The importance of the cerebroplacental ratio for the prognosis of neonatal outcome in AGA fetuses.

PURPOSE: As a Doppler sonographic parameter, the cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) provides information about fetal hemodynamics and the redistribution of fetal blood volume in response to a metabolic change. The present study was undertaken to determine the extent to which CPR can be used as a valid parameter in routine obstetric assessment. We investigated whether CPR can be used to assess the neonatal outcome in appropriate for gestational age (AGA) fetuses and its association with secondary cesarean section due to fetal distress. METHODS: In this retrospective analysis 1739 pregnant women were admitted to the University Women's Clinic Magdeburg, Germany, between January 2016 and December 2017. Of them, 710 AGA fetuses were eligible for analysis. SGA fetuses with an estimated fetal weight < 10th percentile were excluded from the study. The AGA fetuses were divided in two groups based on the CPR: 669 fetuses showed a normal CPR ≥ 1.08; 41 fetuses showed a decreased CPR < 1.08. RESULTS: In our study cohort decreased CPR in AGA fetuses was associated with threefold increased rate of cesarean sections due to fetal distress (p < 0.001). Our data suggested that low CPR is a reliable predictor of an impaired neonatal outcome in AGA fetuses in terms of a lower birth weight, transfer to neonatology, longer length of hospitalization, and the presence of severe morbidity. CONCLUSION: Decreased CPR in AGA fetuses correlated with impaired neonatal outcome and secondary cesarean section due to fetal distress. The potential role of CPR for obstetric screening should be investigated in further studies.

Prelabor and intrapartum Doppler ultrasound to predict fetal compromise.

According to current estimates, over 20% of the 4 million neonatal deaths occurring globally every year are related to intrapartum hypoxic complications that happen as a result of uterine contractions against a background of inadequate placental function. Most of such intrapartum complications occur among apparently uncomplicated term pregnancies. Available evidence suggests that current risk-assessment strategies do not adequately identify many of the fetuses vulnerable to periods of intermittent hypoxia that characterize human labor. In this review, we discuss the data available on Doppler ultrasound for the evaluation of placental function before and during labor in appropriately grown fetuses; we also discuss the current strategies for ultrasound-based risk stratification, the physiology of intrapartum compromise, and the potential future treatments to prevent fetal distress in labor and reduce perinatal complications related to birth asphyxia.

Does gestational age at term play a role in the association between cerebroplacental ratio and operative delivery for intrapartum fetal compromise?

INTRODUCTION: To assess the impact of gestational age at term on the association between cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) and operative delivery for intrapartum fetal compromise (IFC) and prognostic performance of CPR to predict operative delivery for IFC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study including 2052 singleton pregnancies delivered between 37+0 and 41+6  weeks of gestation in a single tertiary referral center over an 8-year period. CPR was measured within 1 week of delivery. IFC was defined as the presence of persistent pathological cardiotocography pattern or the combination of pathological cardiotocography pattern and fetal scalp pH < 7.20. Operative delivery included instrumental vaginal delivery and cesarean section. Pregnancies were grouped according to birthweight (small for gestational age [SGA, birthweight <10th centile] and appropriate for gestational age [AGA, birthweight 10th-90th centile]) and gestational age by week at delivery. Rates of operative delivery were compared between the subgroups. Prognostic value of CPR was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: Of the study cohort, 308 (15%) had a CPR <10th centile, 374 (18%) operative delivery for IFC, and 298 (15%) were SGA at birth. Overall, the rates of operative delivery for IFC were higher in the low CPR group both in SGA (35% vs. 22%; p = 0.023) and in AGA (23% vs. 16%; p = 0.007). According to gestational age by week at delivery, fetuses with low CPR showed higher rates of operative delivery for IFC with advancing gestational age, mainly in pregnancies delivered at 40 weeks (54% vs. 23%; p = 0.004) and at 41 weeks (60% vs. 19%; p = 0.010) for SGA and at 41 weeks (39% vs. 20%; p = 0.001) for AGA. The predictive value of CPR remained stable throughout term and was poor both in SGA and in AGA. CONCLUSIONS: Both SGA and AGA fetuses with low CPR showed higher rates of operative delivery for IFC at term with advancing gestational age. Prognostic value of CPR throughout term was poor.

