Systematic review of pleural-amniotic shunt insertion vs. conservative management in isolated bilateral fetal hydrothorax without hydrops.

OBJECTIVE: In the management of bilateral fetal hydrothorax where the fetus is non-hydropic and apparently otherwise normal, we wished to determine if pleural-amniotic shunt insertion was better than conservative management in terms of mortality. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted between 1992 and 2017. Data extracted was inspected for heterogeneity. Where there was comparative data available, the odds ratio (OR) and confidence interval (CI) were calculated. RESULTS: Seven studies were included in this systematic review. There was a paucity of comparative data where only 2 studies (28 cases) allowed for direct comparison. Within the limitations of the study, there was no difference between shunt insertion vs. conservative management in terms of stillbirth or miscarriage (OR = 1.00, 95% CI 0.12-8.34, heterogeneity I2 = 0%, p = 1.00). CONCLUSION: There is insufficient data available to determine whether the outcome is improved by pleural-amniotic shunt insertion compared with conservative management in cases of bilateral fetal hydrothorax where the fetus is non-hydropic and otherwise normal.

Intervention versus a conservative approach in the management of TRAP sequence: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: In the management of twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence, we wished to (i) determine if intervention is better than a conservative approach and (ii) assess if any of the apparent adverse prognostic indicators could guide intervention. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted between 1994 and 2014. Data extracted were inspected for heterogeneity. Overall rates and confidence intervals (CIs) for each prognostic factor were calculated. Where there were comparative data, the odds ratio (OR) was calculated. RESULTS: Twenty-six studies were included in the review. When all cases were considered, intervention either by cord occlusion or by ablation conferred a better survival rate compared with conservative management (OR=2.22, 95% CI 1.23-4.01, heterogeneity I2=37%, P=0.008). This difference was greater in the presence of one or more poor prognostic features (OR=8.58, 95% CI 1.47-49.96, heterogeneity I2=0%, P=0.02). Survival was better using ablative techniques compared to cord occlusion (OR=9.84, 95% CI 1.56-62.00, heterogeneity I2=0%, P=0.01). CONCLUSION: Intervention either by cord occlusion or by ablation confers a better survival rate compared to conservative management. This appears more compelling if there are one or more poor prognostic features. Ablative techniques are superior to cord occlusion. There were insufficient data to determine which poor prognostic features should guide management.

Human chorionic gonadotrophin for threatened miscarriage.

BACKGROUND: Miscarriage is a common occurrence in early pregnancy. Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is secreted by the syncytiotrophoblast. It promotes the corpus luteum to secrete progesterone and helps in maintaining the pregnancy. Hence, there has been much interest in the use of hCG to treat threatened miscarriage. OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of human chorionic gonadotropins in the treatment of threatened miscarriage. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (February 2010), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2010, Issue 1), MEDLINE (1966 to 12 February 2010), EMBASE (1980 to 12 February 2010) and CINAHL (1989 to 12 February 2010). We also scanned the bibliographies of all located articles for any unidentified articles and attempted to contact authors where necessary. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that assess the effectiveness of hCG in the treatment of threatened miscarriage compared to placebo, no treatment of any other intervention, provided viability of the fetus has been confirmed by ultrasound before the commencement of treatment. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: At least two authors assessed the trials for inclusion in the review and extracted the data. MAIN RESULTS: Three studies (312 participants) were included in the review, one of which was of poor methodological quality. The meta-analysis showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of miscarriage between hCG and 'no hCG' (placebo or no treatment) groups (Risk ratio (RR) 0.66; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.42 to 1.05). When hCG and bed rest alone were compared, there was a significant reduction in the risk of miscarriage (RR 0.47; 95% CI 0.27 to 0.82). This result should be interpreted with caution, as one of the two trials from which this result is derived was of poor methodological quality. There was no report of adverse effects of hCG on mother or baby. More good quality RCTs are urgently needed to assess the effects of hCG in threatened miscarriage. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The current evidence does not support the routine use of hCG in the treatment of threatened miscarriage.

Prognosis of isolated mild to moderate fetal cerebral ventriculomegaly: a systematic review.

AIMS: To ascertain risk of aneuploidy, infection and neurological abnormality for the fetus diagnosed with isolated mild (10.1-12.0 mm) to moderate (12.1-15.0 mm) cerebral ventriculomegaly and to compare the neurological outcome between symmetrical vs. asymmetrical and stable vs. progressive ventriculomegaly. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted. Literature was identified by searching two bibliographical databases between 1980 and 2009 without language restrictions. The data extracted were inspected for heterogeneity. Overall rates and confidence intervals (CIs) for each prognostic factor were calculated. When comparative data existed, the odds ratio (OR) was calculated. RESULTS: The search strategy yielded 2150 relevant citations of which 28 studies were included in the review. The overall rate of infection and chromosomal abnormality was 1.5 and 5% (95% CI 3, 7), respectively. The risk of neurological abnormality regardless of karyotype or infection screen was 14% (95% CI 10, 18) and this reduced to 12% (95% CI 9, 15) when both chromosomes and infection screen were normal. The risk of neurological abnormality was significantly lower in stable compared to progressive ventriculomegaly [OR 0.29 (95% CI 0.15, 0.58)]. No significant differences were detected when symmetrical vs. asymmetrical ventriculomegaly were compared [OR 0.91 (95% CI 0.34, 2.41)]. CONCLUSION: This systematic review provides the physician with some estimates of prognosis in cases of isolated mild to moderate ventriculomegaly.