Perinatal outcomes of iatrogenic chorioamniotic separation following fetoscopic surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the perinatal outcomes between pregnancies with and those without iatrogenic chorioamniotic separation (iCAS) following fetoscopic intervention. METHODS: We performed a search in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar from inception up to December 2020 for studies comparing perinatal outcomes between pregnancies that developed and those that did not develop iCAS after fetoscopic intervention for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), open neural tube defect (ONTD) or congenital diaphragmatic hernia. A random-effects model was used to pool the mean differences (MD) or odds ratios (OR) and the corresponding 95% CI. The primary outcome was neonatal survival. Secondary outcomes included gestational age (GA) at intervention and at delivery, interval from intervention to delivery and incidence of preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) and preterm delivery. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. RESULTS: The search identified 348 records, of which seven studies (six on fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (FLP) for TTTS and one on fetoscopic repair for ONTD) assessed the perinatal outcomes of pregnancies that developed iCAS after fetoscopic intervention. Given that only one study reported on fetoscopic ONTD repair, the meta-analysis was limited to TTTS pregnancies and included six studies (total of 1881 pregnancies). Pregnancies that developed iCAS after FLP for TTTS, compared with those that did not, had significantly lower GA at the time of intervention (weeks) (MD, -1.07 (95% CI, -1.89 to -0.24); P = 0.01) and at delivery (weeks) (MD, -1.74 (95% CI, -3.13 to -0.34); P = 0.01) and significantly lower neonatal survival (OR, 0.41 (95% CI, 0.24-0.70); P = 0.001). In addition, development of iCAS after FLP for TTTS increased significantly the risk for PPROM < 34 weeks' gestation (OR, 3.98 (95% CI, 1.76-9.03); P < 0.001) and preterm delivery < 32 weeks (OR, 1.80 (95% CI, 1.16-2.80); P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: iCAS is a common complication after FLP for TTTS. In patients undergoing FLP for TTTS, iCAS develops more often with earlier GA at intervention and is associated with earlier GA at delivery, higher risk of PPROM < 34 weeks' gestation and preterm delivery < 32 weeks and lower neonatal survival. Given the limitations of this meta-analysis and lack of literature reporting on other types of fetoscopic intervention, the presented findings should be interpreted with caution and should not be generalized to fetoscopic procedures used to treat other fetal conditions. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Neurological outcomes by mode of delivery for fetuses with open neural tube defects: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Controversy exists regarding the optimal mode of delivery for fetuses with open neural tube defects. OBJECTIVE: To compare neurological outcomes among infants with open neural tube defects who underwent vaginal compared with caesarean delivery. SEARCH STRATEGY: Electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Clinicaltrials.gov were searched from inception to November 2017. SELECTION CRITERIA: Eligible studies included observational or randomised studies comparing vaginal and caesarean delivery in pregnancies with fetal open neural tube defects who did not undergo prenatal repair. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently reviewed abstracts and full-text articles. Outcomes were compared between vaginal and caesarean delivery and prelabour caesarean versus exposure to labour. The primary outcome was motor-anatomic level difference. Secondary outcomes included shunt requirement, sac disruption, meningitis, and ambulation at 2 years. Meta-analysis was performed and mean difference or odds ratios with 95% CI were calculated. MAIN RESULTS: Of 201 abstracts identified in the primary search, nine studies (672 women) met the eligibility criteria. Comparing vaginal and caesarean delivery, there was no significant difference in motor-anatomic level difference (mean difference -0.10, 95% CI -0.58 to 0.38; I2  = 57%). The vaginal delivery group was less likely to require a shunt or have sac disruption [odds ratio (OR) 0.37, 95% CI 0.14-0.95 and OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.23-0.90, respectively]. Comparisons by prelabour caesarean versus exposure to labour showed no significant difference in motor-anatomic level difference (OR 1.29, 95% CI 0.63-3.21) or ambulation at 2 years (OR 2.13, 95% CI 0.35-13.12). CONCLUSION: Caesarean delivery was not associated with improved neurological outcomes among fetuses with open neural tube defects. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Available evidence does not support routine caesarean delivery for fetuses with open neural tube defects.

Effectiveness of vesicoamniotic shunt in fetuses with congenital lower urinary tract obstruction: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect on perinatal and postnatal survival of vesicoamniotic shunt (VAS) as treatment for fetal lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO). METHODS: An electronic search of Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Ovid Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Scopus using relevant search terms was conducted from inception to June 2015 to identify studies comparing outcomes of VAS vs conservative management for treatment of LUTO. Cohort studies and clinical trials were considered eligible. Single-arm studies and studies that did not report survival were excluded. Sample size and language were not criteria for exclusion. Two reviewers extracted independently data in a standardized form, including study characteristics and results. Primary outcomes were perinatal and postnatal survival. Secondary outcome was postnatal renal function. Data on fetal survival were expressed as odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI. RESULTS: Of the 423 abstracts retrieved, nine studies were eligible for inclusion. These studies included 112 fetuses treated with VAS and 134 that were managed conservatively. There was heterogeneity in study design. Although the data demonstrated a difference in effect estimates between the study arms in terms of perinatal survival (OR, 2.54 (95% CI, 1.14-5.67)), there was no difference in 6-12-month survival (OR, 1.77 (95% CI, 0.25-12.71)) or 2-year survival (OR, 1.81 (95% CI, 0.09-38.03)). In addition, there was no difference in effect on postnatal renal function between fetuses that underwent intervention and those that did not (OR, 2.09 (95% CI, 0.74-5.94)). CONCLUSIONS: Available data seem to support an advantage for perinatal survival in fetuses treated with VAS compared with conservative management. However, 1-2-year survival and outcome of renal function after VAS procedure remain uncertain. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of fetal intervention for LUTO based on different severity of the disease, due to the very low quality of the studies according to GRADE guidelines. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Solvent effects on the dissociation reactions of tartaric, maleic and phthalic acids; comparative study and analysis of thermodynamic functions.

The first and second dissociation constants of tartaric, maleic and phthalic acids have been determined using EMF method in water-ethanol mixed solvents, over a wide range of solvent composition (0-60 wt% ethanol) at six different temperatures (ranging from 30 to 55 degrees C at intervals of 5 degrees C). The thermodynamic parameters (DeltaG degrees , DeltaH degrees and DeltaS degrees ) for the first and the second ionization reactions were calculated from the well known equations. The results have been discussed in terms of the solute-solvent interactions and were compared with those of malic, malonic and succinic acids in the same mixed solvents.