Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine最新文献

Objective: We aimed to investigate the serum concentration of the spexin, which has been shown to have an anorexic effect in animal models, in pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).

Methods: This case-control study was conducted with 80 pregnant women who applied to the Umraniye Training and Research Hospital Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic between April 2022 and September 2022. The HG group consisted of 40 pregnant women who were diagnosed with HG in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, and the control group consisted of 40 healthy pregnant women matched with the HG group in terms of age, BMI, and gestational week.

Results: Both groups were similar in terms of demographic characteristics and gestational age at blood sampling for spexin (p > 0.05). While maternal serum spexin concentration was 342.4 pg/ml in the HG group, it was 272.8 pg/ml in the control group (p = 0.003). ROC analysis was performed to determine the value of maternal serum spexin concentration in terms of predicting HG. AUC analysis of maternal serum spexin for HG estimation was 0.693 (p = 0.003, 95% CI =0.577 - 0.809). The optimal cutoff value for maternal serum spexin concentration was determined as 305.90 pg/ml with 65% sensitivity and 65% specificity.

Conclusions: High serum spexin concentration is thought to play a role in the etiopathogenesis of HG, and this should be supported by demonstrating changes in serum spexin concentrations in pregnant women with HG whose symptoms alleviated and weight regain started after treatment.

Objective: Fetal head malposition can result in neonatal and maternal complications. Fetal head malposition occurs frequently in labor. Appropriate and timely managements are required. Maternal posture and cognitive-behavioral interventions could improve labor outcomes in primigravidas with fetal head malposition.

Methods: A randomized controlled clinical trial was performed between January and December 2022 (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2100049359). Eligible primigravidas were randomly assigned into four groups. Group A received traditional perinatal care. Group B, C, and D received posture management, posture management with music therapy, and posture management with video education, respectively, in addition to traditional perinatal care. The maternal postures referred to place pregnant women in certain positions (lateral, lateral-prone, hands and knees, open knee-chest) to change the anatomical structure of pelvis, thus, to facilitate the fetal downward movement and birth. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were recorded and compared.

Results: A total of 136 primigravidas were included, with 34, 35, 34, and 33 women in group A, B, C, and D, respectively. The incidences of cesarean section were lower in groups B, C, and D than that in group A (5.7%, 2.9%, and 3.0% versus 20.6%, p < 0.05). The fetal position correction rates at the time of full dilation of cervix were higher in groups B, C, and D than that in group A (66.7%, 63.6%, 68.8% versus 27.6%, p < 0.05). Primigravidas in groups B, C, and D had better experiences and a lower anxiety level than those in group A (p < 0.001). The four groups had no statistically significant differences in the total labor duration, operative vaginal delivery, umbilical artery blood pH, and neonatal Apgar scores.

Conclusion: Fetal head malposition could happen in primigravidas. Maternal posture management and cognitive-behavioral interventions during labor could improve labor outcomes in primigravidas with fetal head malposition.

Purpose: Congenital right aortic arch (RAA) and double aortic arch (DAA) were difficult to be diagnosed by traditional fetal echography. However, these two diseases have distinct clinical therapies and long-term outcomes which makes the differential diagnosis of great importance. While fetal screening by traditional fetal echography provides limited information about the branches of the aortic arch. This study aimed to discover and evaluate a novel combination of different echocardiography views in the diagnosis and differentiation of RAA and DAA.

Methods: From January 2014 to December 2022, a total of 414,686 pregnant women underwent routine ultrasound examinations of the fetus during the second trimester. The scan of the fetal heart included a fetal four-chamber view, The left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) view, a right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) view, a three-vessel (3 V) view, and three vessels and trachea (3VT) view. Then the cases diagnosed as RAA or DAA by initial ultrasound screening from two hospitals were divided into the RAA group and the DAA group. Then enter the prenatal diagnosis consultation. All the pregnant women were offered invasive prenatal diagnosis. Genetic tests were fully discussed and decided after genetic counseling. Further ultrasound examination by two more experienced sonographers, in addition to the fetal echocardiogram views, includes further multi-angle scanning of the aortic arch branches with color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) or high definition flow imaging (HDFI) for further diagnosis, and the reasons for misdiagnosis were analyzed and summarized.

Results: A total of 332 cases were diagnosed with RAA or DAA by initial ultrasound, including RAA group 244 cases and DAA group 88 cases. In the RAA group, the mirror RAA (MRAA) could not be completely diagnosed by 3VT view alone in traditional echocardiography, with accuracy and sensitivity of 88.9% and 72.6%, respectively. In the DAA group, 36 cases were misdiagnosed only by 3VT view alone in traditional echocardiography, with the accuracy and specificity of 88.9% and 86.8%, respectively. However, the accuracy for MRAA or DAA could reach 100% when combined with 3VT and multi-angle scanning of the aortic arch branches. The abnormal detection rate of genetic tests was 10.5% (20/190), excluding the cases who refused the invasive prenatal diagnosis.

