The evolving genetic etiology of conotruncal anomalies.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic yield of genetic testing for antenatally detected conotruncal defects. METHOD: This was a retrospective analysis of all antenatally detected cases of conotruncal anomalies over a 4-year period. Patients were offered antenatal and postnatal genetic testing including QF-PCR, microarray and exome sequencing (ES) antenatally or genome sequencing (GS) postnatally on a case-by-case basis. RESULTS: There were 301 cases included. Overall, there were pathogenic genetic findings in 27.6% of the cases tested (53/192). The commonest finding was 22q11.21 deletion (20/192 cases, 10.4%), followed by trisomy 21 (6/192, 3.1%). There were 249 cases of isolated conotruncal anomalies, of which 59.8% (149/249) had genetic testing and 22.8% (34/149) had pathogenic findings. ES/GS was performed in five cases with no pathogenic findings. There were 52 cases of non-isolated contruncal anomalies, of which 82.7% (43/52) had genetic testing. ES/GS was performed in 11 cases in this group and increased the yield of clinically significant diagnoses from 32.6% (14/43) to 44.2% (19/43). CONCLUSION: Genetic abnormalities are present in over one quarter of cases of antenatally detected conotruncal anomalies. The commonest abnormality is 22q11.21 deletion. Exome sequencing or genome sequencing leads to a significant increase in genetic diagnosis in non-isolated cases.

Interventions for Infection and Inflammation-Induced Preterm Birth: a Preclinical Systematic Review.

Spontaneous preterm births (< 37 weeks gestation) are frequently associated with infection. Current treatment options are limited but new therapeutic interventions are being developed in animal models. In this PROSPERO-registered preclinical systematic review, we aimed to summarise promising interventions for infection/inflammation-induced preterm birth. Following PRISMA guidance, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science using the themes: "animal models", "preterm birth", "inflammation", and "therapeutics". We included original quantitative, peer-reviewed, and controlled studies applying prenatal interventions to prevent infection/inflammation-induced preterm birth in animal models. We employed two risk of bias tools. Of 4020 identified studies, 23 studies (24 interventions) met our inclusion criteria. All studies used mouse models. Preterm birth was most commonly induced by lipopolysaccharide (18 studies) or Escherichia coli (4 studies). Models varied according to infectious agent serotype, dose, and route of delivery. Gestational length was significantly prolonged in 20/24 interventions (83%) and markers of maternal inflammation were reduced in 20/23 interventions (87%). Interventions targeting interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and toll-like receptors show particular therapeutic potential. However, due to the heterogeneity of the methodology of the included studies, meta-analysis was impossible. All studies were assigned an unclear risk of bias using the SYRCLE risk of bias tool. Interventions targeting inflammation demonstrate therapeutic potential for the prevention of preterm birth. However, better standardisation of preterm birth models, including the dose, serotype, timing of administration and pathogenicity of infectious agent, and outcome reporting is urgently required to improve the reproducibility of preclinical studies, allow meaningful comparison of intervention efficacy, and aid clinical translation.

The effect of antenatal corticosteroid use on offspring cardiovascular function: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) are recommended in threatened preterm labour to improve short-term neonatal outcome. Preclinical animal studies suggest detrimental effects of ACS exposure on offspring cardiac development; their effects in humans are unknown. OBJECTIVES: To systematically review the human clinical literature to determine the effects of ACS on offspring cardiovascular function. SEARCH STRATEGY: A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases. SELECTION CRITERIA: Offspring who had been exposed to ACS during fetal life, in comparison with those not receiving steroids, those receiving a placebo or population data, were included. Studies not performed in humans or that did not assess cardiovascular function were excluded. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently screened the studies, extracted the data and assessed the quality of the studies. Results were combined descriptively and analysed using a standardised Excel form. MAIN RESULTS: Twenty-six studies including 1921 patients were included, most of which were cohort studies of mixed quality. The type of ACS exposure, gestational age at exposure, dose and number of administrations varied widely. Offspring cardiovascular outcomes were assessed from 1 day to 36 years postnatally. The most commonly assessed parameter was arterial blood pressure (18 studies), followed by echocardiography (eight studies), heart rate (five studies), electrocardiogram (ECG, three studies) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, one study). There were no clinically significant effects of ACS exposure on offspring blood pressure. However, there were insufficient studies assessing cardiac structure and function using echocardiography or cardiac MRI to be able to determine an effect. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of ACS is not associated with long-term effects on blood pressure in exposed human offspring. The effects on cardiac structure and other measures of cardiac function were unclear because of the small number, heterogeneity and mixed quality of the studies. Given the preclinical and human evidence of potential harm following ACS exposure, there is a need for further research to assess central cardiac function in human offspring exposed to ACS.

