Is ventriculomegaly and hindbrain herniation seen before and after prenatal neural tube defect repair associated with a worse functional level than anatomical level at birth?

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the evaluation of the fetal ventricular system and hindbrain herniation (HBH) is associated with motor outcome at birth in prenatally repaired open neural tube defect (NTD). METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of 47 patients with NTD who underwent prenatal repair (17 fetoscopic; 30 open-hysterotomy). At referral and 6 weeks postoperatively, the degree of HBH, ventricular atrial widths and ventricular volume were evaluated by MRI. Head circumference and ventricular atrial widths were measured on ultrasound at referral and during the last ultrasound before delivery. Anatomic level of the lesion (LL) was determined based on the upper bony spinal defect detected by ultrasound. We considered the functional level as worse than anatomical level at birth when the motor level was equal or worse than the anatomical LL. RESULTS: 26% (12/47) of the cases showed worse functional level than anatomical level at birth. Having a HBH below C1 at the time of referral was associated with a worse functional level than anatomical level at birth (OR = 9.7, CI95 [2.2-42.8], p < 0.01). None of the other brain parameters showed a significant association with motor outcomes at birth. CONCLUSIONS: HBH below C1 before surgery was associated with a worse functional level than anatomical level at birth.

Evaluation and Disposition of Fetal Myelomeningocele Repair Candidates: A Large Referral Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Fetal myelomeningocele (fMMC) repair yields superior outcomes to postnatal repair and is increasingly offered at select fetal centers. OBJECTIVES: To report the fMMC referral process from initial referral to evaluation and surgical intervention in a large fetal referral center. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients referred to Texas Children's Fetal Center for fMMC between September 2013 and January 2018, reviewing the process from referral to final disposition. The stepwise evaluation included a phone interview followed by multidisciplinary consultation at our fetal center. We modified the Management of Myelomeningocele Study inclusion and exclusion criteria to allow a maternal body mass index of 35-40 on an individual basis. RESULTS: A total of 204 referrals were contacted for a phone interview; 175 (86%) pursued outpatient evaluation, and 80 (46%) of them qualified for repair. Among the eligible patients, 37 (46%) underwent fetoscopic repair, 20 (25%) underwent open repair, and 17 (21%) declined prenatal surgery. Of the 89 noneligible patients (53%) excluded upon outpatient evaluation, 64 (72%) were excluded for fetal and 17 (19%) for maternal reasons. No hindbrain herniation (16%) and maternal BMI and/or hypertension (5%) were the most common reasons for fetal and maternal exclusion, respectively. A total of 31% of our referral population underwent fetal surgery. CONCLUSIONS: A small percentage of fMMC referrals ultimately undergo prenatal surgery. Stepwise evaluation and multidisciplinary teams are key to the success of large referral programs.

Amniotic membrane and placental histopathological findings after open and fetoscopic prenatal neural tube defect repair.

OBJECTIVES: To describe and compare placental and amniotic histology in women who underwent a fetoscopic myelomeningocele repair to those who underwent an open hysterotomy myelomeningocele repair. Also, we intended to compare findings from both prenatal repair groups to age-matched control pregnant patients. METHODS: Placental and membrane histopathology from 43 prenatally repaired spina bifida cases (17 fetoscopic and 26 open) and 18 healthy controls were retrospectively assessed. Quantitative assessment of histopathology included apoptosis count and maternal and fetal underperfusion scores. Qualitative assessment included the detection of pigmented macrophages and/or signs of placental/amniotic inflammation. Associations between the duration of surgery or the duration of CO2 insufflation and quantitative histological parameters were tested. RESULTS: Fetoscopic surgery cases did not show significant differences in any of the studied parameters when compared against controls. No differences were detected either when compared with open repaired cases, except for lower proportion of pigmented laden macrophages in the fetoscopic group (11.8% vs 61.5%, P < 0.01). No associations between the duration of surgery or the duration of CO2 exposure and any of the quantitative histological parameters were detected. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results support the lack of detrimental effects of the use of heated and humidified CO2 gas for uterine insufflation to fetal membranes and placenta.

