The LOOP newsletter was my response to the disappointment that I was not in a position to apply for an NIH RFP for the study of stillbirth. I had envisioned an online group to pursue a multi-institutional grant proposal in case the opportunity arose again. I was not able to put that project together, but I would still like to try to create a newsletter with others contributing ideas, cases, and discussions on an informal basis. The newsletter is aimed at pathologists, obstetricians including MFM, and basic scientists. It really is not for the general public. However, I am looking for people with skill sets that could expand how we look at obstetrical complications such as mathematicians, physicists, computer modelists, etc.
The first issue describes my concept for a comprehensive study of stillbirth (FOXS); a redo of the previous page on cord length, which I think I have made clearer in revision; a case report demonstrating the need for a stable umbilical cord insertion into the placenta; and the start of my review of a textbook I read on dynamic modeling of biological systems, which I think might bring a useful, new approach to thinking about stillbirth and placental failure in general.
I sent out a second issue that I will be posting on this blog. The third issue is in progress. I know people are looking at this blog, but I don’t know who. I hope some of you are interested in this area of obstetrical complications, and I hope you will send me comments. If you need to send to an official email, you can use bendonrw2@UPMC.edu.
Bob Bendon, MD
obstetrical pathology 