Prediction of Neonatal Respiratory Morbidity Assessed by Quantitative Ultrasound Lung Texture Analysis in Twin Pregnancies.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of quantitative ultrasound of fetal lung texture analysis in predicting neonatal respiratory morbidity (NRM) in twin pregnancies. This was an ambispective study involving consecutive cases. Eligible cases included twin pregnancies between 27.0 and 38.6 weeks of gestation, for which an ultrasound image of the fetal thorax was obtained within 48 h of delivery. Images were analyzed using quantusFLM® version 3.0. The primary outcome of this study was neonatal respiratory morbidity, defined as the occurrence of either transient tachypnea of the newborn or respiratory distress syndrome. The performance of quantusFLM® in predicting NRM was analyzed by matching quantitative ultrasound analysis and clinical outcomes. This study included 166 images. Neonatal respiratory morbidity occurred in 12.7% of cases, and it was predicted by quantusFLM® analysis with an overall sensitivity of 42.9%, specificity of 95.9%, positive predictive value of 60%, and negative predictive value of 92.1%. The accuracy was 89.2%, with a positive likelihood ratio of 10.4, and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.6. The results of this study demonstrate the good prediction capability of NRM in twin pregnancies using a non-invasive lung texture analysis software. The test showed an overall good performance with high specificity, negative predictive value, and accuracy.

Concordance of the risk of neonatal respiratory morbidity assessed by quantitative ultrasound lung texture analysis in fetuses of twin pregnancies.

To evaluate the concordance of the risk of neonatal respiratory morbidity (NRM) assessed by quantitative ultrasound lung texture analysis (QuantusFLM) between twin fetuses of the same pregnancy. Prospective study conducted in twin pregnancies. Fetal ultrasound lung images were obtained at 26.0-38.6 weeks of gestation. Categorical (high or low) and continuous results of the risk of NRM were compared between twins. Fetal ultrasound lung images from 131 pairs (262 images) of twins were included. The images were classified into three gestational age ranges: Group 1 (26.0-29.6 weeks, 78 images, 39 pairs [29.8%]); Group 2 (30.0-33.6 weeks, 98 images, 49 pairs [37.4%]) and Group 3 (34.0-38.6 weeks, 86 images, 43 pairs [32.8%]). Concordance was good in Groups 1 and 3 and moderate in Group 2. In Groups 2 and 3 at least one fetus presented high-risk results in 26.5% and 11.6% of twin pairs, respectively. Only gestational age < 32 weeks, gestational diabetes mellitus, and spontaneous conception were associated with a high risk of NRM in Group 2. There was good concordance of the risk of NRM between twins < 30.0 weeks and > 34.0 weeks. From 30.0 to 33.6 weeks 26.5% of the twin pairs had discordant results, with moderate concordance of the risk of NRM.

Embarazo gemelar monocoriónico monoamniótico: Presentación de tres casos y revisión de la literatura / Monochorionic monoamniotic twin pregnancy: Three cases presented and review of the literature

Objetivo: realizar el reporte de casos de embarazo gemelar monocoriónico monoamniótico con entrecruzamiento de cordones y hacer una revisión de la literatura respecto al pronóstico de este tipo de gestación, seguimiento prenatal e intervenciones de manejo hasta su finalización. Materiales y métodos: se presenta el reporte de tres casos que ocurrieron en el Hospital Universitario del Valle, Cali, Colombia, centro de referencia de nivel III del suroccidente colombiano, el cual atiende población embarazada de alto riesgo obstétrico. Se desarrolló una búsqueda de la literatura en la base de datos Medline/Pubmed publicada en español e inglés durante el periodo comprendido entre enero de 1990 a mayo 2013. Se utilizaron los términos: “gemelos”, “gemelos monocigóticos”, “embarazo múltiple”, “embarazo gemelar”. Se incluyeron artículos de revisión, reporte de casos y estudios de corte transversal. Resultados: se revisaron 23 artículos de los cuales 5 correspondieron a artículos de revisión, 7 reportes de casos y 11 estudios de corte trasversal. La información acerca de las tasas de mortalidad, evaluación prenatal, seguimiento, manejo de las complicaciones, momento y modo del nacimiento en gemelos monoamnióticos es controversial. Conclusión: la gestación gemelar monocorial monoamniótica constituye un evento poco frecuente. Esta condición está asociada con múltiples complicaciones obstétricas que incluyen la muerte fetal relacionada con accidentes de los cordones umbilicales (entrecruzamientos). El objetivo del cuidado prenatal constituye la prevención de la mortalidad fetal, por lo que se sugiere la realización continua de pruebas de bienestar fetal. Se ha propuesto la terminación del embarazo en la semana 34 de gestación por operación cesárea, previa administración de esteroides.

Objective: To report cases of monochorionic monoamniotic twin pregnancy with cord entanglement, and conduct a review of the literature regarding the prognosis of this type of gestation, prenatal follow-up and management interventions through to delivery. Materials and methods: We report 3 cases that presented to Hospital Universitario del Valle, Cali, Colombia, a level III referral center in Southwestern Colombia that provides healthcare services to pregnant women with a high obstetric risk. We conducted a search in the literature in the Medline/ Pubmed database published in Spanish and English between January 1990 and May 2013. The terms used were “twins”, “monozygotic twins”, “multiple pregnancy”, “twin pregnancy”. Review articles, case reports and cross-sectional studies were included. Results: Overall, 23 articles were reviewed, including 5 review articles, 7 case reports and 11 cross-sectional studies. Information on mortality rates, pre-natal assessment, follow-up, management of complications, time and mode of birth in monoamniotic twins is controversial. Conclusion: Monochorial monoamniotic twin pregnancy is an infrequent event. This condition is associated with multiple obstetric complications, including fetal demise associated with umbilical cord accidents (entanglement). The goal of prenatal care is to prevent fetal death, hence the suggestion of continuous testing for fetal wellbeing. Termination of pregnancy has been proposed at week 34 of gestation through cesarean section after steroid administration.