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1.
Tijdschr Psychiatr ; 64(5): 323-326, 2022.
Article in Dutch | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35735045

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Genetic studies have found large numbers of genetic risk variants that increase the risk to develop neuropsychiatric disorders. AIM: We aim to explain how to investigate the effects of these genetic risk variants on the expression of genes and whether this plays a potential role in neuropsychiatric disorders. METHOD: We describe the main findings of a study that we recently performed to study the association between genetic risk factors for neuropsychiatric disorders and gene expression in microglia, the immune cells of the brain. RESULTS: Part of the risk variants for neuropsychiatric disorders could be related to gene expression in microglia. These
associations were particularly strong for neurodegenerative disorders. CONCLUSION: Our study provided more insight into how genetic risk to neuropsychiatric disorders is related to gene expression in microglia. These findings show suggestions for potential new treatment options.


Subject(s)
Brain , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Humans , Risk Factors
2.
Ned Tijdschr Tandheelkd ; 128(9): 429-433, 2021 Sep.
Article in Dutch | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34490767

ABSTRACT

A 41-year-old woman, who was referred with a reddish purple like lesion on the left side of the tongue, appeared to have an angiokeratoma after histopathological examination. Because of the benign character of this lesion and the absence of any complaints, no adjuvant treatment after excisional biopsy was indicated. Angiokeratomas rarely appear as solitary oral lesions. More often they are seen as part of an underlying systemic disease, mostly Fabry disease. Due to widespread skin involvement of angiokeratomas with Fabry disease, referral to a dermatologist is indicated when oral lesions are encountered. Esthetically unpleasing or painful angiokeratomas can be locally excised or treated by laser- or cryotherapy.


Subject(s)
Angiokeratoma , Skin Neoplasms , Adult , Angiokeratoma/diagnosis , Biopsy , Female , Humans , Skin Neoplasms/diagnosis , Tongue
3.
Fetal Diagn Ther ; 45(1): 42-49, 2019.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29533928

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to assess charts proposed for international use in the Intergrowth-21st Project. METHODS: Ultrasound data were collected from 43,923 healthy singleton pregnancies examined at 18-23 weeks of gestation in the Netherlands. Fetal measurements were converted into Z-scores using previous and current Dutch reference charts and Intergrowth charts. The distributions of the Z-scores were compared with the expected standard normal distribution. RESULTS: In the Dutch population, Intergrowth curves perform well for head circumference and biparietal diameter, but not for abdominal circumference (AC, Z- score = 0.43) and femur length (FL, Z-score = 0.26). Similar findings have been reported in other European countries. Compared with the population in the Intergrowth study, Dutch women are relatively tall (170 vs. 162 cm) and sturdy (67 vs. 61 kg) with a moderately high BMI. Maternal size, in particular maternal height, is positively correlated with birthweight. CONCLUSIONS: Whilst the establishment of the Intergrowth charts is an important step towards worldwide uniformity, for now locally derived charts still perform better, especially for AC and FL. Results from our validation study indicate that distinction between normal and pathologically small babies may be improved by taking maternal size into account.


Subject(s)
Cephalometry/methods , Fetus/diagnostic imaging , Pregnancy Trimester, Second , Ultrasonography, Prenatal/methods , Abdomen/diagnostic imaging , Abdomen/growth & development , Birth Weight , Cephalometry/standards , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Femur/diagnostic imaging , Femur/growth & development , Fetal Development , Gestational Age , Head/diagnostic imaging , Head/growth & development , Humans , Netherlands , Predictive Value of Tests , Pregnancy , Prospective Studies , Reference Standards , Reproducibility of Results , Ultrasonography, Prenatal/standards
4.
Strategies Trauma Limb Reconstr ; 12(3): 133-139, 2017 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28593358