What brain abnormalities can magnetic resonance imaging detect in foetal and early neonatal spina bifida: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Open spina bifida (OSB) encompasses a wide spectrum of intracranial abnormalities. With foetal surgery as a new treatment option, robust intracranial imaging is important for comprehensive preoperative evaluation and prognostication. We aimed to determine the incidence of infratentorial and supratentorial findings detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) alone and MRI compared to ultrasound. METHODS: Two systematic reviews comparing MRI to ultrasound and MRI alone were conducted on MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases identifying studies of foetal OSB from 2000 to 2020. Intracranial imaging findings were analysed at ≤ 26 or > 26 weeks gestation and neonates (≤ 28 days). Data was independently extracted by two reviewers and meta-analysis was performed where possible. RESULTS: Thirty-six studies reported brain abnormalities detected by MRI alone in patients who previously had an ultrasound. Callosal dysgenesis was identified in 4/29 cases (2 foetuses ≤ 26 weeks, 1 foetus under any gestation, and 1 neonate ≤ 28 days) (15.1%, CI:5.7-34.3%). Heterotopia was identified in 7/40 foetuses ≤ 26 weeks (19.8%, CI:7.7-42.2%), 9/36 foetuses > 26 weeks (25.3%, CI:13.7-41.9%), and 64/250 neonates ≤ 28 days (26.9%, CI:15.3-42.8%). Additional abnormalities included aberrant cortical folding and other Chiari II malformation findings such as lower cervicomedullary kink level, tectal beaking, and hypoplastic tentorium. Eight studies compared MRI directly to ultrasound, but due to reporting inconsistencies, it was not possible to meta-analyse. CONCLUSION: MRI is able to detect anomalies hitherto underestimated in foetal OSB which may be important for case selection. In view of increasing prenatal OSB surgery, further studies are required to assess developmental consequences of these findings.

'We did everything we could'- a qualitative study exploring the acceptability of maternal-fetal surgery for spina bifida to parents.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the concepts and strategies parents employ when considering maternal-fetal surgery (MFS) as an option for the management of spina bifida (SB) in their fetus, and how this determines the acceptability of the intervention. METHODS: A two-centre interview study enrolling parents whose fetuses with SB were eligible for MFS. To assess differences in acceptability, parents opting for MFS (n = 24) were interviewed at three different moments in time: prior to the intervention, directly after the intervention and 3-6 months after birth. Parents opting for termination of pregnancy (n = 5) were interviewed only once. Themes were identified and organised in line with the framework of acceptability. RESULTS: To parents opting for MFS, the intervention was perceived as an opportunity that needed to be taken. Feelings of parental responsibility drove them to do anything in their power to improve their future child's situation. Expectations seemed to be realistic yet were driven by hope for the best outcome. None expressed decisional regret at any stage, despite substantial impact and, at times, disappointing outcomes. For the small group of participants, who decided to opt for termination of pregnancy (TOP), MFS was not perceived as an intervention that substantially could improve the quality of their future child's life. CONCLUSION: Prospective parents opting for MFS were driven by their feelings of parental responsibility. They recognise the fetus as their future child and value information and care focusing on optimising the child's future health. In the small group of parents opting for TOP, MFS was felt to offer insufficient certainty of substantial improvement in quality of life and the perceived severe impact of SB drove their decision to end the pregnancy.