Unusual umbilical Doppler waveform and fetal distress likely due to hypercoiled cord.

Both reduced and increased umbilical cord coiling patterns have been associated with fetal distress and adverse perinatal outcomes, including fetal death. Prenatal diagnosis of cord coiling anomalies is challenging but potentially very useful for identifying those that may benefit from a more intensive monitoring. Nevertheless, there is no standardized approach for this potentially lethal complication when suspected. We report a case of fetal Doppler alterations and cardiotocographic anomalies likely due to hypercoiled cord in a 29-week primigravida referred to our clinic, who therefore underwent an emergency cesarean section. This case could help clinicians to consider cord anomalies as a possible cause of fetal distress.

Cardiac Doppler in poorly controlled gestational diabetics and its link to markers of intra-uterine hypoxia and adverse outcome.

The aim of the study was to investigate foetal cardiac function using the modified myocardial performance index (Mod-MPI) in poorly controlled gestational diabetics and its link with intrauterine markers for hypoxia and to an adverse outcome. In a prospective, cross sectional study, 44 consecutive women with severe or poorly controlled gestational diabetic pregnancies in their third trimester on insulin therapy were recruited and matched with 44 women with normal pregnancies which served as the control group. Using Doppler echocardiography the foetal Mod-MPI was calculated. The foetal Mod-MPI was significantly higher in the diabetic group compared to the controls indicating significant myocardial dysfunction. The Mod-MPI served as an excellent marker of adverse outcomes. Foetal myocardial function was significantly impaired in poorly controlled gestational diabetics and there was a significant link of Mod-MPI to intrauterine markers of hypoxia, as well as to an adverse outcome. Mod-MPI has the potential to improve foetal surveillance in gestational diabetes.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Abnormal foetal cardiac function, as reflected in the modified myocardial performance index, has been reported to be significantly increased in foetuses of poorly controlled diabetics managed on insulin.What do the results of this study add? There is a significant link between abnormal foetal cardiac function to intrauterine markers of hypoxia, as well as to an adverse outcome; and that development of myocardial dysfunction could be one of the main mechanisms, inducing foetal compromise in poorly controlled gestational diabetes.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This study explores an interesting concept of foetal pathophysiology in gestational diabetes, namely the concept of "pseudo-hypoxia" in a foetus of a gestational diabetic mother, and this intrauterine "hypoxic stress" in turn leading to myocardial dysfunction. The Mod-MPI, a clinical marker for cardiac dysfunction, can therefore be used in the clinical setting to track a deteriorating metabolic state.

Correlation of short-term variation and Doppler parameters with adverse perinatal outcome in small-for-gestational age fetuses at term.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of short-term variation (STV) and Doppler parameters with adverse perinatal outcome in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses at term. METHODS: In this retrospective single-center study 97 patients with singleton SGA fetuses at term (≥ 37 + 0 weeks' gestation) were examined. Inclusion criteria were a birth weight < 10th centile, cephalic presentation and planned vaginal birth. Only cases with available Doppler measurements of umbilical artery (UA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) with calculated cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) in combination with a computerized CTG (cCTG) and STV 72 h prior to delivery were eligible for analysis. Pulsatility indices (PI) were converted into multiples of median (MoM), adjusted for gestational age. The association between Doppler indices and STV values with mode of delivery [secondary cesarean delivery (CD), operative vaginal delivery (OVD), as well as secondary CD and OVD due to fetal distress] and neonatal outcome [UA blood pH ≤ 7.15 and the need of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)] was analyzed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: There was a significant association between UA PI MoM and the rate of CD. CD due to fetal distress, OVD and OVD due to fetal distress did not show a correlation with the evaluated Doppler parameters. Furthermore, we did not find an association between low UA birth pH and Doppler parameters while neonates with the need of admission to NICU had significant higher UA PI MoM and significant lower MCA PI MoM and CPR MoM. Regarding STV, a significant effect of low STV on NICU admission was found while none of the other assessed outcome parameters were significantly associated with STV. CONCLUSION: STV and Doppler parameters in SGA fetuses at term are significantly associated to the rate of NICU admission.

