Association between fetal fraction on cell-free DNA testing and first-trimester markers for pre-eclampsia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between fetal fraction on cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing and first-trimester markers for pre-eclampsia, and to investigate the possible association of low fetal fraction with increased risks for pre-eclampsia (PE) and fetal growth restriction (FGR). METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study including all women with a singleton pregnancy who had risk calculation for PE and FGR between 11 + 0 and 13 + 6 weeks' gestation and who also had cfDNA as a primary or secondary screening test for chromosomal abnormalities at any gestational age at two fetal medicine clinics in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, between March 2013 and May 2017. Logarithmically transformed fetal fraction results were adjusted for gestational age and maternal characteristics. Associations with mean arterial pressure (MAP), mean uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA-PI), pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A), placental growth factor (PlGF), and risks for PE < 34 weeks, PE < 37 weeks and FGR < 37 weeks were analyzed using correlation analysis and univariable and multivariable linear regressions. RESULTS: In total, 4317 singleton pregnancies that underwent cfDNA testing with fetal fraction reported were included. Significant prediction of fetal fraction was provided by gestational age, conception by in-vitro fertilization, maternal age, body mass index, chronic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, South Asian ethnicity and being parous without history of PE or FGR. Fetal fraction was associated inversely with MAP and UtA-PI and associated positively with PAPP-A and PlGF. The lower the fetal fraction, the higher were the risks for PE < 34 weeks, PE < 37 weeks and FGR < 37 weeks (P < 0.001 for all). CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant association between fetal fraction result and first-trimester markers for adverse pregnancy outcome. Low fetal fraction is associated with an increased risk for pregnancy complication, but its capacity to act an as independent first-trimester marker in an algorithm for screening for PE and FGR requires further research. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Assessing quality standards in measurement of uterine artery pulsatility index at 11 to 13 + 6 weeks' gestation.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of audit and feedback on the performance of first-trimester uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA-PI) measurement, to determine whether operator experience affects performance and whether an operator's measurement profile affects the screen-positive rate for early-onset pre-eclampsia (PE). METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study in which UtA-PI measurements were collected between 11 to 13 + 6 weeks' gestation by 12 operators and were entered into individualized calculators to convert them to multiples of a locally-derived median (MoM). Individual sonographer cumulative sum (CUSUM) and target charts were generated to assess central tendency and dispersion to identify systematic measurement errors and deviation from expected measurement performance. Six of the operators received regular feedback whilst the remaining six received no feedback. Each group consisted of four experienced operators and two relatively inexperienced operators. The average MoM for each operator was compared with their respective screen-positive rates for early-onset PE. RESULTS: The group that received feedback performed better than that which received none, with results more closely matching the expected measurement distribution. UtA-PI measurements were comparable between the experienced and inexperienced sonographers (mean log10 lowest PI MoM, -0.0089 vs 0.0124, respectively); however the inexperienced sonographers had a higher overall screen-positive rate for early-onset PE (10.0% vs 2.7%, respectively). There was a significant positive correlation between the mean MoM for each operator and the screen-positive rate (r = 0.63). CONCLUSIONS: CUSUM and target graphs are an effective method of audit for first-trimester UtA-PI measurement. Feedback to operators resulted in improved measurement performance, which will ultimately result in improved screening accuracy for PE.

Construction of modern Australian first trimester ultrasound dating and growth charts.

Accurate pregnancy dating is vital to obstetric management. However, first trimester fetal charts commonly used in Australia rely on data reported more than three decades ago. This study reports first trimester dating and growth charts for crown-rump length between 5 and 14 weeks of gestation and biparietal diameter between 9 and 14 weeks of gestation on an Australia population using modern real-time ultrasound equipment. All consenting eligible women attending a large Sydney clinic for first trimester ultrasound between March 2005 and December 2006 were recruited. Measurements were carried out to Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine standard protocols. Statistical analyses were undertaken using polynomial regression models and thorough diagnostic checks made. Overall 396 eligible women consented to the study, with 268 between 9 and 14 weeks of gestation. The average participant age was 34 years (range 22-45 years), 371 and all yielded valid biometry measurements. Equations, means and 90% reference intervals for crown-rump length measurements and biparietal diameter measurements were derived using polynomial regression models. Thorough residual and diagnostic checks were made. Once validated by others, we believe they will warrant consideration for use by Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine.

Prenatal diagnosis of Blackfan-Diamond syndrome: case report and review of the literature.

A case of prenatally diagnosed autosomal dominant congenital hypoplastic anaemia (Blackfan-Diamond syndrome or Aase congenital anaemia) causing hydrops fetalis is presented. Recommendations for the prenatal management of Blackfan-Diamond syndrome (BDS) include prepregnancy counselling for parents with BDS, detailed and serial fetal ultrasonography and echocardiography, cordocentesis if there are signs of anaemia, consideration of in utero transfusions and planned early delivery if the fetus is affected.

Conservative management of pelvic abscess in recurrent pelvic inflammatory disease.

The recent incidence of acute-on-chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, with associated abscess formation, has dramatically increased. Recurrent abscess formation in chronic pelvic inflammatory disease that fails to respond to maximal antibiotic treatment has been traditionally treated by open surgical drainage, frequently accompanied by pelvic clearance.With the development of techniques associated with in vitro fertilization, treatment can now be effected allowing conservation of fertility. This paper describes 12 cases of ultrasound-directed transvaginal fine-needle aspiration of pelvic abscess. A positive outcome occurred in all patients, thus avoiding major surgery.