Umbilical artery pulsatility index and fetal abdominal circumference in isolated gastroschisis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate changes in abdominal circumference (AC) and umbilical artery pulsatility index (UA-PI) with gestation in fetuses with isolated gastroschisis, and to determine whether a relationship exists between UA-PI and fetal AC. METHODS: Data from 58 pregnancies with isolated gastroschisis diagnosed at between 24 and 36 weeks' gestation were included in the study. Z-scores were calculated with respect to expected UA-PI values in normal pregnancies after log-transformation. AC-Z-scores were calculated with respect to expected size in normal pregnancies according to a standard chart. Functional linear discriminant analysis (FLDA) was applied to generate 50(th), 5(th) and 95(th) percentile curves for changes in both AC and UA-PI with gestational age in fetuses with gastroschisis. These curves were compared with the standard curves, as were the means. UA-PI was also plotted against AC. For this relationship, a robust Spearman correlation coefficient was obtained with FLDA. RESULTS: In fetuses with gastroschisis, there was a highly significant negative correlation between UA-PI and AC, normalized for gestation using Z-scores (median correlation coefficient, - 0.289; median P = 0.000023). Moreover, compared with standard curves AC was lower and UA-PI higher in the gestational-age range studied. Both the AC and UA-PI curves showed a significantly different rate of change with gestation compared with the normal ranges. The mean values for fetuses with gastroschisis compared with the standard AC and UA-PI range curves were significantly different for AC throughout gestation, and for UA-PI from 32 weeks' gestation. CONCLUSIONS: In fetal gastroschisis, it is well known that AC tends to be smaller, though UA-PI has not been reported to be abnormal in any consistent way. There is a clear relationship between the fetus's AC for gestation and UA-PI, which is not the case for normally grown fetuses. The data suggest that the growth restriction seen in gastroschisis may be explained by hypoxia, and not simply by the classical explanation of extra-abdominal displacement of the abdominal viscera.

The anesthetist as cardiologist: a case of heart block identified in the peripartum period.

We describe a case of undiagnosed heart block which was detected during the postpartum surgical repair of a vaginal tear, and the subsequent investigations that confirmed diagnosis of atrio-ventricular heart block.

Palliative care for prenatally diagnosed lethal fetal abnormality.

Diagnosis of lethal fetal abnormality raises challenging decisions for parents and clinicians. Most parents opt for termination, which may include feticide. Advances in imaging seem unlikely to lead to earlier diagnoses. Perinatal palliative care offers an alternative. Parental decision making and the clinical aspects of perinatal palliative care were studied after a prenatal diagnosis of lethal fetal abnormality in 20 pregnancies. 40% of parents chose to continue the pregnancy and pursue perinatal palliative care. Six of these eight babies were liveborn and lived for between 1(1/2) h and 3 weeks.

One-stage screening for pregnancy complications by color Doppler assessment of the uterine arteries at 23 weeks' gestation.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the value of screening for preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction by performing color Doppler assessment of uterine arteries at 23 weeks' gestation in predicting adverse pregnancy outcome. METHODS: Women with singleton pregnancies who attended routine ultrasonography at 23 weeks had color Doppler uterine artery imaging. Bilateral uterine artery notches were noted and left and right uterine artery pulsatility indices (PI) were measured. A mean PI of more than 1.45 was considered increased. Screening characteristics for predicting preeclampsia and delivery of small-for-gestational-age infants were calculated. RESULTS: Of 1757 pregnancies, increased PI was present in 89 (5.1%) and bilateral notches were noted in 77 (4.4%). Twenty-three of 65 women (35.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 23.9, 48.2) had increased PI and later developed preeclampsia, and 8 of 10 (80%; 95% CI 44.4, 97. 5) with preeclampsia required delivery before 34 weeks. The respective values for women with bilateral notches were 21 of 65 (32. 3%; 95% CI 21.2, 45.1) and 8 of 10 (80%; 95% CI 44.4, 97.5). The sensitivity of increased PI was 30 of 143 (21%; 95% CI 14.6, 28.6) for delivery of an infant with birth weight below the tenth percentile and 7 of 10 (70% 95% CI 34.8,93.3) for birth weight below the tenth percentile delivered before 34 weeks. The respective values for bilateral notches were 19 of 143 (13.3%; 95% CI 8.2, 20) and 5 of 10 (50%; 95% CI 18.7, 81.3). CONCLUSION: A one-stage color Doppler screening program at 23 weeks identified most women who subsequently developed serious complications of impaired placentation associated with delivery before 34 weeks. The screening results were similar when the high-risk group was defined as women with increased PI or bilateral notches.

