Cell-free DNA screening for common autosomal trisomies using rolling-circle replication in twin pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of prenatal screening for common autosomal trisomies in twin pregnancies through the use of rolling-circle replication (RCR)-cfDNA as a first-tier test. METHOD: Prospective multicenter study. Women who underwent prenatal screening for trisomy (T) 21, 18 and 13 between January 2019 and March 2022 in twin pregnancies were included. Patients were included in two centers. The primary endpoint was the rate of no-call results in women who received prenatal screening for common autosomal trisomies by RCR-cfDNA at the first attempt, compared to that in prospectively collected samples from 16,382 singleton pregnancies. The secondary endpoints were the performance indices of the RCR-cfDNA. RESULTS: 862 twin pregnancies underwent screening for T21, T18 and T13 by RCR-cfDNA testing at 10-33 weeks' gestation. The RCR-cfDNA tests provided a no-call result from the first sample obtained from the patients in 107 (0.7%) singleton and 17 (2.0%) twin pregnancies. Multivariable regression analysis demonstrated that significant independent predictors of test failure were twin pregnancy and in vitro fertilization conception. All cases of T21 (n = 20/862; 2.3%), T18 (n = 4/862; 0.5%) and T13 (n = 1/862; 0.1%) were correctly detected by RCR-cfDNA (respectively, 20, 4 and 1 cases). Sensitivity was 100% (95% CI, 83.1%-100%), 100% (95% CI 39.8%-100%) and 100% (95% CI 2.5%-100%) for T21, T18 and T13, respectively, in twin pregnancies. CONCLUSION: The RCR-cfDNA test appears to have good accuracy with a low rate of no-call results in a cohort of twin pregnancies for the detection of the most frequent autosomal trisomies.

Bi-allelic loss-of-function variants in KIF21A cause severe fetal akinesia with arthrogryposis multiplex.

BACKGROUND: Fetal akinesia (FA) results in variable clinical presentations and has been associated with more than 166 different disease loci. However, the underlying molecular cause remains unclear in many individuals. We aimed to further define the set of genes involved. METHODS: We performed in-depth clinical characterisation and exome sequencing on a cohort of 23 FA index cases sharing arthrogryposis as a common feature. RESULTS: We identified likely pathogenic or pathogenic variants in 12 different established disease genes explaining the disease phenotype in 13 index cases and report 12 novel variants. In the unsolved families, a search for recessive-type variants affecting the same gene was performed; and in five affected fetuses of two unrelated families, a homozygous loss-of-function variant in the kinesin family member 21A gene (KIF21A) was found. CONCLUSION: Our study underlines the broad locus heterogeneity of FA with well-established and atypical genotype-phenotype associations. We describe KIF21A as a new factor implicated in the pathogenesis of severe neurogenic FA sequence with arthrogryposis of multiple joints, pulmonary hypoplasia and facial dysmorphisms. This hypothesis is further corroborated by a recent report on overlapping phenotypes observed in Kif21a null piglets.

Obesity in prenatal medicine: a game changer?

Obesity is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a disease in its own right. Moreover, obesity is an increasingly concerning public health issue across the world and its prevalence is rising amongst women of reproductive age. The fertility of over-weight and obese women is reduced and they experience a higher rate of miscarriage. In pregnant women obesity not only increases the risk of antenatal complications, such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, but also fetal abnormalities, and consequently the overall feto-maternal mortality. Ultrasound is one of the most valuable methods to predict and evaluate pregnancy complications. However, in overweight and obese pregnant women, the ultrasound examination is met with several challenges, mainly due to an impaired acoustic window. Overall obesity in pregnancy poses special challenges and constraints to the antenatal care and increases the rate of pregnancy complications, as well as complications later in life for the mother and child.

Prenatal parvovirus B19 infection.

Parvovirus B19 (B19V) causes erythema infectiosum, a.k.a., fifth disease. This disease primarily affects children. It is generally self-limiting and subsides after 1-2 weeks. In pregnancy, the virus can cross the placenta and result in a fetal infection. This may lead to severe fetal anemia, hydrops fetalis, a miscarriage, or intrauterine fetal death. The risk of long-term sequelae also appears to be increased. About one-third of pregnant women are not immune to B19V and, therefore, are at risk to contract a primary infection. The seroconversion rate during pregnancy is generally around 1-2%. During a primary infection, maternal-fetal transplacental transmission of B19V occurs in about 30-50% of the cases and the risk of fetal infection increases with advancing gestational age. The risk of severe fetal anemia or hydrops is around 3-4% overall and is around 6-7% if the primary infection occurs before 20 weeks' gestation. Fetal monitoring in women with a primary B19V infection includes regular ultrasound examinations looking for evidence of hydrops fetalis and Doppler measurements of the middle cerebral artery peak velocity. Fetal blood sampling is performed if a significant anemia is suspected and, if such is found, an intrauterine blood transfusion is needed. This article provides an overview of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods, and management of B19V infection during pregnancy.