Fetoscopy-Assisted Percutaneous Decompression of the Distal Trachea and Lungs Reverses Hydrops Fetalis and Fetal Distress in a Fetus with Laryngeal Atresia.

We present a case of prenatal hydrops secondary to congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS) that was treated with fetoscopy-assisted needle decompression. A 22-year-old G3P2 woman presented after a 21-week ultrasound demonstrated CHAOS. The fetus developed hydrops at 25 weeks, characterized by abdominal ascites, pericardial effusion, and scalp edema. Fetal MRI showed complete obstruction of the glottis and subglottic airway, suggestive of laryngeal atresia. At 27 weeks, due to the progression of the hydrops, operative fetoscopy was proposed and performed. Fetal laryngoscopy confirmed fusion of the vocal cords and laryngeal atresia. The atretic segment was a solid cartilaginous block, preventing intubation. Using the fetoscope to stabilize the fetal head and neck, we performed ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle drainage of the cervical trachea through the anterior fetal neck. We removed 17 mL of viscous fluid from the lower trachea, resulting in immediate lung decompression. Two weeks later, ultrasound confirmed hydrops resolution. The patient was delivered and tracheostomy performed at 30 weeks via an ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure after progression of preterm labor. At 27 days of life, the infant was stable on minimal ventilator support. To our knowledge, this is the first successful report of an ultrasound-guided percutaneous tracheal decompression through the anterior neck of a fetus with CHAOS secondary to laryngeal atresia.

Modern Ultrasonography of the Umbilical Cord: Prenatal Diagnosis of Umbilical Cord Abnormalities and Assessement of Fetal Wellbeing.

The umbilical cord is the only connection between the mother and the fetus, through which it is possible to transport respiratory gases, nutrients, and metabolites. Thanks to the umbilical cord, the fetus has also the ability to move, which is necessary for its proper psychomotor development. The correct structure and function of umbilical vessels and the entire umbilical cord determine the possibility of proper development and survival of the fetus. Umbilical cord anatomy should be assessed in the ultrasound examination in the first trimester. It is of vital importance to confirm the correct number of umbilical vessels and their intra-abdominal course, as well as carefully assessing the abdominal and placental insertion sites. In the latter half of pregnancy, the use of the Doppler imaging enables assessment of the function of the fetal-placental vessels, thus providing valuable information about the condition of the fetus.

Cardiotocography alone vs. cardiotocography with ST segment analysis for intrapartum fetal monitoring in women with late-term pregnancy. A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Randomized studies have obtained conflicting results regarding the usefulness of fetal electrocardiographic (ECG) ST-segment analysis, possibly because these studies included non-homogeneous populations. We designed a study to determine whether this monitoring technique is potentially useful for populations at risk for fetal heart rate alterations during labor, i.e. groups of women who share late-term pregnancy as a risk factor. STUDY DESIGN: This randomized clinical trial recruited women whose pregnancy had lasted more than 290 days. The participants were randomly assigned to continuous fetal cardiotocographic monitoring alone (CTG group) or with fetal ECG ST-segment analysis (ECG-F group). In the CTG group fetal heart rate was interpreted according to guidelines from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, whereas in the ECG-F group the tracings were interpreted according the original International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) guidelines. The primary outcome measure was neonatal outcome, evaluated as arterial blood pH in neonates after abdominal or vaginal operative delivery indicated because of nonreassuring fetal status. RESULTS: A total of 237 women were randomized, of whom 200 were included in the final analysis (100 in each group). The rate of cesarean delivery was the same in both groups (26%), and the rate of operative delivery due to nonreassuring fetal status did not differ significantly (38% in the CTG group vs. 39% in the ECG-F group). Regarding neonatal outcomes, there was no significant difference between groups in neonatal pH (7.27 [7.23-7.29] and 7.25 [7.21-7.27]). CONCLUSIONS: In a population comprising only late-term pregnancies, fetal ECG monitoring had no benefits for the mother or fetus. Additional studies are needed of protocols for using ST waveform analysis in selected population groups.

