laboratory.
Available: April 17, 2019
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Monitoring Pregnancy with Clinical Laboratory Tests
During pregnancy, an anatomical and biochemical transition occurs. Laboratory testing from the time pregnancy is first considered through the initial days of the newborn's life offers an accurate view of mother and baby’s health and well-being. These tests can help identify conditions that may increase the risk of complications and are key components to improve the likelihood of a healthy outcome.
In this webinar, Dr. Alison Woodworth will describe the physiological changes associated with normal pregnancy. A variety of laboratory tests are available to determine the well-being of the mother as well as the fetus and to assess risk of complications. She will provide in-depth review of these clinical laboratory tests; what they are, when they should be used and how they provide valuable information.
After this webinar, participants will:
- Recognize the role of biomarkers in the detection and monitoring of pregnancy related disorders
- Know the structure, function and role of hCG and its relationship to maternal and fetal well-being
- Understand the importance of laboratory tests in first and second trimester screening
Speaker:
Dr. Allison Woodworth is Associate Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Medical Director of Core Clinical Laboratory and Point of Care testing at the University of Kentucky Medical Center. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Clinical Chemistry and currently serves as a director on the ABCC exam committee and Vice President of the credentialing committee. She is actively involved in teaching, having taught pathology residents, medical students, medical technologists, and endocrinology and maternal fetal medicine fellows.
Available: March 27, 2019
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Optimal Pregnancy Outcomes through Proper Infectious Disease Testing
Understanding the risks associated with infectious diseases during pregnancy and how to address them through proper diagnostic testing can ensure that pregnancy outcomes will lead to healthy mothers and healthy babies. This webinar focuses on the Zika virus, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, and HIV infections.
After this webinar, participants will:
- Understand the latest trends in Zika viral infection and testing in pregnancy.
- Know the current guidelines for infectious-disease testing in pregnant women.
- Understand the impact of proper infectious-disease testing on pregnancy outcomes.
Speaker:
Judith Monroe, MD, is president and CEO of the CDC Foundation. Her career focus centers on the intersection of primary care and public health. While at the CDC Foundation, Dr. Monroe has focused on developing public-private partnerships to extend CDC’s lifesaving work, ranging from chronic and infectious disease prevention to health emergencies, such as the response to Zika virus.
Available: November 28, 2018
Register here