Fetal eye ultrasound: Normal anatomy, abnormal findings, and clinical impact. / Ultraschall des fetalen Auges: Normale Anatomie, abnorme Befunde und klinische Bedeutung.

Until now, ultrasound examination of the fetal eyes has not played an important role in prenatal diagnosis. National and international guidelines are generally confined to documentation of the presence of the orbits and the lenses. However, in recent years, with the advent of high-resolution ultrasound technology and increasing knowledge of prenatal medicine and genetics, careful examination of the fetal eye has enabled the detection of many ocular malformations before birth. This article provides an overview of the anatomy related to the development of the fetal eye and covers the following conditions: hypertelorism, hypotelorism, exophthalmos, microphthalmos, coloboma, cataract, persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous, retinal detachment, dacryocystocele, and septooptic dysplasia, etc. It is designed to illustrate the spectrum of ocular malformations and their appearance on prenatal ultrasound and to discuss their clinical impact and association with various syndromes.

Firsttrimester Diagnosis and Therapy @ 11-13+6 Weeks of Gestation - Part 1. / Ersttrimester Diagnostik und Therapie @ 11­13+6 Schwangerschaftswochen ­ Teil 1.

This extensive AWMF 085-002 S2e-guideline "First Trimester Diagnosis and Therapy @ 11-13+6 Weeks of Gestation" has systematically analyzed high-quality studies and publications and the existing evidence (evidence tables) and produced recommendations (level of recommendation, level of evidence, strength of consensus).This guideline deals with the following topics in the context of the 11-13+6 weeks scan: the legal basis, screening for anatomical malformations, screening for chromosomal defects, quality assessment and audit, screening for preeclampsia and FGR, screening for preterm birth, screening for abnormally invasive placenta (AIP) and placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), screening for velamentous cord insertion and vasa praevia, screening for diabetes mellitus and LGA.Screening for complications of pregnancy can best be carried out @ 11-13+6 weeks of gestation. The issues of how to identify malformations, chromosomal abnormalities and certain disorders of placentation (high blood pressure and proteinuria, intrauterine growth retardation) have been solved. The problem of how to identify placenta percreta and vasa previa has been partially solved. What is still unsolved is how to identify disorders of glucose metabolism and preterm birth.In the first trimester, solutions to some of these problems are available: parents can be given extensive counselling and the risk that a pregnancy complication will manifest at a later stage can be delayed and reduced. This means that screening is critically important as it helps in decision-making about the best way to manage pregnancy complications (prevention and intervals between follow-up examinations).If no treatment is available and if a termination of pregnancy is considered, the intervention can be carried out with far lower complications compared to the second trimester of pregnancy. In most cases, further examinations are not required and the parents can be reassured. A repeat examination at around week 20 of gestation to complete the screening for malformations is recommended. NOTE:: The guideline will be published simultaneously in the official journals of both professional societies (i.e. Ultraschall in der Medizin/European Journal of Ultrasound for the DEGUM and Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde for the DGGG).

Firsttrimester Diagnosis and Therapy @ 11-13+6 Weeks of Gestation - Part 2. / Ersttrimester Diagnostik und Therapie @ 11­13+6 Schwangerschaftswochen ­ Teil 2.