ABSTRACT

External fixation of the elbow requires identification of the elbow rotation axis, but the accuracy of traditional landmarks (capitellum and trochlea) on fluoroscopy is limited. The relative distance (RD) of the humerus may be helpful as additional landmark. The first aim of this study was to determine the optimal RD that corresponds to an on-axis lateral image of the elbow. The second aim was to assess whether the use of the optimal RD improves the surgical accuracy to identify the elbow rotation axis on fluoroscopy. CT scans of elbows from five volunteers were used to simulate fluoroscopy; the actual rotation axis was calculated with CT-based flexion-extension analysis. First, three observers measured the optimal RD on simulated fluoroscopy. The RD is defined as the distance between the dorsal part of the humerus and the projection of the posteromedial cortex of the distal humerus, divided by the anteroposterior diameter of the humerus. Second, eight trauma surgeons assessed the elbow rotation axis on simulated fluoroscopy. In a preteaching session, surgeons used traditional landmarks. The surgeons were then instructed how to use the optimal RD as additional landmark in a postteaching session. The deviation from the actual rotation axis was expressed as rotational and translational error (±SD). Measurement of the RD was robust and easily reproducible; the optimal RD was 45%. The surgeons identified the elbow rotation axis with a mean rotational error decreasing from 7.6° ± 3.4° to 6.7° ± 3.3° after teaching how to use the RD. The mean translational error decreased from 4.2 ± 2.0 to 3.7 ± 2.0 mm after teaching. The humeral RD as additional landmark yielded small but relevant improvements. Although fluoroscopy-based external fixator alignment to the elbow remains prone to error, it is recommended to use the RD as additional landmark.

5.
Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol ; 48(4): 458-463, 2016 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26663260

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine the accuracy and timing of diagnosis of fetal cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL ± P) in the years following the introduction of a national screening program, and to assess the completeness and accuracy of information in The Netherlands Perinatal Registry. METHODS: A list was obtained of cases with a prenatal or postnatal diagnosis of CL ± P from two fetal medicine units between 2008 and 2012. All cases of CL ± P were included irrespective of the presence or absence of additional anomalies. Cases were included if the estimated date of delivery was between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2012. RESULTS: During the study period, 330 cases of CL ± P were identified, with a prevalence of 15 per 10 000 pregnancies. The number of cases that were detected before 24 weeks' gestation increased during the study period, while the rate of termination of pregnancy did not change significantly (P = 0.511). CL ± P was isolated in 217 (66%) cases and karyotype was abnormal in 69 (21%) cases. In 5% of the cases in which CL ± P seemed to be isolated during the 18-23-week anomaly scan, postnatal array comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) revealed an abnormal karyotype and 50% of these cases had major additional anomalies. Examination of data from The Netherlands Perinatal Registry demonstrated that in 37% of cases CL±P was not recorded in the pregnancy records. CONCLUSION: CL ± P is increasingly being diagnosed prenatally, without a significant effect on the rate of pregnancy termination. Further improvement in the diagnostic accuracy may be achieved by advocating prenatal array-CGH to reduce the frequency of unexpected anomalies being diagnosed after birth. It is important that healthcare providers register accurately the presence or absence of anomalies in the birth records to ensure that, in the future, data from The Netherlands Perinatal Registry can be relied upon to monitor prevalence. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.


Subject(s)
Cleft Lip/diagnosis , Cleft Lip/epidemiology , Cleft Palate/diagnosis , Cleft Palate/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Comparative Genomic Hybridization , Female , Humans , Netherlands/epidemiology , Pregnancy , Prenatal Diagnosis/statistics & numerical data , Prevalence , Young Adult
6.
Prenat Diagn ; 35(5): 483-5, 2015 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25613559

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to assess the gestational age at detection and prevalence of anencephaly in the North of The Netherlands over a 5-year period. METHODS: A case list of all cases of anencephaly from two fetal medicine units was compiled. Cases were included if the estimated due date was between 1 August 2008 and 31 July 2013. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of anencephaly was 5.4 per 10.000 pregnancies (n = 110). The majority of cases (69%) was detected before 18 weeks' gestation. Factors determining successful early diagnosis were competence level of the sonographers, with a significantly higher detection rate when scans were performed by a sonographer licensed by the Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) for nuchal translucency measurement (p = 0.001), and gestational age at or beyond 11 weeks of gestation (p = 0.024). CONCLUSION: Improving detection of anencephaly in the first trimester requires ultrasound screening at or after 11 weeks of gestation, performed by experienced sonographers trained in recognizing fetal anomalies. Sonographers should be instructed that the goal of the first trimester scan is not only to measure nuchal translucency thickness but also to exclude major anomalies.


