Umbilical-portal-systemic venous shunt and intrauterine growth restriction: an inquiry from a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The investigation of the fetal umbilical-portal venous system is based on the premise that congenital anomalies of this system may be related to adverse perinatal outcomes. Several small retrospective studies have reported an association between umbilical-portal-systemic venous shunts and intrauterine growth restriction. However, the prevalence of portosystemic shunts in the fetal growth restricted population is yet to be determined. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were (1) to determine the prevalence of fetal umbilical-portal-systemic venous shunts in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction and (2) to compare the perinatal and neonatal outcomes of pregnancies with intrauterine growth restriction with and without umbilical-portal-systemic venous shunts. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective, cross-sectional study of pregnancies diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction, as defined by the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine intrauterine growth restriction guidelines. All participants underwent a detailed anomaly scan, supplemented with a targeted scan of the fetal portal system. Venous shunts were diagnosed using color Doppler mode. The perinatal outcomes of pregnancies with intrauterine growth restriction with and without umbilical-portal-systemic venous shunts were compared. RESULTS: A total of 150 cases with intrauterine growth restriction were recruited. The prevalence of umbilical-portal-systemic venous shunts in our cohort was 9.3% (n=14). When compared with the control group (intrauterine growth restriction without umbilical-portal-systemic venous shunts, n=136), the study group had a significantly lower mean gestational age at the time of intrauterine growth restriction diagnosis (29.7±5.6 vs 32.47±4.6 weeks of gestation; P=.036) and an earlier gestational age at delivery (33.50±6.0 vs 36.13±2.8; P=.005). The study group had a higher rate of fetal death (21.4% vs 0.7%; P<.001) and, accordingly, a lower rate of live births (71.4% vs 95.6%; P=.001). Additional associated fetal vascular anomalies were significantly more prevalent in the study group than in the control group (35.7% vs 4.4%; P≤.001). The rate of other associated anomalies was similar. The study group had a significantly lower rate of abnormal uterine artery Doppler indices (0% vs 40.4%; P=.011) and a higher rate of abnormal ductus venosus Doppler indices (64.3% vs 23%; P=.001). There were no cases of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in the study group, whereas the control group had an incidence of 12.5% (P=.16). Other perinatal and neonatal outcomes were comparable. CONCLUSION: Umbilical-portal-systemic venous shunt is a relatively common finding among fetuses with growth restriction. When compared with pregnancies with intrauterine growth restriction with a normal portal system, these pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction and an umbilical-portal-systemic venous shunt are associated with a different Doppler flow pattern, an increased risk for fetal death, earlier presentation of intrauterine growth restriction, a lower gestational age at delivery, additional congenital vascular anomalies, and a lower rate of pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorders. Meticulous sonographic evaluation of the portal system should be considered in the prenatal workup of intrauterine growth restriction, as umbilical-portal-systemic venous shunts may affect perinatal outcomes.

Integrating technologies to provide comprehensive remote fetal surveillance: A prospective pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility of extending remote maternal-fetal care to include fetus well-being. METHODS: The authors performed a prospective pilot study investigating low-risk pregnant participants who were recruited at the time of their first full-term in-person visit and scheduled for a follow-up telemedicine visit. Using novel self-operated fetal monitoring and ultrasound devices, fetal heart monitoring and amniotic fluid volume measurements were obtained to complete a modified biophysical profile (mBPP). Total visit length was measured for both the in-person first visit and the subsequent telemedicine encounter. A patient satisfaction survey form was obtained. RESULTS: Ten women between 40 + 1 and 40 + 6 weeks of gestation participated in telemedicine encounters. Nine women (90%) were able to complete remote mBPP assessment. For one participant, fetal assessment was not completed due to technically inconclusive fetal monitoring. Another participant was referred for additional assessment in the delivery room. Satisfactory amniotic fluid volume measurements were achieved in 100% of participants. The telemedicine encounter was significantly shorter (93.1 ± 33.1 min) than the in-person visit (247.2 ± 104.7 min; P < 0.001). We observed high patient satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Remote fetal well-being assessment is feasible and time-saving and results in high patient satisfaction. This novel paradigm of comprehensive remote maternal and fetal assessment is associated with important clinical, socioeconomic, and logistics advantages.

Maternal and Neonatal Immune Responses Following COVID-19 Infection and Vaccinations in Pregnancy.

The objective of the study was to compare the maternal and neonatal humoral immune responses among different groups of women, namely those vaccinated by the BNT162b2 vaccine, not vaccinated, and COVID-19-recovered parturient women at the time of delivery. This is a prospective cohort study of pregnant women, divided into four groups: Group A "Recovered"-recovered and not vaccinated. Group B "Second Vaccination"-first and second doses only. Group C "Third Vaccination"-third dose. Group D "No Third Vaccination"-women eligible for the third dose of the vaccine but did not receive it. Maternal and umbilical cord blood were sampled and tested for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies on admittance to labor and immediately postpartum, respectively. Maternal serum SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels were significantly higher among Group C compared to Group B (741.6 (514.5-1069) vs. 333.5 (327-340.2), respectively). Both groups had higher antibody levels compared to Groups A and D (113.5 (61.62-209.1) and 57.99 (32.93-102.1), respectively). Similarly, umbilical cord blood SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels were also highest among Group C compared to the other three groups (1269 (953.4-1690) vs. Group B, 322.6 (305.6-340.5), Group A, 109 (49.01-242.6), and Group D, 103.9 (48.59-222), respectively). In conclusion, pregnant women who were fully vaccinated with three dosages before delivery generated the highest levels of maternal and neonatal SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies.