This extensive AWMF 085-002 S2e-guideline "First Trimester Diagnosis and Therapy @ 11-13+6 Weeks of Gestation" has systematically analyzed high-quality studies and publications and the existing evidence (evidence tables) and produced recommendations (level of recommendation, level of evidence, strength of consensus).This guideline deals with the following topics in the context of the 11-13+6 weeks scan: the legal basis, screening for anatomical malformations, screening for chromosomal defects, quality assessment and audit, screening for preeclampsia and FGR, screening for preterm birth, screening for abnormally invasive placenta (AIP) and placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), screening for velamentous cord insertion and vasa praevia, screening for diabetes mellitus and LGA.Screening for complications of pregnancy can best be carried out @ 11-13+6 weeks of gestation. The issues of how to identify malformations, chromosomal abnormalities and certain disorders of placentation (high blood pressure and proteinuria, intrauterine growth retardation) have been solved. The problem of how to identify placenta percreta and vasa previa has been partially solved. What is still unsolved is how to identify disorders of glucose metabolism and preterm birth.In the first trimester, solutions to some of these problems are available: parents can be given extensive counselling and the risk that a pregnancy complication will manifest at a later stage can be delayed and reduced. This means that screening is critically important as it helps in decision-making about the best way to manage pregnancy complications (prevention and intervals between follow-up examinations).If no treatment is available and if a termination of pregnancy is considered, the intervention can be carried out with far lower complications compared to the second trimester of pregnancy. In most cases, further examinations are not required and the parents can be reassured. A repeat examination at around week 20 of gestation to complete the screening for malformations is recommended. NOTE: The guideline will be published simultaneously in the official journals of both professional societies (i.e. Ultraschall in der Medizin/European Journal of Ultrasound for the DEGUM and Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde for the DGGG).

Effect of pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) on the development of fetal growth restriction in pregnancies with impaired uteroplacental perfusion at midgestation-a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Fetal growth restriction is strongly associated with impaired placentation and abnormal uteroplacental blood flow. Nitric oxide donors such as pentaerythritol tetranitrate are strong vasodilators and protect the endothelium. Recently, we demonstrated in a randomized controlled pilot study a 38% relative risk reduction for the development of fetal growth restriction or perinatal death following administration of pentaerythritol tetranitrate to pregnant women at risk, identified by impaired uterine perfusion at midgestation. Results of this monocenter study prompted the hypothesis that pentaerythritol tetranitrate might have an effect in pregnancies with compromised placental function as a secondary prophylaxis. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to test the hypothesis that the nitric oxide donor pentaerythritol tetranitrate reduces fetal growth restriction and perinatal death in pregnant women with impaired placental perfusion at midgestation in a multicenter trial. STUDY DESIGN: In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 2 parallel groups of pregnant women presenting with a mean uterine artery pulsatility index >95th percentile at 19+0 to 22+6 weeks of gestation were randomized to 50-mg Pentalong or placebo twice daily. Participants were assigned to high- or low-risk groups according to their medical history before randomization was performed block-wise with a fixed block length stratified by center and risk group. The primary efficacy endpoint was the composite outcome of perinatal death or development of fetal growth restriction. Secondary endpoints were neonatal and maternal outcome parameters. RESULTS: Between August 2017 and March 2020, 317 participants were included in the study and 307 were analyzed. The cumulative incidence of the primary outcome was 41.1% in the pentaerythritol tetranitrate group and 45.5% in the placebo group (unadjusted relative risk, 0.90; 95% confidence interval, 0.69-1.17; adjusted relative risk, 0.90; 95% confidence interval, 0.69-1.17; P=.43). Secondary outcomes such as preterm birth (unadjusted relative risk, 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.56-0.94; adjusted relative risk, 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.56-0.94; P=.01) and pregnancy-induced hypertension (unadjusted relative risk, 0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.46-0.93; adjusted relative risk, 0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.46-0.92; P=0.01) were reduced. CONCLUSION: Our study failed to show an impact of pentaerythritol tetranitrate on the development of fetal growth restriction and perinatal death in pregnant women with impaired uterine perfusion at midgestation. Pentaerythritol tetranitrate significantly reduced secondary outcome parameters such as the incidence of preterm birth and pregnancy-induced hypertension in these pregnancies.

Screen-positive rate in cell free DNA screening for trisomy 21.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the fetal fraction (FF) has an impact on the screen-positive rate (SPR) in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening for trisomy 21. METHODS: Retrospective analysis based on samples analyzed using the Harmony® Prenatal Test (Roche Inc). Due to the size of the data set, we focused on the SPR, which was stratified according to the maternal age, weight, gestational age, and FF distribution. RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 364,881 patients, including 2614 with a high-risk-result. Median maternal and gestational ages were 34.6 years and 12.4 weeks. FF was dependent on maternal age, weight, and gestational age. SPR was 0.72% and it was independent of maternal weight but was dependent on maternal age. There was a positive but weak association between the FF and the SPR until the FF reached 20.0% (OR p = 1.021, p < 0.001, Nagelkerkes r2 = 0.001). This group included 357,800 pregnancies or 98.1% of the study population. In the group of pregnancies with a FF > 20%, the association was stronger (OR 1.099, p < 0.001, Nagelkerkes r2 = 0.042). CONCLUSION: The SPR in cfDNA screening for trisomy 21 was relatively constant up to a FF of about 20%.