Subject(s)
Anencephaly/diagnostic imaging , Gestational Age , Anencephaly/epidemiology , Clinical Competence , Early Diagnosis , Female , Humans , Netherlands/epidemiology , Nuchal Translucency Measurement , Pregnancy , Prevalence , Prospective Studies , Time Factors , Ultrasonography, Prenatal
7.
Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol ; 44(1): 58-63, 2014 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24443357

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate in a population-based cohort the effect of the introduction of the 20-week ultrasound scan in 2007 on the time of diagnosis, pregnancy outcome and total prevalence and liveborn prevalence of cases with selected congenital heart defects (CHDs) in The Netherlands. METHODS: We included children and fetuses diagnosed with selected severe CHD, born in the 11-year period from 2001 to 2011. Two groups of CHD were defined: those associated with an abnormal four-chamber view at ultrasound (Group 1), and those associated with a normal four-chamber view at ultrasound (Group 2). The time of diagnosis, pregnancy outcome and total liveborn prevalence were compared for both groups over two 5-year periods, before and after the introduction of the 20-week ultrasound scan. Trends in total and liveborn prevalence were examined over 2001 to 2011. RESULTS: Information was collected on 269 children and fetuses. After the introduction of the 20-week ultrasound scan, the prenatal detection rate of CHDs increased in both groups (Group 1, 34.6% in 2001-2005 vs 84.8% in 2007-2011 (P < 0.001); Group 2, 14.3% in 2001-2005 vs 29.6% in 2007-2011 (P = 0.037)). The rate of termination of pregnancy (TOP) increased significantly only for Group 1 (15.4% vs 51.5% (P < 0.001)). The total prevalence of CHD in Group 1 increased over time from 2.9 per 10 000 births in 2001 to 6.4 per 10 000 births in 2011 (P = 0.016). The liveborn prevalence did not show a trend over time. For Group 2, no trends in total or liveborn prevalence could be detected over time. CONCLUSIONS: Since the implementation of the routine 20-week ultrasound scan in The Netherlands, prenatal detection rate of selected severe CHDs increased significantly. Improved prenatal detection was accompanied by a more than three-fold increase in TOP, although only in those CHDs with an abnormal four-chamber view at prenatal ultrasound.


Subject(s)
Abortion, Eugenic/statistics & numerical data , Fetal Death/etiology , Heart Defects, Congenital/diagnostic imaging , Ultrasonography, Prenatal/methods , Cohort Studies , Female , Heart Defects, Congenital/epidemiology , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Netherlands/epidemiology , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Trimester, Second , Prevalence , Retrospective Studies , Severity of Illness Index
8.
Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol ; 43(5): 553-6, 2014 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23828717

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of introduction of the mid-trimester scan on pregnancy outcome in cases of open spina bifida in two regions of The Netherlands. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of 190 cases of open spina bifida diagnosed pre- or postnatally, with an estimated date of delivery between 2003 and 2011. RESULTS: With implementation of the mid-trimester scan the percentage of cases of open spina bifida detected before the 24(th) week of pregnancy increased from 43% to 88%. The rise in prenatal detection rate was associated with a significant increase in the number of terminated pregnancies and a decrease in the rate of perinatal loss; the percentage of children born alive did not change significantly. In the subgroup that underwent a scan between 18 and 24 weeks of pregnancy, cranial signs were present in 94.4% of cases. CONCLUSION: Introduction of the mid-trimester scan has led to an increase in early identification of pregnancies complicated by open spina bifida. Pregnancies previously destined to end in perinatal loss are now terminated whilst pregnancies with a relatively good prognosis are frequently continued; the number of children with open spina bifida who are born alive has not changed significantly. Our study confirms that prenatal diagnosis is usually triggered by visualization of a lemon-shaped skull or a banana-shaped cerebellum.


Subject(s)
Lumbosacral Region/diagnostic imaging , Skull/diagnostic imaging , Spina Bifida Cystica/diagnostic imaging , Ultrasonography, Prenatal , Abortion, Induced/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Female , Gestational Age , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Lumbosacral Region/abnormalities , Lumbosacral Region/embryology , Mass Screening , Netherlands , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Outcome , Retrospective Studies , Sensitivity and Specificity , Skull/abnormalities , Skull/embryology , Spina Bifida Cystica/embryology
9.
Prenat Diagn ; 34(2): 103-8, 2014 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24155168