Computerised analysis of intrapartum fetal heart rate patterns and adverse outcomes in the INFANT trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess if a computerised decision support system reliably identified abnormal fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns in fetuses with adverse neonatal outcomes in the INFANT trial, and whether its use reduced substandard care. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study within a randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Twenty-four maternity units in the UK and Ireland. POPULATION OR SAMPLE: A total of 46 614 labours between January 6 2010 and August 31 2013 in the INFANT trial. METHODS: Panel review of intrapartum and neonatal care in infants with adverse outcome, and an assessment of the effectiveness of computerised interpretation of fetal heart rate in reducing substandard care. Descriptive analysis of other factors associated with adverse outcome. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence and detection rate of abnormal fetal heart rate patterns, other characteristics associated with perinatal adverse outcome, and frequency of substandard care. RESULTS: Computer interpretation of FHR patterns was deemed to be completely valid in only 24 of 71 (33.8%) cases of adverse outcome. On a scale of 0-10 (completely invalid to completely valid), 28 cases (39.4%) had a score of 6 or less, mainly due to lack of recognition of decelerations (15 cases), or reduced variability (seven cases), or failure to recognise tachysystole (five cases). There were multiple associated factors that modified the clinical assessment of FHR patterns. There was substandard care in 45/71 cases (63%). CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of abnormal fetal heart rate patterns were not detected accurately by computer analysis, and its use did not reduce the incidence of substandard care. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment Programme (project number 06.38.01). TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Improved recognition of abnormal fetal heart rate patterns is insufficient to reduce the incidence of substandard care.

Prediction of adverse perinatal outcome by cerebroplacental ratio in women undergoing induction of labor.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the performance of screening for adverse perinatal outcome by the cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) measured within 24 h prior to induction of labor. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of 1902 singleton pregnancies undergoing induction of labor at ≥ 37 weeks' gestation. Doppler ultrasound was used to measure the pulsatility index (PI) in the umbilical artery (UA) and fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) within 24 h before induction of labor. The measured UA-PI and MCA-PI and their ratio were converted to multiples of the median after adjustment for gestational age. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine whether CPR improved the prediction of adverse perinatal outcome provided by maternal characteristics, medical history and obstetric factors. The detection rate (DR) and false-positive rate (FPR) of screening by CPR were estimated for Cesarean section for presumed fetal distress and adverse neonatal outcome, which included umbilical arterial or venous cord blood pH ≤ 7 and ≤ 7.1, respectively, 5-min Apgar score < 7, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit for > 24 h or hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. RESULTS: A combination of maternal and pregnancy characteristics, including age, weight, racial origin, previous obstetric history, pre-eclampsia, gestational age at delivery and amniotic fluid volume, identified 39% of pregnancies requiring Cesarean section for fetal distress at a FPR of 10%; addition of CPR did not improve the performance of screening. In screening for adverse neonatal outcome by a combination of parity and CPR, the DR was 17% at a FPR of 10%. CONCLUSION: Low CPR, measured within 24 h prior to induction of labor, is associated with increased risk of Cesarean section for fetal distress and adverse neonatal outcome, but the performance of CPR for such surrogate measures of fetal hypoxic morbidity is poor. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Presentación de dos casos de vasa previa, ¿se podría haber evitado el desenlace? / Presentation of two cases of vasa previa. Could the outcome have been avoided?