Incidence and patterns of abnormal corpus callosum in fetuses with isolated spina bifida aperta.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and characterise corpus callosum (CC) abnormalities in fetuses with spina bifida aperta (SBA) between 18 and 26 weeks of gestation. METHODS: This was a retrospective study on fetuses with isolated SBA and who were assessed for fetal surgery. Digitally stored ultrasound images of the brain were reviewed for the presence/absence of the CC, and the length and diameter of its constituent parts (rostrum, genu, body and splenium). We used regression analysis to determine the relationship between CC abnormalities and gestational age, head circumference, ventricle size, lesion level and lesion type. RESULTS: Nearly three-quarters of fetuses with isolated SBA had an abnormal CC (71.7%, 76/106). Partial agenesis was most common in the splenium (18.9%, 20/106) and the rostrum (13.2%, 14/106). The most common abnormal pattern was of a short CC with normal diameter throughout. Of note, 20.8% (22/106) had a hypoplastic genu and 28.3% (30/106) had a thick body part. Larger lateral ventricle size was associated with partial agenesis of the CC (odds ratio [OR]: 0.14, p < 0.001) and inversely associated with a shorter CC (OR: 2.60, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: An abnormal CC is common in fetuses with isolated SBA who are referred for fetal surgery.

Fetal dural sinus thrombosis: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Fetal dural sinus thrombosis (DST) is a rare condition. Although numerous case reports exist, the findings appear heterogenous and providing accurate patient counselling remains challenging. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidance. RESULTS: Thirty-one studies including 78 patients were included in this review. No association with maternal or neonatal coagulopathy, infection or trauma was found. The average gestational age at diagnosis was 25 weeks (range 17-34 weeks). Approximately half of foetuses affected were female (48.7%); one quarter were male (25.6%) and one quarter had no sex stated (25.6%). Termination of pregnancy was chosen in 25.6% of cases (20/78). In continuing pregnancies,10.3% (6/58) experienced a perinatal death. Antenatally, the majority of lesions either decreased in size (38.5%) or completely resolved (32.7%). The neonatal or childhood outcome was normal in 88.0% of survivors (44/50). The average age at follow up was 16.4 months, ranging from birth to 6 years. CONCLUSION: This review found that 10% of DST cases experience in-utero or neonatal death. In survivors, the majority of cases reduce in size or completely resolve in pregnancy and 85% are reported to have a good outcome. However, further evidence is needed regarding long-term neurocognitive sequelae.

A study to assess knowledge and acceptability of foetal surgery for spina bifida amongst healthcare professionals in the UK.

Foetal surgery to repair open spina bifida before birth improves infant motor function and reduces ventriculoperitoneal shunt requirement. Alongside the development of the first UK foetal surgery service, we surveyed the knowledge and acceptability of this treatment to healthcare professionals in the UK and Ireland via an electronic questionnaire. Ninety-eight (98) responses were received: MFM clinicians (21), midwives (20), paediatric neurosurgeons (17), obstetricians (15), neonatologists (13), theatre nurses (11) and commissioners (1). Overall 70% of responders agreed with the concept that foetal surgery improved neonatal outcome in selected cases; although, only 41% of paediatric neurosurgeons agreed. A variety of concerns were expressed, the most common being the lack information regarding mid- to long-term effects on the child and mother.In offering this new service, it is important that we are cognisant of healthcare professional concerns and address them by applying internationally accepted criteria for foetal surgery, emphasising patient choice and collecting long-term data.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Foetal surgery is a potentially controversial intervention, which is increasing in availability globally. Foetal surgery is now available in the UK on a charitable-funding basis. Prior to starting a UK foetal surgery service, we assessed the attitudes and knowledge of healthcare professionals in the UK towards this new surgery.What the results of this study add? Overall the majority of healthcare professionals agree with the concept that foetal surgery improves neonatal outcome in selected cases, but a variety of concerns exist, the most common being the lack of information regarding mid- to long-term effects on the child and mother. Other concerns included a lack of education, training and research; the specific risk of preterm birth following surgery; the evidence base for this procedure; effects on maternal choice and financial implications.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Those developing this new service should be mindful of the concerns expressed and address them by applying internationally accepted criteria for foetal surgery, emphasising patient choice and collecting long-term data.

