Outcome of fetal echogenic bowel: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The main aim of this systematic review was to explore the outcome of fetuses with isolated echogenic bowel (EB) on antenatal ultrasound. Inclusion criteria were singleton pregnancies with isolated EB no associated major structural anomalies at the time of diagnosis. The outcomes observed were: chromosomal anomalies, cystic fibrosis (CF), associated structural anomalies detected only at follow-up scans and at birth, regression during pregnancy, congenital infections, intra-uterine (IUD), neonatal (NND) and perinatal (PND) death. Twenty-five studies (12 971 fetuses) were included. Chromosomal anomalies occurred in 3.3% of the fetuses, mainly Trisomy 21 and aneuploidies involving the sex chromosomes. Cystic fibrosis occurred in 2.2%. Congenital infections affected 2.2%, mainly congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. The majority of fetuses with EB experienced regression or disappearance of the EB at follow-up scans. Associated anomalies were detected at a follow-up scan in 1.8%. Associated anomalies were detected at birth and missed at ultrasound in 2.1% of cases. IUD occurred in 3.2% of cases while the corresponding figures for NND and PND were 0.4% and 3.1%. Fetuses with EB are at increased risk of adverse perinatal outcome, highlighting the need for a thorough antenatal management and postnatal follow-up. Assessment during pregnancy and after birth should be performed in order to look for signs of fetal aneuploidy, congenital infections and associated structural anomalies.

Prenatal imaging features and postnatal outcomes of isolated fetal duplex renal collecting system: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To perform a systematic review of studies reporting the outcome of fetuses with a prenatal diagnosis of isolated duplex collecting system (DCS). METHODS: Inclusion criteria were studies reporting the outcome of fetuses with a prenatal diagnosis of isolated DCS, defined as DCS not associated with other major structural anomalies at the time of diagnosis. The outcomes observed were: imaging features of DCS on prenatal ultrasound, associated anomalies detected exclusively at prenatal follow-up ultrasound and at birth, abnormal karyotype, symptoms at birth (including vesicoureteral reflux [VUR] and urinary tract infections [UTI]), need for and type of surgical approach, complications after surgery, and accuracy of prenatal ultrasound in correctly identifying this anomaly. RESULTS: Eleven studies (284 fetuses with a prenatal diagnosis of DCS) were included. On ultrasound, DCS was associated with ureterocele in 70.7% and with megaureter in 36.6% of cases. Worsening of pelvic/ureteric dilatation was reported to occur in 41.3% of fetuses. At birth, 4.3% of fetuses affected by DCS showed associated renal anomalies. After birth, VUR and UTI presented in 51.3% and 21.7% of children respectively, while 33.6% required surgery. Prenatal diagnosis of DCS was confirmed in 90.9% of included cases. CONCLUSION: DCS diagnosed prenatally is associated with a generally good outcome. Prenatal ultrasound has a good diagnostic accuracy, while detailed postnatal assessment is required in order to identify associated renal anomalies.

Levothyroxine Supplementation in Euthyroid Pregnant Women With Positive Autoantibodies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the role of levothyroxine (LT4) supplementation in affecting the outcome of pregnant euthyroid women with thyroperoxidase (TPO) antibodies. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and the Web of Science databases were searched. The primary outcome was pre-term birth (PTB), defined as live birth before 37 weeks of gestation; secondary outcomes were gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia (PE), placental abruption, miscarriage, intra-uterine death (IUD), and admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). All these outcomes were explored in euthyroid women with TPO antibodies receiving compared to those not receiving LT4 supplementation in pregnancy. Random-effect meta-analyses were used to analyze the data and results reported as pooled odds ratios (OR) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: The risk of PTB was lower in women with TPO antibodies receiving compared to those not receiving LT4 supplementation (OR of 0.60 (95% CI 0.4-0.9). However, this association came mainly from observational studies (OR: 0.29, 95% CI 0.1-0), while RCTs did not show any beneficial effect of LT4 supplementation in affecting such outcomes. Conversely, there was no difference in the risk of gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, placental abruption, miscarriage, and admission to NICU between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: LT4 supplementation in TPO euthyroid women is not associated with a reduced risk of PTB in TPO-positive women with normal thyroid function.