Conclusion: Combining 3VT and multi-angle scanning of the aortic arch branches With CDFI or HDFI could effectively distinguish RAA variants from DAA. The invasive prenatal diagnosis should be recommended for patients with RAA or DAA, and the accurate prenatal diagnosis was highly valuable in providing appropriate perinatal counseling and prognostic evaluation.

Objective: To construct fetal limb bone nomograms in the Chinese ethnic population.

Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study on singleton pregnancies between 12 and 37 weeks of gestation. Femur, tibia, fibula, humerus, ulna, radius, and foot length were measured in a standardized manner by one of the three sonographers. Each fetus's measurements were only included once and those who developed maternal or fetal complications were excluded. Fractional polynomial regression model was used to obtain the 3rd, 10th, 50th, 90th, and 97th centiles for each of the limb measurement. Z-score for the 50th centile of each fetal limb measurement was then compared with published nomograms derived from other populations.

Results: Of the 843 scans performed, 775 were included in analysis after excluding conditions such as pre-eclampsia, chromosomal abnormalities, single umbilical artery and skeletal dysplasia. Comparison with other populations showed that Chinese had shorter fetal limb bone lengths than the Caucasian and Afro-Caribbean populations.

Conclusion: This study established nomograms for all the fetal limb bones in the Chinese ethnic population, which showed lengths comparatively shorter than Caucasian and Afro-Caribbean nomograms. This would reduce the false alarm of short fetal limb bone lengths and its consequent anxiety and intervention.

Background: Since its introduction, assisted reproductive technology (ART) has developed into a common clinical practice around the world; yet it still raises a lot of questions. Throughout time, many researchers have investigated its association with several obstetric incidences and its consequences on perinatal outcomes. The aim of the current meta-analysis was to estimate the correlation between ART procedures and malpresentation of the fetus in singleton pregnancies.

Methods: The study was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and prospectively registered under the PROSPERO database (CRD42023458084). Five databases (Embase, MEDLINE^®, APA PsycInfo, Global Health, Health Management Information Consortium (HMIC)) and two additional sources were searched from inception to 31 May 2023. Quality of the included studies was assessed using the ROBINS-1 scale, whilst quality of evidence by the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. Summative and subgroup data as well as heterogeneity were generated by the Cochrane platform RevMan Web.

Results: Overall, 11 studies were included in the study with a total of 3,360,134 deliveries. Results indicate a higher risk of malpresentation at delivery in fetuses conceived through ART than those conceived naturally (RR: 1.50, (95% confidence interval (CI):1.30, 1.73)). This risk decreased when adjustments for potential confounders were applied (RR = 1.12, 95% CI 1.02, 1.23).

Conclusions: Based on observational studies, this meta-analysis indicated that singleton pregnancies conceived through ART are associated with higher risk of malpresentation than those conceived naturally, albeit the difference was lower when potential confounders were examined. Thus, future large studies are required to better understand possible reversible and irreversible factors of this relationship.

Objective: To describe international surveillance and treatment strategies for managing anti-SSA/Ro autoantibody positive pregnancies.

Study design: An electronic REDCap questionnaire was distributed to Fetal Heart Society and North American Fetal Therapy Network members which queried institution-based risk stratification, surveillance methods/frequency, conduction abnormality treatments, and postnatal anti-SSA/Ro pregnancy assessment.

Results: 101 responses from 59 centers (59% US, 17% international) were collected. Most (79%) do not risk stratify pregnancies by anti-SSA/Ro titer; those that do use varied cutoff values. Many pregnant rheumatology patients are monitored for cardiac abnormalities regardless of maternal anti-SSA/Ro status. Surveillance strategies were based on maternal factors (anti-SSA/Ro status 85%, titer 25%, prior affected child 79%) and monitoring durations varied. Most respondents treat 2° and 3° fetal atrioventricular block, commonly with dexamethasone and/or IVIG.

Conclusions: Wide variation exists in current fetal cardiac surveillance and treatment for anti-SSA/Ro autoantibody positive pregnancies, highlighting the need for evidence-based protocols to optimize care.