Introducción: La vasa previa (VP) es una rara condición obstétrica en la cual los vasos sanguíneos fetales, libres de tejido placentario y no protegidos por gelatina de Wharton, pasan a nivel del segmento uterino inferior entre la presentación fetal y el cérvix, recubiertos solo por membranas amnióticas. Esta condición conlleva un elevado riesgo de mortalidad perinatal (2,4-56,4%), debido al riesgo de la-ceración de los vasos fetales durante el parto o la ruptura de membranas amnióticas, y consecuentemente la exanguinación fetal. Casos clínicos: Presentamos dos casos clínicos de gestaciones con VP sin diagnóstico prenatal, que presentaron hemorragia fetal durante el parto, requiriendo maniobras de reanimación avanzada y transfusión urgente de concentrado de hematíes, con una adecuada evolución. Conclusión: Resaltar la importancia del diagnóstico prenatal de VP, mediante estudio ecográfico según protocolo, que puede mejorar significativamente los resultados perinatales

Introduction. The vasa previa (VP) is a rare obstetric condition in which the fetal blood vessels, free of placental tissue and not protected by Wharton's gelatin, pass at the level of the lower uterine segment between the fetal presentation and the cervix, coated only by amniotic membranes. This condition carries a high risk of perinatal mortality (2.4-56.4%), due to the risk of laceration of the fetal vessels during delivery or the rupture of amniotic membranes, and consequently fetal exanguination. Cases report: We present two clinical cases of pregnancies with VP without prenatal diagnosis, which presented fetal hemorrhage during labor, requiring advanced resuscitation maneuvers and urgent transfusion of packed red blood cells, with an adequate evolution. Conclusion: Highlight the importance of prenatal diag-nosis of VP, by means of an echographic study according to protocol, which can significantly improve perinatal results

A low fetal cerebroplacental ratio confers a greater risk of intrapartum fetal compromise and adverse neonatal outcomes in low risk multiparous women at term.

BACKGROUND: A low fetal cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) and nulliparity have independently been shown to be associated with adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of parity on the CPR and investigate the utility of a CPR threshold of <10th centile for predicting adverse outcomes. We hypothesised that nulliparous women would have a lower CPR than multiparous women, impacting the diagnostic performance of the <10th centile threshold. This is an important consideration for interpretation of a low CPR in clinical practice. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study of low risk, singleton pregnancies delivering at term in Australia's largest maternity hospital. The primary outcome was emergency caesarean section for intrapartum fetal compromise (EmCS IFC). Data was dichotomised according to parity and further by CPR <10th centile. Multiple logistic regression was performed. RESULTS: 4737 women were included for analysis, 2333 were nulliparous and 2404 were multiparous. Overall the z-score (mean [SD])(CPR standardised for gestation) was lower in nulliparous compared to multiparous women (-0.16 [-1.73 - 1.42] vs 0.04 [-1.63 - 1.69], p < 0.001). Multiparous women had a non-significantly lower mean z-score for those who delivered by EmCS IFC than nulliparous women (-0.52 [-2.23 - 2.02] vs -0.45 [-2.22 - 1.1]). Nulliparous women had greater odds of having a CPR <10th centile compared to the multiparous cohort (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.02-1.5 vs. OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.7-0.98, p < 0.001). A CPR thresholdd <10th centile in nulliparous women was associated with increased odds of intrapartum fetal compromise (IFC), EmCS IFC (aOR 1.72, 95CI 1.2-2.6, p < 0.05) and birthweight <10th centile. A low CPR in multiparous women was associated with increased odds of all adverse perinatal outcomes measured: IFC, meconium stained liquor, EmCS IFC (aOR 4.99, 95%CI 2.5-9.9, p < 0.001), birthweight <10th centile, acidosis, neonatal intensive care admission and severe composite neonatal outcome. These aORs were associated with specificities of >90% and false positive rates of <10% for all outcomes in multiparous women. CONCLUSIONS: A CPR <10th centile in multiparous women confers greater odds of adverse perinatal outcomes and as such of the influence of parity should be taken into account when decisions regarding clinical management are made because of a low CPR.