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of the first trimester screening variables nuchal translucency (NT), pregnancy associated plasma protein (PAPP-A), and free beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (ßhCG) and birth weight, with a focus on the prediction of macrosomia. METHODS: The database of our Fetal Medicine Unit was searched for all singleton pregnancies, who underwent first trimester Down syndrome screening. Live born infants born at term without chromosomal or structural defects from non-diabetic mothers constituted the study population. Birth weight percentiles were corrected for gestational age at delivery, parity, and gender. Macrosomia was defined as birth weight ≥95th centile. RESULTS: We included 6503 fetuses. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that birth weight centile was positively correlated with NT multiples of the median (MoM), PAPP-A MoM, and maternal body mass index, and it was negatively correlated with smoking. An NT ≥95th centile was present in 315 fetuses (4.8%). Although median birth weight centile was not significantly different between cases with NT ≥95th centile and those <95th (P54 vs P52), a birth weight >95th centile was more common (11% vs 7%) in the presence of NT ≥95th centile. Pregnancy associated plasma protein was elevated (≥95th centile) in 303 cases (7.9%). Median birth weight was higher (P56 vs P51, P = 0.03) in case of elevated PAPP-A compared with PAPP-A <95th centile. There was a trend toward higher macrosomia rate in case of PAPP-A ≥95th centile (7.4% vs 6.3%, P = 0.07). Area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve for the prediction of macrosomia (birth weight ≥95th centile) by NT MoM, PAPP-A MoM, maternal body mass index, and maternal smoking was 0.64 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: First trimester PAPP-A MoM and NT MoM are significantly related to birth weight centiles. Enlarged NT is associated with macrosomia.


Subject(s)
Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human/blood , Fetal Macrosomia/diagnostic imaging , Nuchal Translucency Measurement , Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A/metabolism , Adult , Body Mass Index , Female , Fetal Macrosomia/blood , Fetal Macrosomia/epidemiology , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Male , Multivariate Analysis , Overweight/epidemiology , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications/epidemiology , Pregnancy Trimester, First , Retrospective Studies , Smoking/epidemiology
10.
J Oral Rehabil ; 40(10): 774-9, 2013 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23981012

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to assess the primary stability of dental implants by resonance frequency analysis (RFA) using the Osstell™ and Osstell Mentor™ devices and to investigate the reproducibility and comparability of the results obtained with these devices. Twenty-four Straumann implants (Straumann AG, Basel, Switzerland) were placed in the anterior mandible of 12 fresh edentulous human cadaver mandibles. The implant stability quotients (ISQs) were measured with the Osstell™ and Osstell Mentor™ when implants were inserted at 50% of their length and following their complete insertion. The Osstell™ device measured lower scores compared with the Osstell Mentor™. This was significant for the full position (mean difference = 9·9), t (11) = 7·4, P < 0·001 and for the halfway position (mean difference = 5·9), t (11) = 2·41, P = 0·03. In conclusion, the Osstell™ produced relatively lower ISQ scores than the Osstell Mentor™.


Subject(s)
Dental Implantation, Endosseous/standards , Dental Implants/standards , Dental Prosthesis Design/standards , Dental Prosthesis Retention/standards , Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported/standards , Mandible/surgery , Cadaver , Dental Implantation, Endosseous/instrumentation , Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported/instrumentation , Humans , Reproducibility of Results , Treatment Outcome , Vibration/adverse effects
11.
Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol ; 42(6): 622-8, 2013 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23775879

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To review the available literature on outcome of pregnancy when an isolated single umbilical artery (iSUA) is diagnosed at the time of the mid-trimester anomaly scan. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE (1948-2012), EMBASE (1980-2012) and the Cochrane Library (until 2012) for relevant citations reporting on outcome of pregnancy with iSUA seen on ultrasound. Data were extracted by two reviewers. Where appropriate, we pooled odds ratios (ORs) for the dichotomous outcome measures: small for gestational age (SGA), perinatal mortality and aneuploidy. For birth weight we determined the mean difference with 95% CI. RESULTS: We identified three cohort studies and four case-control studies reporting on 928 pregnancies with iSUA. There was significant heterogeneity between cohort and case-control studies. Compared to fetuses with a three-vessel cord, fetuses with an iSUA were more likely to be SGA (OR 1.6 (95% CI, 0.97-2.6); n = 489) or suffer perinatal mortality (OR 2.0 (95% CI, 0.9-4.2); n = 686), although for neither of the outcomes was statistical significance reached. The difference in mean birth weight was 51 g (95% CI, -154.7 to 52.6 g): n = 407), but again this difference was not statistically significant. We found no evidence that fetuses with iSUA have an increased risk for aneuploidy. CONCLUSION: In view of the non-significant association between iSUA and fetal growth and perinatal mortality, and in view of the heterogeneity in studies on aneuploidy, we feel that large-scale, prospective cohort studies are needed to reach definitive conclusions on the appropriate work-up in iSUA pregnancies. At present, targeted growth assessment after diagnosis of iSUA should not be routine practice.


