Dr. Chapa’s OBGYN Clinical Pearls

In the ACOG CO 734 from 2018, it states, “Transvaginal ultrasonography usually is sufficient for an initial evaluation of postmenopausal bleeding if the ultrasound images reveal a thin endometrial echo (less than or equal to 4 mm), given that an endometrial thickness of 4 mm or less has a greater than 99% negative predictive value for endometrial cancer”. But medicine moves fast. This is NO LONGER the guideline. In this episode, we will summarize the new ACOG CPU on the primary evaluation of a patient with postmenopausal vaginal bleeding. Is ultrasound still the single first line test used for evaluation? Listen in for details.
1. Updated Guidance Regarding The Role of Transvaginal Ultrasonography in Evaluating the Endometrium of Individuals With Postmenopausal Bleeding
2. The Role of Transvaginal Ultrasonography in Evaluating the Endometrium of Women With Postmenopausal Bleeding

Yes we have covered antenatal corticosteroids in the late preterm interval on several episodes in the past- it's DEJA VU! However, there is new data in the American Journal of Perinatology (April 2026 ) that is helpful for us as clinicians as we do “shared decision making” with patients in offering betamethasone in the late preterm interval. Listen in for details.
1. Zigron R, Rotem R, Erlichman I, Rottenstreich M, Rosenbloom JI, Porat S, Rottenstreich A. Factors associated with the development of neonatal hypoglycemia after antenatal corticosteroid administration: It's all about timing. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2022 Aug;158(2):385-389. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.13975. Epub 2021 Oct 30. PMID: 34625970.
2. Asirwatham A, Loke R, Rose S, Ho J, Leung K, Leftwich HK. Neonatal Hypoglycemia after Antenatal Late Preterm Steroids. Am J Perinatol. 2026 Apr;43(5):616-620. doi: 10.1055/a-2663-5798. Epub 2025 Aug 4. PMID: 40759170.
3. ALPS Trial. NEJM. Published April 7, 2016;374:1311-1320

Iron-deficiency anemia during pregnancy is associated withseveral adverse pregnancy outcomes, including severe maternal morbidity, preeclampsia, placenta previa, and placental abruption. It makes sense that diagnosing and treating anemia and its underlying causes in earlypregnancy may reduce the risk of adverse outcomes, but evidence has been scarce…until now. In this episode, we will review a new retrospective study based on nationwide data that examines this very issue (Green journal, April 2026).Listen for details.
1.  Booman A, Bateman BT, Siadat S, Berube C, Igbinosa I, Leggett C, Lyell DJ, Main EK, Leonard SA. Pregnancy Outcomes Associated With Anemia in the First Trimesterand Anemia Resolution by Late Pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 2026 Apr 1;147(4):518-527. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000006183. Epub 2026 Feb 6. PMID:41643193; PMCID: PMC12880618.
2.  ACOG OCC 5: Severe Maternal Morbidity: Screening and Review; 2016 and reaffirmed 2025
3.  ACOG PB 233

Iron-deficiency anemia during pregnancy is associated with several adverse pregnancy outcomes, including severe maternal morbidity, preeclampsia, placenta previa, and placental abruption. It makes sense that diagnosing and treating anemia and its underlying causes in early pregnancy may reduce the risk of adverse outcomes, but evidence has been scarce…until now. In this episode, we will review a new retrospective study based on nationwide data that examines this very issue (Green journal, April 2026). Listen for details.
1. Booman A, Bateman BT, Siadat S, Berube C, Igbinosa I, Leggett C, Lyell DJ, Main EK, Leonard SA. Pregnancy Outcomes Associated With Anemia in the First Trimester and Anemia Resolution by Late Pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 2026 Apr 1;147(4):518-527. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000006183. Epub 2026 Feb 6. PMID: 41643193; PMCID: PMC12880618.
2. ACOG OCC 5: Severe Maternal Morbidity: Screening and Review; 2016 and reaffirmed 2025
3. ACOG PB 233

The diagnosis of fetal growth restriction can be made with an isolated abdominal circumference less than the 90th percentile. So is the opposite true? Does a fetal abdominal circumference (isolated) of greater than 90% qualify for “LGA” fetus? In this episode we're going to explain why, although it is logically correct, it is diagnostically incorrect. An isolated abdominal circumference on ultrasound of greater than 90% is however a strong predictive risk factor for one delivery finding. Listen in for details.

1. Macrosomia: ACOG Practice Bulletin, Number 216. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2020
2. Canavan TP, Hill LM.. Sonographic Biometry in the Early Third Trimester: A Comparison of Parameters to Predict Macrosomia at Birth. Journal of Clinical Ultrasound : JCU. 2015.
3. Culliney KA, Parry GK, Brown J, Crowther CA. Regimens of Fetal Surveillance of Suspected Large-for-Gestational-Age Fetuses for Improving Health Outcomes.The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2016.