Early recognition and management of fetal head trauma with massive subgaleal hemorrhage.

Non-obstetrical fetal head injury is an unusual clinical event. While multiple case reports describe motor vehicle collisions resulting in intrauterine fetal skull fractures, management of these injuries has not been emphasized. We report a case of a depressed fetal skull fracture with massive subgaleal and subperiosteal hemorrhage requiring neurosurgical intervention with good clinical outcomes for both mother and infant dyad.

The relationship between intrapartum cerebroplacental ratio and adverse perinatal outcomes in term fetuses.

OBJECTIVES: The cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) Doppler has been proposed as an instrument for predicting adverse perinatal outcomes particularly during antepartum period. Abnormal CPR is associated with non-reassuring fetal status requiring operative delivery, low Apgar score and neonatal complications. The aim of this study was to assess the role of CPR Doppler in the labor triage suite, so as to identify fetuses at risk for non-reassuring status as well as other adverse perinatal outcomes. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of term pregnancies who attended the labor room during the latent phase of labor. Both fetal Middle Cerebral Artery Pulsatility Index (MCA-PI) and Umbilical Artery Pulsatility Index (UA-PI) were measured and these values were converted to CPR values. Non-reassuring fetal status requiring operative delivery and other adverse perinatal outcomes were compared between women with normal and abnormal CPR values. Accuracy of CPR for predicting non-reassuring fetal status and abnormal fetal heart rate patterns were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 384 women were recruited. Lower CPR values were observed in women who underwent operative delivery for non-reassuring fetal status. However, when dividing women into normal and abnormal CPR groups, using 3 different cut-off values, the rate of non-reassuring fetal status was not significantly different between the groups. There was a significantly higher rate of abnormal fetal heart rate monitoring in fetuses with CPR < 5th percentile and CPR < 1. CPR appeared to have a low positive predictive value (PPV) for predicting non-reassuring fetal heart rate patterns, however, the negative predictive value (NPV) was high. CONCLUSIONS: In term fetuses, lower CPR is associated with non-reassuring fetal status. CPR measurement during the intrapartum period with currently available CPR cut-off values is not a good predictor for adverse perinatal outcomes, with the exception of abnormal fetal heart rate patterns. However, the high NPV may be used to stratify pregnant women who may benefit from continuous fetal heart rate monitoring.

Ultrasound screening for complications in twin pregnancy.

In the decades since the introduction of ultrasound into routine obstetric practice, the advantages of ultrasound have moved beyond the simple ability to identify multiple pregnancies antenatally to the possibility of screening them for fetal anomalies, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, and the complications specific to monochorionic pregnancies. Screening studies have often excluded twins because physiological differences impact on the validity and sensitivity of the screening tests in routine use in singletons, and therefore, the evidence of screening performance in multiple pregnancy lags behind the evidence from singleton pregnancies. In general, most pregnancy complications are more common in twin pregnancy, but screening tests are less accurate or well validated. In this review article we present the current state of the evidence and avenues for future research relating to the use of ultrasound and screening for complications in twin pregnancies, including the monochorionicity-related pathologies, such as twin-twin transfusion syndrome, selective growth restriction, twin anaemia-polycythaemia sequence and twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence.