Subject(s)
Birth Weight , Fetal Growth Retardation/epidemiology , Perinatal Mortality , Single Umbilical Artery/epidemiology , Aneuploidy , Female , Fetal Development , Humans , Infant, Low Birth Weight , Infant, Newborn , Infant, Small for Gestational Age , Odds Ratio , Pregnancy , Risk , Single Umbilical Artery/diagnostic imaging , Ultrasonography, Prenatal
13.
Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol ; 31(4): 388-96, 2008 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18348183

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Correct assessment of gestational age and fetal growth is essential for optimal obstetric management. The objectives of this study were, first, to develop charts for ultrasound dating of pregnancy based on crown-rump length and biparietal diameter and, second, to derive reference curves for normal fetal growth based on biparietal diameter, head circumference, transverse cerebellar diameter, abdominal circumference and femur length from 10 weeks of gestational age onwards. METHODS: A total of 8313 pregnant women were included for analysis in this population-based prospective cohort study. All women had repeated ultrasound assessments to examine fetal growth. RESULTS: Charts for ultrasound dating of pregnancy, based on crown-rump length and biparietal diameter, were derived. Internal validation with the actual date of delivery showed that ultrasound imaging provided reliable gestational age estimates. Up to 92% of deliveries took place within 37-42 weeks of gestation if gestational age was derived from ultrasound data, compared with 87% based on a reliable last menstrual period. The earlier the ultrasound assessment the more accurate the prediction of date of delivery. After 24 weeks of gestation a reliable last menstrual period provided better estimates of gestational age. Reference curves for normal fetal growth from 10 weeks of gestational age onwards were derived. CONCLUSIONS: Charts for ultrasound dating of pregnancy and reference curves for fetal biometry are presented. The results indicate that, up to 24 weeks of pregnancy, dating by ultrasound examination provides a better prediction of the date of delivery than does last menstrual period. The earlier the ultrasound assessment in pregnancy, preferably between 10 and 12 weeks, the better the estimate of gestational age.


Subject(s)
Fetal Development , Gestational Age , Ultrasonography, Prenatal/methods , Abdomen/diagnostic imaging , Abdomen/embryology , Adult , Cerebellum/diagnostic imaging , Cerebellum/embryology , Crown-Rump Length , Female , Fetus/anatomy & histology , Head/diagnostic imaging , Head/embryology , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Pregnancy , Prospective Studies , Reference Values
15.
Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol ; 26(2): 115-22, 2005 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16038011

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to determine ethnic differences in prenatal growth and to examine their association with differences in maternal and fetal characteristics such as maternal height, weight, age, parity and fetal gender. METHODS: A total of 1494 women from Rotterdam, The Netherlands, with a low-risk pregnancy who participated in a population-based cohort study, the Generation R Study, were offered three ultrasound examinations during pregnancy. Multilevel modeling was applied to determine ethnic differences in (estimated) fetal weight (including birth weight) and in the separate biometric variables that were used to calculate the estimated fetal weight (abdominal circumference, head circumference and femur length). Additionally the association of ethnic differences with maternal and fetal characteristics (i.e. maternal weight, height, age, parity and fetal gender) was studied. RESULTS: Turkish, Cape Verdian, Surinamese-Creole and Surinamese-Hindustani women had on average smaller fetuses than the native Dutch women. The differences became more pronounced towards term. In the Turkish group the differences were no longer statistically significant when adjusted for maternal weight, height, age, parity and fetal gender. In the Cape Verdian, Surinamese-Creole and Surinamese-Hindustani groups the differences decreased after adjustment (31%, 16% and 39%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that there are ethnic differences in fetal growth, which to a large extent may be attributed to differences in maternal weight, height, age and parity. For some ethnic groups, however, additional factors are involved, as differences remain significant after correction for fetal and maternal characteristics.