Women's choices in non-invasive prenatal testing for aneuploidy screening: results from a single centre prior to introduction in England.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate patient choices and uptake of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for aneuploidy screening offered in a contingency model as part of routine care. METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed data for all women with a singleton pregnancy attending for routine first trimester screening over an 18-month period. Women with a 'high-chance' of trisomy 21, 18 or 13 (≥1:150) were offered the choice of no further testing, NIPT or invasive testing, in line with the screening pathway recommended by the UK National Screening Committee. RESULTS: Of 9342 women attending for a first trimester ultrasound scan, 7939 women were included in this study. Of these, 352 had a high-chance screening result for trisomy 21, and 291 (82.7%) opted for NIPT. The proportion of women opting for NIPT decreased as the chance of trisomy 21 increased: uptake was 93.2%, 90.0%, 77.1% and 47.2% for women with a chance of 1:100-150, 1:50-99, 1:10-49 and >1:10, respectively. 516 women (5.5%) accessed primary NIPT screening in the private sector, and 638 women (6.8%) declined any aneuploidy screening or testing. CONCLUSION: Implementation of NIPT testing in a contingency model has a high uptake in a non-research National Health Service setting; the rate of uptake is related to the combined test risk result.

Long-term neuropathological and/or neurobehavioral effects of antenatal corticosteroid therapy in animal models: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Antenatal corticosteroids (ACSs) are recommended to all women at risk for preterm delivery; currently, there is controversy about the subsequent long-term neurocognitive sequelae. This systematic review summarizes the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes after ACS therapy in animal models. METHODS: An electronic search strategy incorporating MeSH and keywords was performed using all known literature databases and in accordance with PRISMA guidance (PROSPERO CRD42019119663). RESULTS: Of the 669 studies identified, eventually 64 were included. The majority of studies utilized dexamethasone at relative high dosages and primarily involved rodents. There was a high risk of bias, mostly due to lack of randomization, allocation concealment, and blinding. The main outcomes reported on was neuropathological, particularly glucocorticoid receptor expression and neuron densities, and neurobehavior. Overall there was an upregulation of glucocorticoid receptors with lower neuron densities and a dysregulation of the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems. This coincided with various adverse neurobehavioral outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In animal models, ACSs consistently lead to deleterious long-term neurocognitive effects. This may be due to the specific agents, i.e., dexamethasone, or the repetitive/higher total dosing used. ACS administration varied significantly between studies and there was a high risk of bias. Future research should be standardized in well-characterized models.

Fetal surgery for open spina bifida.

KEY CONTENT: Spina bifida is a congenital neurological condition with lifelong physical and mental effects.Open fetal repair of the spinal lesion has been shown to improve hindbrain herniation, ventriculoperitoneal shunting, independent mobility and bladder outcomes for the child and, despite an increased risk of prematurity, does not seem to increase the risk of neurodevelopmental impairment.Open fetal surgery is associated with maternal morbidity.Surgery at our institution is offered and performed according to internationally agreed criteria and protocols.Further evidence regarding long-term outcomes, fetoscopic repair and alternative techniques is awaited. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: To understand the clinical effects, potential prevention and prenatal diagnosis of spina bifida.To understand the rationale and evidence supporting the benefits and risks of fetal repair of open spina bifida.To understand the criteria defining those who are likely to benefit from fetal surgery. ETHICAL ISSUES: The concept of the fetus as a patient, and issues surrounding fetal death or the need for resuscitation during fetal surgery.The associated maternal morbidity in a procedure performed solely for the benefit of the fetus/child.The financial implications of new surgical treatments.