Objective: Neonates with medical problems need transfer from the place of birth to a neonatal (intensive care) unit after birth by a specialized neonatal transport team. Neonatal transport is accompanied by a high emotional burden for the families due to spatial separation, uncertainty and care for the neonate. This survey of parents' needs was a quality control project of the neonatal transport team of the University Children's Hospital Zurich, Switzerland. The aim was to identify areas for improvement of family-centred care and to derive concrete suggestions for adjustments in the transport process.

Methods: This single-center prospective cross-sectional study included parents of neonates transported between January 2021 and February 2022. Based on a literature review, an anonymous questionnaire was developed (mini-Delphi method) and conducted using an online survey tool. The survey results were analyzed descriptively.

Results: The response rate was 77% (168/217). The majority of parents agreed with the current procedures for neonatal transports and experienced the transport team as professional. There were no (emotional) support measures applied by the transport team which were not approved by the parents. Some parents suggested the following additions: the possibility of parental accompaniment during transport, contact by telephone on arrival at the destination hospital, and an improvement in the transmission of medical information, both prenatally and in the context of transport.

Conclusion: There is potential for improvement in meeting parental needs during neonatal transport. Some parental suggestions can be implemented easily and cost-effectively. The importance of professional communication and situationally adapted information for parents was confirmed.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of ultrasound findings in the screening of fetal chromosomal abnormalities and the analysis of risk factors for chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) abnormalities.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the datasets of 15,899 pregnant women who underwent prenatal evaluations at Affiliated Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nantong University between August 2018 and December 2022. Everyone underwent ultrasound screening, and those with abnormal findings underwent CMA to identify chromosomal abnormalities.

Results: The detection rates for isolated ultrasound anomalies and combined ultrasound and CMA anomalies were 11.81% (1877/15,899) and 2.40% (381/15,899), respectively. Among all ultrasound abnormalities, detection rates for isolated ultrasound soft marker anomalies, isolated structural abnormalities, and both ultrasound soft marker anomalies with structural abnormalities were 82.91% (1872/2258), 15.99% (361/2258), and 1.11% (25/2258), respectively. The detection rate of abnormal chromosomes in pregnant women with abnormal ultrasound results was 16.87% (381/2258). The detection rates were 13.33% in cases with two or more ultrasound soft markers anomalies, 47.37% for two or more structural anomalies, and 48.00% for concomitant ultrasound soft marker and structural anomalies.

Conclusions: Enhanced detection rates of chromosomal anomalies in fetal malformations are achieved with specific ultrasound findings (NT thickening, cardiovascular abnormalities, and multiple soft markers) or when combined with high-risk factors (advanced maternal age, familial history, parental chromosomal anomalies, etc.). When the maternal age is over 35 and with ≥2 ultrasound soft marker anomalies accompanied with any high-risk factors, CMA testing can aid in the diagnosis of prenatal chromosomal abnormalities.

Objective: Congenital uterine anomalies during pregnancy increase the risk of pregnancy complications such as miscarriage, preterm delivery, fetal malpresentation, cesarean delivery, and fetal growth restriction. However, few studies have examined uterine anomalies in relation to perinatal complications other than those mentioned above. We investigated the association between pregnancies complicated by congenital uterine anomalies and various perinatal outcomes at our institution.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2009 to May 2021. We included cases of uterine anomalies, such as septate, bicornuate, unicornuate, and didelphic uterus. First, the perinatal complications and neonatal outcomes were compared between pregnancies complicated by uterine anomalies and those with normal uteri. Second, we conducted an analysis based on the type of uterine anomalies classified into two groups: the minor anomaly group consisted of anomalies limited to the uterine cavity, such as the septate uterus, whereas the major anomaly group included anomalies affecting the uterine shape, such as bicornuate, unicornuate, and didelphic uterus. We compared the incidence of perinatal complications among the major anomaly, minor anomaly, and normal uterus groups.

Results: During the study period, 45 pregnancies were complicated with uterine anomalies. The minor anomaly group included 11 patients and the major anomaly group included 34 patients. The incidence of fetal malpresentation was significantly higher in the uterine anomaly group than in the normal uterus group (18% vs. 3.7%, p = .04). Furthermore, the frequency of abnormal placental cord insertion was significantly higher in the uterine anomaly group (16% vs. 3.7%, p = .01). Examination based on the type of uterine anomaly revealed significant differences in cervical incompetence, malpresentation, cesarean section, and abnormal placental cord insertion. Cervical incompetence was more likely in patients with minor anomalies. In contrast, fetal malpresentation, cesarean section, and abnormal placental cord insertion were more likely in the major anomaly group.

Conclusions: In addition to the findings reported in previous studies, abnormal placental cord insertion was more frequent in pregnancies complicated by uterine anomalies.