Clinical assessment and brain findings in a cohort of mothers, fetuses and infants infected with ZIKA virus.

BACKGROUND: Congenital Zika virus (ZIKV) infection can be detected in both the presence and absence of microcephaly and manifests as a number of signs and symptoms that are detected clinically and by neuroimaging. However, to date, qualitative and quantitative measures for the purpose of diagnosis and prognosis are limited. OBJECTIVES: Main objectives of this study conducted on fetuses and infants with confirmed congenital Zika virus infection and detected brain abnormalities were (1) to assess the prevalence of microcephaly and the frequency of the anomalies that include a detailed description based on ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging in fetuses and ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography imaging postnatally, (2) to provide quantitative measures of fetal and infant brain findings by magnetic resonance imaging with the use of volumetric analyses and diffusion-weighted imaging, and (3) to obtain additional information from placental and fetal histopathologic assessments and postnatal clinical evaluations. STUDY DESIGN: This is a longitudinal cohort study of Zika virus-infected pregnancies from a single institution in Colombia. Clinical and imaging findings of patients with laboratory-confirmed Zika virus infection and fetal brain anomalies were the focus of this study. Patients underwent monthly fetal ultrasound scans, neurosonography, and a fetal magnetic resonance imaging. Postnatally, infant brain assessment was offered by the use of ultrasound imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, and/or computed tomography. Fetal head circumference measurements were compared with different reference ranges with <2 or <3 standard deviations below the mean for the diagnosis of microcephaly. Fetal and infant magnetic resonance imaging images were processed to obtain a quantitative brain volumetric assessment. Diffusion weighted imaging sequences were processed to assess brain microstructure. Anthropometric, neurologic, auditory, and visual assessments were performed postnatally. Histopathologic assessment was included if patients opted for pregnancy termination. RESULTS: All women (n=214) had been referred for Zika virus symptoms during pregnancy that affected themselves or their partners or if fetal anomalies that are compatible with congenital Zika virus syndrome were detected. A total of 12 pregnant patients with laboratory confirmation of Zika virus infection were diagnosed with fetal brain malformations. Most common findings that were assessed by prenatal and postnatal imaging were brain volume loss (92%), calcifications (92%), callosal anomalies (100%), cortical malformations (89%), and ventriculomegaly (92%). Results from fetal brain volumetric assessment by magnetic resonance imaging showed that 1 of the most common findings associated with microcephaly was reduced supratentorial brain parenchyma and increased subarachnoid cerebrospinal fluid. Diffusion weighted imaging analyses of apparent diffusion coefficient values showed microstructural changes. Microcephaly was present in 33.3-58.3% of the cases at referral and was present at delivery in 55.6-77.8% of cases. At birth, most of the affected neonates (55.6-77.8%) had head circumference measurements >3 standard deviations below the mean. Postnatal imaging studies confirmed brain malformations that were detected prenatally. Auditory screening results were normal in 2 cases that were assessed. Visual screening showed different anomalies in 2 of the 3 cases that were examined. Pathologic results that were obtained from 2 of the 3 cases who opted for termination showed similar signs of abnormalities in the central nervous system and placental analyses, including brain microcalcifications. CONCLUSION: Congenital microcephaly is not an optimal screening method for congenital Zika virus syndrome, because it may not accompany other evident and preceding brain findings; microcephaly could be an endpoint of the disease that results from progressive changes that are related to brain volume loss. Long-term studies are needed to understand the clinical and developmental relevance of these findings.

Contemporary Modalities to Image the Fetal Brain.

Fetal brain ultrasound remains as the mainstay for screening fetal intracranial anatomy. One of its main advantages is the availability of 3 dimensional and other ultrasound modalities for a better understanding of fetal neurodevelopment. Neurosonography is performed when findings, suggestive of an abnormality, are present on a screening ultrasound or if a high-risk situation of brain injury is present. This technique offers the use of complementary imaging planes, axial, coronal and sagittal, and the ability to image intracranial anatomy from the transabdominal and transvaginal approaches. Fetal brain magnetic resonance imaging is more sensitive than ultrasound. As an adjunctive imaging modality, magnetic resonance imaging offers additional sequences to complete the information on neurodevelopment from different perspectives, such as brain metabolism, microstructure, and connectivity.