Relationship of prelabor fetal cardiac function with intrapartum fetal compromise and neonatal status at term.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate prospectively the relationship of fetal cardiac function and Doppler ultrasound parameters with intrapartum fetal compromise (IFC) in appropriately grown term fetuses. Secondary aims were to correlate prenatal cardiac function with neonatal acid-base status, intrapartum fetal heart rate (FHR) abnormalities and adverse neonatal outcomes. METHODS: This was a blinded, prospective, observational, cohort study of 270 women with an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy who underwent fortnightly ultrasound assessment from 36 weeks' gestation until delivery at the Mater Mother's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. Fetal cardiac output and blood flow parameters were assessed and correlated with intrapartum and neonatal outcomes. The primary outcome was need for operative (either Cesarean or instrumental vaginal) delivery for IFC. Secondary outcome measures were acidosis at birth, 5-min Apgar score ≤ 7, suspicious or pathological FHR abnormalities and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy women were included in the analysis, of whom 51 (18.9%) had an emergency operative delivery for IFC. Fetuses that had emergency delivery for IFC showed lower mean left ventricular cardiac output (LVCO) (560 ± 44 mL/min vs 617 ± 73 mL/min; P < 0.001), lower mean LVCO/right ventricular cardiac output (RVCO) ratio (0.55 ± 0.07 vs 0.64 ± 0.11; P < 0.001), lower mean cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) (1.62 ± 0.3 vs 1.90 ± 0.5; P < 0.001) and higher mean RVCO (1026 ± 105 mL/min vs 978 ± 110 mL/min; P = 0.003) compared with those that did not develop IFC. Additionally, LVCO and CPR were lower in fetuses with adverse neonatal outcome. CONCLUSION: Term fetuses with estimated fetal weight > 10th centile that develop IFC have evidence of lower LVCO and higher RVCO, which are in turn associated with poorer condition of the newborn. Fetal CPR is positively correlated with LVCO. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

De-novo abnormal uteroplacental circulation in third trimester: pregnancy outcome and pathological implications.

OBJECTIVE: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are associated with impaired placentation, as evidenced by abnormal uterine artery (UtA) Doppler. In normal pregnancy, mean UtA pulsatility index (PI) shows a progressive decline with gestational age (GA). However, previous studies have reported that a proportion of pregnancies demonstrate worsening UtA Doppler in later pregnancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of HDP according to the change in mean UtA-PI between the second and third trimesters. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies between March 1997 and March 2016 that underwent longitudinal UtA Doppler assessment in the second and third trimesters. All parameters were converted into centiles or multiples of the median (MoM), adjusting for GA. The study cohort was divided into two groups, according to change in mean UtA-PI between the second and third trimesters (those with a decrease or no change and those with an increase). HDP included women who developed pre-eclampsia and/or gestational hypertension. Logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for potential confounders. RESULTS: The analysis included 5887 pregnancies. The incidence of HDP was significantly higher in the group with increasing mean UtA-PI compared with those without (7.9% vs 5.8%; P = 0.002). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that both third-trimester UtA-PI MoM (odds ratio (OR), 7.35; 95% CI, 4.66-11.6; P < 0.001) and stable or decrease in UtA-PI MoM between the second and third trimesters (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.31-0.60; P < 0.001) were significant independent predictors for the development of HDP. CONCLUSION: Worsening of UtA Doppler is associated with HDP, independent of the value recorded in the second trimester. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Fetal major cardiac defects and placental dysfunction at 11-13 weeks' gestation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between fetal major cardiac defects and markers of placental perfusion and function. METHODS: This was a prospective screening study in singleton pregnancies at 11-13 weeks' gestation. Uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA-PI), serum pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and placental growth factor (PlGF) were measured and the values were converted into multiples of the normal median (MoM). Median MoM values in fetuses with isolated major cardiac defects were compared with those in fetuses without major defects. RESULTS: The 50 094 singleton pregnancies fulfilling the entry criteria included 49 898 pregnancies with normal cardiac anatomy and 196 (0.39%) with major congenital cardiac defects: 73 (37.2%) with conotruncal defects, 63 (32.1%) with left ventricular outflow tract defects and 60 (30.6%) with valvular defects. In the group with cardiac defects, compared with controls, there was lower median PAPP-A MoM (0.81 vs 1.00, P < 0.0001) and PlGF MoM (0.78 vs 1.00, P < 0.0001) but no significant difference in UtA-PI MoM (1.01 vs 1.00, P = 0.162). CONCLUSION: In pregnancies with isolated fetal major cardiac defects, there is evidence of placental dysfunction in the absence of impaired placental perfusion. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.