Individualized risk assessment for adverse pregnancy outcome by uterine artery Doppler at 23 weeks.

OBJECTIVE: To provide individualized risk prediction of severe adverse pregnancy outcome based on uterine artery Doppler screening at 23 weeks. METHODS: Color Doppler assessment of the uterine arteries was carried out in 5121 women attending for routine care at 23 weeks in two inner-city obstetric units. The mean uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) was calculated, and the likelihood ratios in relation to PI were generated for severe adverse outcome. This was defined as fetal death, placental abruption, and delivery before 34 weeks associated with preeclampsia and birth weight less than the 10th centile. RESULTS: The likelihood of severe adverse pregnancy outcome increased quadratically with mean uterine artery PI. This relationship was not affected by maternal age, ethnicity, or parity. At a mean PI of 1.45, the 95th centile for our population, the likelihood ratio for severe adverse pregnancy outcome was 5. Cigarette smoking had an additional contribution to PI in predicting severe adverse outcome, roughly doubling the risk for a given PI. CONCLUSION: The individualized risk of severe adverse pregnancy outcome can be determined by uterine artery Doppler screening at 23 weeks and knowledge of cigarette smoking history. Such individualized risk would allow ultrasound resources and clinical follow-up to be tailored to the pregnant woman for the most appropriate use of antenatal care.

Pregnancy outcome and fibrinolytic, endothelial and coagulation markers in women undergoing uterine artery Doppler screening at 23 weeks.

BACKGROUND: Pre-eclampsia (PET) and/or fetal growth restriction (FGR) remain a major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. In pregnancy, fibrinolysis is controlled by the maternal endothelium and placenta, both of which are central to the pathogenesis of PET/FGR. Clinically, uterine artery Doppler screening at 23 weeks is used to predict PET/FGR. An abnormal uterine artery Doppler finding is defined as early diastolic bilateral uterine artery notching (BN) in the waveform. However, about 50% of mothers with BN do not develop PET/FGR. OBJECTIVES: We investigated fibrinolytic changes and uterine artery Doppler findings in the second trimester, and related them to pregnancy outcome; in particular assessing whether fibrinolytic markers could discriminate between normal and abnormal outcome in mothers with BN. PATIENTS/METHODS: Plasma levels of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 (PAI-2), plasmin-alpha(2) antiplasmin (PAP), D-dimers and markers of endothelial dysfunction were measured with Doppler ultrasound at 23 weeks. RESULTS: Those with BN had decreased PAP and D-dimer levels, and raised PAI-1 and thrombomodulin levels. Mothers with BN and PET/FGR had significantly increased t-PA levels and reduced PAI-2 levels. CONCLUSIONS: BN at 23 weeks of gestation is associated with increased PAI-1 levels. Within the BN group, mothers who developed PET/FGR had increased t-PA levels and decreased PAI-2 levels, although there was no net change in fibrinolysis as measured by D-dimer levels. No single fibrinolytic marker is helpful in determining pregnancy outcome in those with BN, but t-PA and PAI-2 are worthy of study in a multifactorial algorithm.

Fetal arterial and venous Doppler pulsatility index and time averaged velocity ranges.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the fetal arterial and venous Doppler pulsatility index and time averaged velocity ranges for women undergoing third trimester ultrasound. METHODS: One hundred and seventy-two women with singleton pregnancy and clinical indication underwent biometry and fetal Doppler assessment at 23 to 41 weeks. Umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery, thoracic aorta and ductus venosus pulsatility index and time averaged velocity measurements were performed and corrected statistically based on the distribution of estimated fetal weight at the time of the scan. RESULTS: The tables and figures of the several vessels published in this study are broadly comparable to other publications and unlike others, are adjusted for the estimated fetal weight distribution. CONCLUSIONS: We present the values of the commonly measured Doppler indices in fetuses with normal growth at the time of scan. The ranges, therefore, have potential utility in the setting where referrals to a fetal assessment unit are made.

[Perinatal management of triplet pregnancies from 1997 to 2001]. / Perinatales Management und Ausgang von Drillingsschwangerschaften zwischen 1997 und 2001.