Serial Head and Brain Imaging of 17 Fetuses With Confirmed Zika Virus Infection in Colombia, South America.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate fetal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging findings among a series of pregnant women with confirmed Zika virus infection to evaluate the signs of congenital Zika syndrome with respect to timing of infection. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective case series of pregnant women referred to two perinatal clinics in Barranquilla and Ibagué, Colombia, who had findings consistent with congenital Zika syndrome and Zika virus infection confirmed in maternal, fetal, or neonatal samples. Serial ultrasound measurements, fetal magnetic resonance imaging results, laboratory results, and perinatal outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: We describe 17 cases of confirmed prenatal maternal Zika virus infection with adverse fetal outcomes. Among the 14 symptomatic women, the median gestational age for maternal Zika virus symptoms was 10 weeks (range 7-14 weeks of gestation). The median time between Zika virus symptom onset and microcephaly (head circumference less than 3 standard deviations below the mean) was 18 weeks (range 15-24 weeks). The earliest fetal head circumference measurement consistent with microcephaly diagnosis was at 24 weeks of gestation. The earliest sign of congenital Zika syndrome was talipes equinovarus, which in two patients was noted first at 19 weeks of gestation. Common findings on fetal magnetic resonance imaging were microcephaly, ventriculomegaly, polymicrogyria, and calcifications. CONCLUSION: Our analysis suggests a period of at least 15 weeks between maternal Zika virus infection in pregnancy and development of microcephaly and highlights the importance of serial and detailed neuroimaging.

Oxidative stress biomarkers in endometrial secretions: A comparison between successful and unsuccessful in vitro fertilization cycles.

A potential role of oxidative stress has been implicated in the outcome of various steps of assisted reproductive technology (ART). In a prospective cohort study, a total of 100 patients undergoing IVF/ICSI procedure due to male factor infertility were recruited based on the inclusion criteria. In all patients, 1-2ml of endometrial secretions was aspirated prior to embryo transfer. The oxidative stress markers in endometrial secretions, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activities, lipid peroxidation (LPO), total thiol groups (TTG), and total antioxidant power (TAP) were investigated and compared among study groups including term pregnancy, failed IVF cycle, and miscarriage. P<0.05 was considered statistically different. Of the 100 patients, 28 cases (28%) resulted in ongoing pregnancy (biochemical pregnancy followed by clinical pregnancy), 11 cases (11%) resulted in miscarriage, and 61 cases (61%), resulted in failed IVF cycle. SOD, LPO, CAT, and TAP levels in the endometrial secretions of the three groups were statistically different (P-value <0.01, <0.001, <0.001, and <0.001, respectively). TTG levels in endometrial secretion of three groups were not statistically different (P-value=0.837). Our results indicated that higher levels of antioxidants such as SOD, CAT, or TAP, and lower levels of oxidative stress markers such as LPO in the endometrial secretions were associated with successful IVF outcome.

Síndrome metabólico durante el embarazo: complicaciones materno-fetales / Metabolic syndrome during pregnancy: maternal and fetal complications