Screen-positive rate in cell-free DNA screening for microdeletion 22q11.2.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of the fetal fraction (FF) on the screen-positive rate in screening for microdeletion 22q11.2. METHODS: This study is based on samples that were analyzed using the Harmony® Prenatal Test (Roche Inc). The study cohort comprised samples from women with singleton pregnancies who were at least 16 years old and at least at 11 weeks' gestation. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine significant covariates that carry an impact on the screen-positive rate. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 52,019 pregnancies, including 309 pregnancies with a high-risk result for microdeletion 22q11.2. Thus, the overall screen-positive rate was 0.59%. In the low-risk group, the FF was 10.1%, and in the high-risk group, it was 7.3%. Regression analysis indicated a strong correlation between the FF and the screen-positive rate. In the cases with an FF of <11.0%, the screen-positive rate was 0.92%, while it was 0.13% in the group with a higher FF. CONCLUSION: The screen-positive rate depends on the FF. In order to keep the rate low, we recommend restricting the analysis to samples with a FF of 11% and more.

Prenatal testing for Imprinting Disorders: A clinical perspective.

Imprinting Disorders (ImpDis) are a group of congenital conditions caused by aberrant imprinting resulting in disturbed expression of parentally imprinted genes. ImpDis are rarely associated with major malformations, but pre- and/or postnatal growth and nutrition are often affected. In some ImpDis, behavioral, developmental, metabolic and neurological symptoms might present in the perinatal context or later in life, and in single ImpDis, there is a higher risk of tumors in childhood. Prognosis depends in part on the molecular cause of each ImpDis, but due to high clinical variability and (epi)genetic mosaicism, predicting the clinical outcome of a pregnancy solely based on the underlying molecular disturbance is difficult. Therefore, interdisciplinary care and treatment approaches play an important role in the management and decision making of affected pregnancies, especially taking into account fetal imaging in addition to genetic findings. Prenatal findings influence perinatal management, and thereby improve the prognosis of ImpDis associated with severe but sometimes transient clinical complications in the neonatal period. Therefore, prenatal diagnosis can be crucial for appropriate management not only to the pregnancy itself but might also have a life-long effect.

How to do a 3D uterus ultrasound?

Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound is an invaluable tool in the detection and evaluation of many uterine anomalies and improves upon the traditional approach of two-dimensional (2D) ultrasonography. We aim to describe an easy way of assessing the uterine coronal plane using the basic three-dimensional ultrasound in everyday gynecological practice.

Importance of a detailed anomaly scan after a cfDNA test indicating fetal trisomy 21, 18 or 13.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the presence or absence of fetal anomalies and soft markers diagnosed by ultrasound on positive predictive value (PPV) 21, 18 and 13 in pregnancies with a high-risk cfDNA result. METHODS: Retrospective study including singleton pregnancies with high-risk NIPT results for common trisomies followed by invasive testing. The cases were grouped by gestational age at the time of invasive testing and by the presence or absence of fetal abnormalities or soft markers. The ultrasound was considered abnormal if at least one major defect or a soft marker was detected. RESULTS: A total of 173 women were included. Median maternal and gestational age was 37.7 years and 14.0 weeks, respectively. CfDNA test result showed high-risk for trisomy 21 and trisomy 18 or 13 in 119 and 54 cases, respectively. The "pre-ultrasound" PPV for trisomy 21 and for trisomy 18 or 13 were 98.3% and 68.4%, respectively. In case of a high-risk result for trisomy 21 and no fetal anomalies, the PPV was 86.7% while it was 100% if there were anomalies or markers present. In the case of a high-risk result for trisomy 18 or 13, the PPV was 9.5% if the ultrasound examination was normal and 100% if the ultrasound examination was abnormal. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that a detailed ultrasound examination performed after a cfDNA result that is high-risk for one of the common autosomal trisomies adds significantly to establishing an individualized risk assessment. This is particularly true in cases with a high-risk result for trisomies 18 or 13.