Evaluating the value of intrapartum fetal scalp blood sampling to predict adverse neonatal outcomes: A UK multicentre observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of fetal scalp blood sampling (FBS) as an adjunct test to cardiotocography, to predict adverse neonatal outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: A multicentre service evaluation observational study in forty-four maternity units in the UK. We collected data retrospectively on pregnant women with singleton pregnancy who received FBS in labour using a standardised data collection tool. The primary outcome was prediction of neonatal acidaemia diagnosed as umbilical cord arterial pH < 7.05, the secondary outcomes were the prediction of Apgar scores<7 at 1st and 5th minutes and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). We evaluated the correlation between the last FBS blood gas before birth and the umbilical cord blood and adjusted for time intervals. We constructed 2 × 2 tables to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) and generated receiver operating curves to report on the Area Under the Curve (AUC). RESULTS: In total, 1422 samples were included in the analysis; pH values showed no correlation (r = 0.001, p = 0.9) in samples obtained within an hour (n = 314), or within half an hour from birth (n = 115) (r=-0.003, p = 0.9). A suboptimal FBS pH value (<7.25) had a poor sensitivity (22%) and PPV (4.9%) to predict neonatal acidaemia with high specificity (87.3%) and NPV (97.4%). Similar performance was noted to predict Apgar scores <7 at 1st (sensitivity 14.5%, specificity 87.5%, PPV 23.4%, NPV 79.6%) and 5th minute (sensitivity 20.3%, specificity 87.4%, PPV 7.6%, NPV 95.6%), and admission to NICU (sensitivity 20.3%, specificity 87.5%, PPV 13.3%, NPV 92.1%). The AUC for FBS pH to predict neonatal acidaemia was 0.59 (95%CI 0.59-0.68, p = 0.3) with similar performance to predict Apgar scores<7 at 1st minute (AUC 0.55, 95%CI 0.51-0.59, p = 0.004), 5th minute (AUC 0.55, 95%CI 0.48-0.62, p = 0.13), and admission to NICU (AUC 0.58, 95%CI 0.52-0.64, p = 0.002). Forty-one neonates had acidaemia (2.8%, 41/1422) at birth. There was no significant correlation in pH values between the FBS and the umbilical cord blood in this subgroup adjusted for sampling time intervals (r = 0.03, p = 0.83). CONCLUSIONS: As an adjunct tool to cardiotocography, FBS offered limited value to predict neonatal acidaemia, low Apgar Scores and admission to NICU.

Maternal complications following open and fetoscopic fetal surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To establish maternal complication rates for fetoscopic or open fetal surgery. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature review for studies of fetoscopic or open fetal surgery performed since 1990, recording maternal complications during fetal surgery, the remainder of pregnancy, delivery, and after the index pregnancy. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-six studies were included, reporting outcomes for open fetal (n = 1193 patients) and fetoscopic surgery (n = 9403 patients). No maternal deaths were reported. The risk of any maternal complication in the index pregnancy was 20.9% (95%CI, 15.22-27.13) for open fetal and 6.2% (95%CI, 4.93-7.49) for fetoscopic surgery. For severe maternal complications (grades III to V Clavien-Dindo classification of surgical complications), the risk was 4.5% (95% CI 3.24-5.98) for open fetal and 1.7% (95% CI, 1.19-2.20) for fetoscopic surgery. In subsequent pregnancies, open fetal surgery increased the risk of preterm birth but not uterine dehiscence or rupture. Nearly one quarter of reviewed studies (n = 175, 23.3%) was excluded for failing to report the presence or absence of maternal complications. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal complications occur in 6.2% fetoscopic and 20.9% open fetal surgeries, with serious maternal complications in 1.7% fetoscopic and 4.5% open procedures. Reporting of maternal complications is variable. To properly quantify maternal risks, outcomes should be reported consistently across all fetal surgery studies.

A study to assess global availability of fetal surgery for myelomeningocele.

AIM: To establish the provision of fetal surgery for myelomeningocele (MMC) worldwide. METHODS: Through the International Society for Prenatal Diagnosis (ISPD) Fetal Therapy Special Interest Group and the North American Fetal Therapy Network (NAFTNet), fetal therapy centres were surveyed (September 2017-June 2018) regarding availability of fetal MMC surgical repair, patient inclusion criteria, repair techniques, number of cases, and outcome reporting. Responses were summarised on an interactive map on the ISPD website. RESULTS: Forty-four of 59 centres responded (74.6%) of which 34 centres (77.1%) currently offered fetal surgery for MMC and seven centres (15.9%) were awaiting a first case after service set up. Patient inclusion criteria were similar and based on the Management of Myelomeningocele (MOMS) trial. Five centres (14.7%) operated beyond 26 weeks' gestational age, outside the MOMS criteria. Open fetal surgery was provided in 23 centres (67.6%), fetoscopic surgery only in five (14.7%), and six centres offered both types (17.6%). Neurosurgical closure was similar for open surgery but highly variable in fetoscopy surgery. The median number of cases per centre was 21 (range 1-253). CONCLUSIONS: Fetal surgery for MMC is now offered globally. Two thirds of centres offer open repair via hysterotomy using criteria based on the MOMS trial.