Determinar la asociación entre el síndrome metabólico y las complicaciones maternas, fetales y neonatales, en un grupo de embarazadas entre agosto 2008 y septiembre 2009.En el Servicio Prenatal de la Maternidad “Concepción Palacios”. Estudio prospectivo, longitudinal, comparativo, con una muestra de 130 embarazadas, 38 cumplieron los criterios de la Federación Internacional de Diabetes para síndrome metabólico y 92 fueron el grupo control. El promedio de edad de las pacientes con síndrome 29,86 años, significativamente mayor que el del grupo control (24,11 años). Entre las gestantes con síndrome metabólico 34,2 por ciento presentó trastornos hipertensivos del embarazo, 23,7 por ciento tuvieron diabetes, 26,3 por ciento parto pretérmino y 2,6 por ciento infección puerperal. En el grupo control hubo 13,0 por ciento de trastornos hipertensivos del embarazo 6,6 por ciento de parto pretérmino y ningún caso de diabetes o infección puerperal (P< 0,05). La complicación fetal más frecuente fue la macrosomía, 10,5 por ciento de las gestantes con síndrome metabólico y 4,3 por ciento del grupo control (P>0,05). Hubo 23,7 por ciento de casos con bajo peso al nacer, 18,4 por ciento con hipoglicemia y 10,5 por ciento con sepsis en el grupo de recién nacidos de madres con sindrome metabólico. Este estudio mostró una mayor tasa de complicaciones maternas y neonatales en embarazadas con síndrome metabólico, en comparación con el grupo control

To determine the association between metabolic syndrome and maternal complications, fetal and neonatal in a group of pregnant patients between August 2008 and September 2009. Prenatal care service at the “Concepcion Palacios” Maternity. A prospective, longitudinal, comparative study with a sample of 130 pregnant women was done, from which 38 patients met the International Diabetes Federation metabolic syndrome criteria and 92 patients were part of the control group. The mean age of the patients with metabolic syndrome was 29.86 years, and the control group was 24.11 years. Among pregnant women with metabolic syndrome, 34.2 percent showed hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, 23.7 percent had diabetes, 26.3 percent were preterm delivery and 2.6 percent had preterm puerperal infection. In the control group there were 13.0 percent hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, 6.6 percent preterm deliveries and no cases of diabetes or puerperal infection (P <0.05) were reported. The most frequent complication was fetal macrosomia, with 10.5 percent of cases in pregnant women with metabolic syndrome and 4.3 percent in the control group (P> 0.05). There were 23.7 percent of cases with low birth weight, hypoglycemia 18.4 percent and 10.5 percent with sepsis in the group of infants from mothers with metabolic syndrome. This study showed a higher rate of maternal and neonatal complications in pregnant women with metabolic syndrome compared with the control group

Evaluación nutricional de la población menor de 18 años de la comunidad rural del Limón parroquia Carayaca estado Vargas / Nutritional assessment of the population under 18 years of the rural community of Limón Carayaca parish Vargas

La malnutrición es un problema de Salud Pública en Venezuela por su elevada magnitud, trascendencia, potencial de impacto y vulnerabilidad; su estudio en nuestra población es de gran importancia, y en especial, en la población rural, ya que esta se encuentra al margen de la atención del Sistema Nacional de Salud. Se realizó un estudio analítico de observación de tipo transversal, donde se tomó una muestra no probabilística de tipo aleatoria de 179 individuos de la localidad rural del Limón - estado Vargas, durante los meses Enero - Marzo 2005. Sobre la cual se realizó la evaluación antropométrica y el diagnóstico nutricional de la misma. En la presente investigación observamos que el 7,89 por ciento (14) de la población menor de 18 años presenta sobrepeso, el 59,77 por ciento (107) se encuentra con diagnóstico nutricional normal, el 3,35 por ciento (6) con desnutrición aguda y el 29,05 por ciento (52) con desnutrición crónica. El 32,40 por ciento (58) presenta desnutrición, mientras que el 40,29 por ciento (62) de la población objeto de estudio presenta malnutrición. El Limón presenta una elevada prevalencia de desnutrición aguda y crónica al comparar los resultados obtenidos con los valores observados en América Latina, en donde tenemos que el retardo del crecimiento es de un 9.3 por ciento y la emaciación es de 2.9 por ciento (5). También observamos que las cifras obtenidas se encuentran por encima de las estadísticas nacionales de desnutrición global menores de 2 años (11,7 por ciento), de 2 a 6 años (22,4 por ciento) y de 7 a 14 años (24,4 por ciento) (6). En la investigación realizada detectamos que casi la mitad de la población menor de 18 años de la comunidad rural del Limón presenta alguna clase de malnutrición, ya sea por déficit o por exceso.