Fetal Profile Markers for the Detection of Robin Sequence in Fetuses with Retrognathia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the prefrontal space ratio (PSFR), inferior facial (IFA) and maxilla-nasion-mandible angle (MNM), and the fetal profile line (FPL) are helpful in identifying fetuses with Robin sequence (RS) in cases with isolated retrognathia, and thus better predict the likelihood of immediate need for postnatal respiratory support. METHODS: This was a retrospective matched case-control study of fetuses/infants with isolated retrognathia with or without RS receiving pre- and postnatal treatment at the University Hospital of Tübingen, Germany between 2008 and 2020. The PFSR, IFA, MNM, and FPL were measured in affected and normal fetuses according to standardized protocols. Cases were stratified into isolated retrognathia and RS. RESULTS: 21 (n=7 isolated retrognathia, n=14 RS) affected fetuses and 252 normal fetuses were included. Their median gestational age at ultrasound examination was 23.6 and 24.1 weeks, respectively. In fetuses with isolated retrognathia and RS, the PSFR, IFA, and FPL were significantly different from the normal population. At a false-positive rate of 5%, the detection rate was 76.2% for the PFSR, 85.7% for the IFA, and 90.5% for both parameters combined. However, all parameters failed to distinguish between isolated retrognathia and RS. CONCLUSION: PSFR and IFA are simple markers for identifying retrognathia prenatally. However, they are not helpful for the detection of RS in fetuses with isolated retrognathia. Therefore, delivery should take place in a center experienced with RS and potentially life-threatening airway obstruction immediately after birth.

DEGUM Recommendations on Diagnostic Puncture in Prenatal Medicine. / Empfehlungen der DEGUM zu diagnostischen Punktionen in der Pränatalmedizin.

Diagnostic puncture (amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling, and fetal blood sampling) is an essential part of prenatal diagnostics and the only established and sufficiently scientifically evaluated possibility of diagnosing genetic diseases from pregnancy-specific cells. The number of diagnostic punctures in Germany, as in other countries, has fallen significantly. This is largely due to the introduction of first-trimester screening with further detailed ultrasound examination of the fetus and the analysis of cf-DNA (cell-free DNA) from maternal blood (noninvasive prenatal test - NIPT). On the other hand, knowledge about the incidence and appearance of genetic diseases has increased. The development of modern molecular genetic techniques (microarray and exome analysis) makes a differentiated investigation of these diseases increasingly possible. The requirements for education and counseling regarding these complex correlations have thus increased. The studies performed in recent years make it clear that diagnostic puncture performed in expert centers is associated with a low risk of complications. In particular, the procedure-related miscarriage risk hardly differs from the background risk for spontaneous abortion. In 2013, the Section of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the German Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (DEGUM) published recommendations on diagnostic puncture in prenatal medicine 1. The developments described above and new findings in recent years make it necessary to revise and reformulate these recommendations. The aim of this review is to compile important and current facts regarding prenatal medical puncture (including technique, complications, genetic examinations). It is intended to provide basic, comprehensive, and up-to-date information on diagnostic puncture in prenatal medicine. It replaces the publication from 2013 1.

Basic Gynecologic Ultrasound Examination (Level I): DEGUM, ÖGUM, and SGUM Recommendations. / Qualitätsanforderungen an gynäkologische Ultraschall-Untersuchungen der DEGUM-Stufe I: Empfehlungen der DEGUM, ÖGUM und SGUM.

Ultrasound has become an essential diagnostic tool in gynecology, and every practicing gynecologist must be able to differentiate normal from pathologic findings, such as benign or malignant pelvic masses, adnexal torsion, pelvic inflammation disease, endometriosis, ectopic pregnancies, and congenital uterine malformations at least on a basic level. A standardized approach to the correct settings of the ultrasound system, the indications for gynecologic ultrasound investigations, and the sonographic appearance of normal anatomy and common pathologic findings in the standard planes are important prerequisites for safe and confident clinical management of gynecologic patients. Based on current publications and different national and international guidelines, updated DEGUM, ÖGUM, and SGUM recommendations for the performance of basic gynecologic ultrasound examinations were established.