Maternal-neonatal transfer of SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G antibodies among parturient women treated with BNT162b2 messenger RNA vaccine during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: The exclusion of pregnant women from initial COVID-19 messenger RNA vaccine trials raised hesitancy regarding the benefits of vaccination for pregnant women, hence little is known about vaccines' efficacy in this population. OBJECTIVE: To determine the maternal-neonatal transplacental transfer of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among vaccinated parturient women. A control group of COVID-19-recovered patients was included to compare the immunoglobulin G levels between vaccinated and recovered patients. STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective cohort study conducted in a single tertiary medical center in Israel between February and March 2021; parturient women vaccinated with the BNT162b2 messenger RNA vaccine during pregnancy were included and compared with COVID-19-recovered parturient women. SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G antibodies were measured in maternal and cord sera, dried blood spot samples taken from newborns, and breast milk samples. The primary aim was to determine whether neonatal cord and dried blood spot samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and to evaluate the transfer ratio, defined as cord blood immunoglobulin G divided by maternal immunoglobulin G levels. RESULTS: The study included 64 vaccinated parturient women and 11 parturient women who had COVID-19 during pregnancy. All maternal blood sera samples and 98.3% of the cord blood sera samples were positive for SARS-Cov-2 immunoglobulin G with median concentrations of 26.1 (interquartile range, 22.0-39.7) and 20.2 (interquartile range, 12.7-29.0), respectively. Similarly, 96.4% of neonatal blood spot samples and all breast milk samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G with median concentrations of 11.0 (interquartile range, 7.2-12.8) and 4.9 (interquartile range, 3.8-6.0), respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between maternal serum levels of SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G and cord blood (r=0.483; P=.0001), neonatal blood spot (r=0.515; P=.004), and breast milk levels (r=0.396; P=.005) of SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G. The median placental transfer ratio of SARS-COV-2 immunoglobulin G was 0.77. Comparison of vaccinated and recovered COVID-19 patients revealed significantly higher SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G levels in maternal serum and cord blood among vaccinated women (P<.0001). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated the efficient transfer of SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G across the placenta in women, vaccinated with the BNT162b2 messenger RNA vaccine during pregnancy, to their neonates, with a positive correlation between maternal serum and cord blood antibody concentrations. In addition to maternal protection against COVID-19, the vaccine may also provide neonatal humoral immunity.

Long-Term Ultrasound Follow-Up After Pediatric Adnexal Torsion.

PURPOSE: Conservative surgical management of adnexal torsion in pre- and post-menarchal girls by de-torsion and adnexal conservation is the current standard of care. The aim of this study is to investigate the long-term outcome of adnexal torsion in this population in terms of ultrasound appearance and ovarian volume. METHODS: Patients who were surgically treated for adnexal torsion and were < 18 years old at time of surgery were prospectively invited for ultrasound follow-up. The ultrasound exam included measurements of ovarian volume and grayscale appearance including identification of ovarian follicular activity. RESULTS: 84 cases of torsion in this population were identified, and 37 of them were included in the study. Of those, the affected ovary could not be demonstrated on follow-up scan in six (16.2 %) cases. A difference of ≥ 2 cm3 in ovarian volume between the affected and non-affected ovaries was diagnosed in 12 (32.4 %) cases, but follicular activity was observed in 10 of those. Thus, possible ovarian injury (including cases of non-demonstrated ovary and volume difference of ≥ 2 cm3 between the affected and non-affected ovaries) was found in 18 (48.6 %) cases. Of the clinical and surgical parameters (including age at time of torsion, duration of pain prior to admission, cystectomy procedure and intraoperative "bluish" appearance of the ovary), only the presence of fever on admission was significantly associated with possible ovarian injury (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Long-term ultrasound follow-up of pre- and post-menarchal girls with a history of adnexal torsion may identify patients with adversely affected ovarian volume. The significance of this finding in terms of fertility is unknown.

Long-term outcome of MR-guided focused ultrasound treatment and laparoscopic myomectomy for symptomatic uterine fibroid tumors.

BACKGROUND: Fibroid tumors are the most common benign tumors in women of reproductive age. Treatment is usually indicated for those who are symptomatic, with different techniques being used. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the long-term outcome of laparoscopic myomectomy with magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound for symptomatic uterine fibroid tumors. STUDY DESIGN: A cohort study was conducted on all patients with symptomatic uterine fibroid tumors who were admitted to a single tertiary care center and treated operatively with laparoscopic myomectomy or treated conservatively with magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound from January 2012 until January 2017. Assessment for further interventions and sustained fibroid-associated symptoms was performed, with the use of the Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Quality of Life symptom severity score. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-four women met the inclusion criteria. Complete follow-up evaluation was achieved for 64 women who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy and for 68 women who were treated by magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound. Follow-up time was similar for the 2 groups (median, 31 months [interquartile range, 17-51 months] vs 36 months [interquartile range, 24-41]; P=.95). The rate of additional interventions was 5 (7.8%) and 9 (13.2%), respectively (P=0.312). Similarly, the Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Quality of Life symptom severity score questionnaire score at follow-up interviews revealed comparable median scores of 17 (interquartile range, 12-21) vs 17 (interquartile range, 13-22) for laparoscopic myomectomy and magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound, respectively (P=.439). Analysis of each of the symptoms separately (bleeding, changes in menstruation, abdominal pain, bladder activity, nocturia, fatigue) did not change these findings, nor did a multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Satisfaction with long-term outcome and rate of reinterventions after magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound treatment or laparoscopic myomectomy for uterine fibroid tumors was comparable. Further larger randomized trials are needed to confirm these findings.