Subject(s)
Ethnicity , Fetal Development/physiology , Anthropometry/methods , Body Height , Body Weight , Female , Fetal Weight/ethnology , Gestational Age , Humans , Maternal Age , Parity , Pregnancy , Prospective Studies , Ultrasonography, Prenatal/methods
16.
Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol ; 19(4): 353-9, 2002 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11952964

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To describe the process of training for measuring nuchal translucency at five clinical centers in North America and to evaluate methods of quality assurance and feedback. DESIGN: Throughout a period of 18 months, the performance of sonographers in measuring fetal nuchal translucency was monitored using qualitative and quantitative methods of review. After 12 months, different approaches (written and personal feedback) were used to inform sonographers of technical aspects that needed to or could be improved. RESULTS: On initial qualitative review, discrepancies in judgment from different reviewers coincided with suboptimal magnification, failure to visualize the amniotic membrane and/or use of cross-shaped calipers. At subsequent global review, 13 (29%) images of nuchal translucency measurements were considered unacceptable. Quantitative assessment revealed that, during the first part of the study, the means from four sonographers were significantly smaller and the mean from the fifth sonographer was significantly larger than expected on the basis of findings from The Fetal Medicine Foundation (P < 0.0001). Following feedback, sonographers who underestimated nuchal translucency and who received a written report only did not change measurements overall (P = 0.9759). In contrast, those who received additional intervention showed a marked difference (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Global qualitative review of images from one sonographer may be preferable to assessment of individual aspects of images. Results from global qualitative review correspond well with findings from quantitative analysis, indicating that the latter can be applied for ongoing audit. Observation of divergent results should prompt extensive personal feedback, rather than a written report, to prevent sonographers from settling in their own, inappropriate technique.


Subject(s)
Allied Health Personnel/education , Neck/diagnostic imaging , Quality Assurance, Health Care/methods , Trisomy/diagnosis , Ultrasonography, Prenatal/standards , Analysis of Variance , Feedback , Female , Humans , Neck/embryology , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Trimester, First/physiology
17.
Clin Perinatol ; 28(2): 333-52, viii, 2001 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11499056

ABSTRACT

There has been an increase in the use of fetal ultrasound in the first trimester. This article reviews the published literature with emphasis on fetal nuchal translucency (NT). When measured according to well-defined guidelines, increased NT identifies about 80% of chromosomal anomalies for a false-positive rate of about 5%. Increased NT may indicate the presence of structural defects or genetic disorders, and it is relatively frequently seen in monochorionic pregnancies prone to develop twin-twin transfusion syndrome.


Subject(s)
Chromosome Disorders/diagnostic imaging , Pregnancy Trimester, First , Ultrasonography, Prenatal , Female , Gestational Age , Humans , Maternal Age , Pregnancy , Pregnancy, Multiple , Risk Factors
18.
Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol ; 16(2): 142-5, 2000 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11117083

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study assesses two methods used to define relatively short femur in screening for trisomy 21 and examines changes in performance of screening with gestational age. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of data on menstrual age, femur length (FL) and biparietal diameter (BPD) in 49 trisomy 21 pregnancies and 6069 normal controls. Reference ranges were derived for BPD/FL versus menstrual age and for FL versus BPD. Two methods of defining short femur (BPD/FL and observed-to-expected FL ratio) were examined for false-positive rates and detection rates for trisomy 21 at different gestational ages. RESULTS: In the control group the BPD/FL ratio and its standard deviation decreased with menstrual age. Trisomy 21 was associated with a significantly higher BPD/FL ratio (P < 0.001) and the deviation increased significantly with menstrual age (P < 0.05). Eleven percent of 28 fetuses examined at 15-17 weeks had a BPD/FL above the 95th centile compared with 24% of 21 fetuses examined at 18-20 weeks (P = 0.40). The median observed-to-expected FL ratio in the control group was 1.0 throughout the gestational age range but the standard deviation decreased significantly with menstrual age (P < 0.01). Trisomy 21 was associated with a significantly reduced observed-to-expected FL ratio (P < 0.001) and the deviation increased significantly with menstrual age (P < 0.05). A fixed cut-off of 0.91 for observed-to-expected FL ratio provided a false-positive rate of 12% at 15-17 weeks compared with 6% at 18-20 weeks of gestation (P < 0.001) with detection rates of 29 and 38%, respectively (P = 0.73). CONCLUSION: Irrespective of the definition used to define the condition, relatively short femur is a poor marker for trisomy 21 particularly when the assessment takes place before 18 weeks of gestation.