BACKGROUND: Because of the trend for premature birth, multifetal pregnancies are at high risk for neonatal morbidity and mortality. This study presents our perinatal management scheme and the outcome of triplet pregnancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1997 to 2001 we studied 31 triplet pregnancies. Their management consisted of cervical measurement at 20 weeks, admission from 25 weeks onwards, regular ultrasound examinations, intravenous tocolysis with preterm contractions or cervical shortening, promotion of fetal lung maturation, antibiotic therapy with evidence of vaginal infection, delivery by caesarean section ideally at 33 weeks. RESULTS: In the studied group 4 triplet pregnancies were monochorionic, 6 dichorionic, and 21 (68 %) trichorionic. 2/31 triplet pregnancies finalized in late abortions. Furthermore, a single and a double intrauterine death occured in two triplet pregnancies. 6 (21 %) of triplet pregnancies were delivered before the 30th week and 23 (79 %) after the 30th week of gestation (median gestational age 31.5 weeks, median birth weight 1545g). Neonates of trichorionic pregnancies in comparison to those of mono- and dichorionic pregnancies were delivered two to three weeks later and presented with significantly higher birth weights (1660 g vs. 1245 g vs. 1240 g; p = 0.001 and 0.0009, respectively). 13/84 (15.5 %) of the neonates showed growth retardation. In 4/84 (4.1 %) children brochopulmonary dysplasia or cerebral haemorrhage was observed. Only one child developed enterocolitis. 19 % (16/84) of neonates showed evidence of retinopathy. No intrauterine death occured after 28 weeks and no child died after delivery. CONCLUSION/DISCUSSION: With our well defined management of triplet pregnancies from 20 weeks onwards we reach similar gestational ages at delivery but remarkably lower neonatal complication rates compared to previous studies.

Platelet changes and subsequent development of pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction in women with abnormal uterine artery Doppler screening.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether, in women with abnormal uterine artery Doppler, platelet volume and function will identify a subgroup of women at increased risk of pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction and whether in-vitro platelet aggregation precedes the onset of clinical disease. DESIGN: Platelet number, volume and aggregation induced by collagen or adenosine 5'-diphosphate were evaluated in 16 non-pregnant controls, 29 pregnant women with normal uterine artery Doppler and 31 pregnant women with abnormal Doppler, hence at risk of pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction at 23 weeks. Outcome of pregnancy was recorded in each case. RESULTS: Twelve women in the group with abnormal uterine artery Doppler subsequently developed pre-eclampsia and/or intrauterine growth restriction. All women with normal uterine artery Doppler had a normal pregnancy outcome. No differences in platelet count or in vitro platelet aggregation induced by collagen were observed between the groups. Mean platelet volume was greater in those with abnormal Doppler who had intrauterine growth restriction or normal pregnancy outcome compared with normal Doppler (10.3 and 10.3 vs. 9.4 fL, P = 0.004 and P = 0.01, respectively). Aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate was higher in women with abnormal Doppler who developed pre-eclampsia or intrauterine growth restriction compared with those with normal outcomes (66.5 and 66.5 vs. 21%, P = 0.02, P = 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Women with abnormal uterine artery Doppler at 23 weeks show alterations in mean platelet volume and platelet function that relate to subsequent adverse outcome.

Comparison of color Doppler uterine artery indices in a population at high risk for adverse outcome at 24 weeks' gestation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare uterine artery Doppler velocity and impedance indices in the presence and absence of uterine artery waveform notches, in the prediction of adverse pregnancy outcome in high-risk women. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-seven women identified at Doppler screening as being at 'high risk' underwent a further uterine artery Doppler assessment at 24 weeks' gestation. Pulsatility and resistance indices and minimum, time averaged and time averaged maximum velocities were measured, and the presence of bilateral notches noted. Adverse outcomes were pre-eclampsia, birth weight less than the tenth centile, placental abruption and intrauterine death. The best cut-off for each parameter was assessed by univariate logistic regression, and the comparative performance of the screening parameters was assessed using kappa values. RESULTS: The best performing index in the presence of bilateral notches was mean resistance index, for a cut-off of 0.67, giving a kappa value of 0.65. Mean pulsatility index and lowest pulsatility index performed similarly well, both with kappa values of 0.58. All velocity indices apart from lowest minimum velocity had kappa values of < 0.4. When indices were analyzed, irrespective of notch status, mean resistance and mean pulsatility indices performed similarly, with kappa values of 0.49 and 0.46, respectively; mean minimum velocity had a kappa value of 0.4. CONCLUSIONS: In a high-risk population, uterine artery Doppler mean resistance indices perform better than do velocity indices in the prediction of adverse pregnancy outcome, irrespective of notch status.