A single center experience of prenatal parent-fetus trio exome sequencing for pregnancies with congenital anomalies.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the diagnostic yield of trio exome sequencing in fetuses with multiple structural defects with no pathogenic findings in cytogenetic and microarray analyses. METHODS: We recruited 51 fetuses with two or more defects, non-immune fetal hydrops or fetal akinesia deformation syndrome|or fetal akinesia deformation sequence (FADS). Trio exome sequencing was performed on DNA from chorionic villi samples and parental blood. Detection of genomic variation and prioritization of clinically relevant variants was performed according to in-house standard operating procedures. RESULTS: Median maternal and gestational age was 32.0 years and 21.0 weeks, respectively. Forty-three (84.3%) fetuses had two or more affected organ systems. The remaining fetuses had isolated fetal hydrops or FADS. In total, the exome analysis established the genetic cause for the clinical abnormalities in 22 (43.1%, 95% CI 29.4%-57.8%) pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: In fetuses with multiple defects, hydrops or FADS and normal standard genetic results, trio exome sequencing has the potential to identify genetic anomalies in more than 40% of cases.

Prenatal sonographic findings in confirmed cases of Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS) is a common genetic condition and prenatal diagnosis is difficult due to heterogeneous expression of this syndrome and rather non-specific ultrasound findings. Objective of this study was to examine the prenatal ultrasound findings in fetuses with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS). METHODS: Retrospective assessment of 18 pregnancies that were seen at three tertiary referral centers (Universities of Bonn, Tuebingen and Nuernberg / Germany). Findings of prenatal ultrasound examinations, genetic results and outcome were compared. Additionally, findings of our study were compared to previous small case series from the literature and then compared to data on postnatal frequencies and abnormalities in affected patients. RESULTS: Median gestational age at the time of examination was 23 + 1 weeks' (range: 13 + 4 to 29 + 1 weeks') with female-to-male ratio of > 2.5:1. Most frequent ultrasound findings were facial abnormalities, symmetric IUGR and microcephaly that presented in 94.4, 83.3 and 72.2% of cases, respectively. The combination of microcephaly and hypoplastic nasal bone was a particularly characteristic finding. Growth retardation presented in all fetuses > 20 weeks, but not below. Other frequent abnormalities included cardiac anomalies in 50 and single umbilical artery (SUA) in 44.4% of fetuses. CONCLUSION: WHS should be considered in the presence of symmetric IUGR together with microcephaly, hypoplastic nasal bone and facial abnormalities on prenatal ultrasound. Genetic testing by chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) is strongly recommended in this context.

Mode of birth in monochorionic versus dichorionic twin pregnancies: a retrospective study from a large tertiary centre in Germany.

BACKGROUND: Optimal mode of birth for twins, in particular monochorionic twins, has been the subject of much debate. This retrospective study compared maternal and newborn outcomes after vaginal birth in monochorionic and dichorionic twins, utilizing a large institutional database. METHODS: Retrospective analysis focusing on 98 monochorionic-diamniotic (MC-DA) and 540 dichorionic-diamniotic (DC-DA) twin births extracted from the perinatal database of a large German hospital. Pregnancies ≥36 weeks of gestation with two viable foetuses born between 2004 and 2014 divided into planned vaginal and planned caesarean delivery were included. Descriptive analysis was performed for maternal characteristics. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidences intervals (CI) tested the predictive effect of vaginal birth on neonatal and maternal outcomes. RESULTS: 51.0% MC-DA and 46.7% DC-DA twin pregnancies were planned vaginal births and 44.0% MC-DA mothers and 43.7% DC-DA mothers actually gave birth vaginally. The overall rate of caesarean section (CS) during the years under observation was 79.6% for MC-DA and 77.0% for DC-DA pregnancies. There were no significant differences in neonatal outcome between the subsamples, although acidosis was observed more often in the second DC-DA twin and Apgar scores < 7 were observed more often in MC-DA twins. CONCLUSION: Vaginal birth may be recommended as an option to women with monochorionic twins as no significant differences in outcomes were found between MC-DA and DC-DA twins. However, over half of planned vaginal twin births resulted in CS.

Antenatal screening for chromosomal abnormalities.

Screening for chromosomal disorders, especially for trisomy 21, has undergone a number of changes in the last 50 years. Today, cell-free DNA analysis (cfDNA) is the gold standard in screening for trisomy 21. Despite the advantages that cfDNA offers in screening for common trisomies, it must be recognized that it does not address many other chromosomal disorders and any of the structural fetal anomalies. In the first trimester, the optimal approach is to combine an ultrasound assessment of the fetus, which includes an NT measurement, with cfDNA testing. If fetal structural defects are detected or if the NT thickness is increased, an amniocentesis or a CVS with at least chromosomal microarray should be offered.