Subject(s)
Down Syndrome/diagnostic imaging , Femur/growth & development , Gestational Age , Ultrasonography, Prenatal/methods , Adult , Case-Control Studies , Down Syndrome/diagnosis , Down Syndrome/epidemiology , Embryonic and Fetal Development , Female , Femur/embryology , Humans , Incidence , Mass Screening/methods , Middle Aged , Predictive Value of Tests , Pregnancy , Reference Values , Regression Analysis , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Sensitivity and Specificity
19.
Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol ; 16(6): 519-23, 2000 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11169344

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the extent that associated findings aid in the differential diagnosis and/or prognosis of fetal echogenic bowel. METHODS: Medical history, obstetric records and outcome details were examined for 131 consecutive pregnancies with fetal hyperechogenic bowel. RESULTS: In 62 (47%) cases, there were no visible anomalies other than hyperechogenic bowel and no evidence of growth restriction. This group included four (7%) pregnancies with Down syndrome, 15 (24%) with infection or a recent episode of influenza and eight (13%) with blood staining of amniotic fluid. In the remaining 69 (53%) cases, hyperechogenic bowel was accompanied by hydrops or nuchal edema (n = 16, 12.2%), growth restriction (n = 9, 6.9%), other markers for chromosome anomalies (n = 33, 25.2%) or multiple structural anomalies (n = 11, 8.4%). In this group, the prevalence of Down syndrome was 12%, infection or influenza was reported in 14 (20%) cases and there was blood staining of amniotic fluid in seven (10%). Cystic fibrosis screening was performed in 65 (50%) pregnancies; the results were negative in all cases and clinical assessment did not indicate cystic fibrosis in any of the 91 infants who were born alive. Maternal serum screening was performed in 41 (31%) pregnancies. High alpha-fetoprotein levels were associated with multiple abnormalities or severe growth restriction. CONCLUSIONS: In many pregnancies with fetal hyperechogenic bowel, there are multiple factors that may explain these findings. Thus identification of one potential underlying cause should not preclude further testing. Once chromosome defects, cystic fibrosis, structural abnormalities, infection and growth restriction have been excluded, parents can be counseled that the prognosis is good, irrespective of the presence or absence of blood stained amniotic fluid.


Subject(s)
Fetal Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Intestines/abnormalities , Intestines/diagnostic imaging , Ultrasonography, Prenatal , Adolescent , Adult , Amniotic Fluid , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Outcome , Pregnancy Trimester, Second , Prognosis , Risk Factors
20.
Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol ; 16(7): 610-3, 2000 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11169365

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of chromosomal defects on fetal heart rate at 10-14 weeks of gestation. METHODS: Fetal heart rate at 10-14 weeks of gestation in 1061 chromosomally abnormal fetuses was compared to that from 25,000 normal pregnancies. The chromosomally abnormal group included 554 cases of trisomy 21, 219 cases of trisomy 18, 95 of trisomy 13, 50 of triploidy, 115 of Turner syndrome and 28 of sex chromosome abnormalities other than Turner syndrome. RESULTS: In the normal group, fetal heart rate decreased from a mean value of 170 beats per minute (bpm) at 35 mm of crown-rump length to 155 bpm at 84 mm crown-rump length. In trisomy 21, trisomy 13 and Turner syndrome fetal heart rate was significantly higher, in trisomy 18 and triploidy the heart rate was lower and in other sex chromosome defects it was not significantly different from normal. Fetal heart rate was above the 95th centile of the normal range in 10%, 67% and 52% of fetuses with trisomy 21, trisomy 13 and Turner syndrome, respectively. The fetal heart rate was below the 5th centile in 30% of fetuses with triploidy and 19% of those with trisomy 18. CONCLUSIONS: Trisomy 21, trisomy 13 and Turner syndrome are associated with fetal tachycardia, whereas in trisomy 18 and triploidy there is fetal bradycardia. Inclusion of fetal heart rate in a first-trimester screening program for trisomy 21 by a combination of maternal age and fetal nuchal translucency thickness is unlikely to provide useful improvement in sensitivity.


Subject(s)
Chromosome Aberrations/diagnostic imaging , Fetal Diseases/genetics , Heart Rate, Fetal , Chromosome Disorders , Down Syndrome/diagnostic imaging , Female , Fetal Diseases/diagnosis , Gestational Age , Humans , Pregnancy , Sex Chromosome Aberrations/diagnostic imaging , Trisomy , Turner Syndrome/diagnostic imaging , Ultrasonography, Prenatal
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