Cavum septum pellucidum nomogram during the second trimester of pregnancy.

This study aimed to determine cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) nomogram values between 15-28 weeks of gestation. Routine biometric measurements and CSP width were measured by transabdominal ultrasonography in 6042 structurally normal foetuses between 15-28 weeks of gestation. Distribution of CSP width by the week of pregnancy and percentile values were calculated. The mean week of gestation (GW) was 21 ± 1.7, and the mean biparietal diameter (BPD) was 50.2 ± 5.8 mm. The CSP width range was 1.6-7.7 mm at 15-28 weeks, and the mean CSP width was 4.1 ± 0.8 mm. CSP width was found to have a significant correlation between a gestational week (CSP = GW X 0.2705-1.6121; R = 0.62; p < .01) and BPD (CSP = BPD X 0.0859-0.273; R = 0.651; p 0.01). CSP width was found to differ significantly according to gestational weeks, and percentile distributions were calculated. Between 15 and 28 weeks of gestation, the 95th percentile values of CSP width were found to be 3.7-7 mm. Our study was determined that CSP width increased linearly between 15-28 weeks of gestation. For this reason, we think that it would be more appropriate to use CSP width percentile values in the examination of the foetus. Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? The cavum septum pellucidum can be easily identified and evaluated by ultrasonography after 18 weeks of pregnancy. CSP can be associated with severe brain anomalies if it is not visualised or deformed. Moreover; large CSP may be associated with chromosomal abnormalities.What do the results of this study add? Our study showed that CSP width increased linearly between 15-28 weeks of gestation. CSP width was found to differ significantly according to gestational weeks, and between 15 and 28 weeks of gestation, the 95th percentile values of CSP width were found to be 3.7-7 mm.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? We reported that it would be more appropriate to use CSP percentile values according to the gestational week in the definition of abnormal CSP.

The outcome of the vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation cases diagnosed prenatally.

Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation (VGAM) is a rare foetal anomaly associated with neurodevelopment delay, cardiac failure, and even perinatal death. We aimed to assess prenatal features of VGAM and describe postnatal outcomes. This was a retrospective study involving six foetuses diagnosed with VGAM prenatally in two centres. All of the cases underwent foetal neurosonography and echocardiography. The presence of ventriculomegaly, intracranial haemorrhage and cardiac failure was recorded. Pregnancy and neonatal outcome information were obtained from medical records. The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 31.1 ± 5.1 weeks, and the mean size of VGAM was 29.2 ± 5.2 × 26.4 ± 3.3 mm. Ventriculomegaly was detected in five of six (83.3%) cases. Intracranial haemorrhage was present in five (83.3%) cases. Cardiac failure was shown in four (66.6%) foetuses. Three foetuses underwent termination of pregnancy (TOP); in two cases, neonatal death occurred. One patient was treated with endovascular embolisation, and there was no cardiac problem or neurodevelopment delay. Prenatally diagnosed VGAM have a poor prognosis, mainly if a cardiac failure or neurological consequences (intracranial haemorrhage, hydrocephaly) are present in utero.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? VGAM is the most common cerebral arteriovenous malformation detected prenatally, and it can lead to severe consequences in the perinatal period.What do the results of this study add? The accuracy of foetal neurosonography is excellent for detecting VGAM and associated brain abnormalities. Foetal echocardiography is mandatory for the prediction of prognosisWhat are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? VGAM is associated with severe brain injury, cardiac failure, and the prognosis is generally poor. We need predictors to identify those expected to benefit from postnatal therapy.

The outcome of the multifetal pregnancy reduction procedures in a single centre: A report of 202 completed cases.

OBJECTIVE: To review the results of fetal reduction procedures in our institution, evaluate its effects on the pregnancy outcome in terms of miscarriage, preterm delivery, taking home healthy babies and discuss the factors that may have contributed to the outcome. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study performed at the Fetal Medicine Unit of the Sisli Memorial Hospital in Istanbul after ART therapies in our unit from 2000 to 2011. RESULTS: The sample comprised 151 triplets, 35 quadruplets, 11 quintuplets, 3 twins, 1 sextuplet and 1 septuplet. The average maternal age was 30 ± 4.4 and the average week of interventions was 11.7 ± 1.3 weeks. In 40 cases two or more needle insertions were necessary. The two-week post-procedure loss rate, defined as 'the procedure related loss rate', was 0.7%; however, for the whole sample, the losses were 6.9% when they occured before 24 completed weeks and was defined as 'the total loss rate'. 184 of the remaining 188 cases had at least one baby to take home (91.1% of 202 patients). The average birth week for those healthy babies discharged home was 35.5 ± 2.4. The rate of early preterm birth before gestational weeks of 32 was 9%. The mean birthweight of this "take-home" group was 2302 ± 525 g. CONCLUSION: Fetal reduction in multifetal pregnancy is associated with low miscarriage rate and preterm delivery rates. Fetal reduction in multifetal pregnancy should be considered for better pregnancy outcomes and the results of this study can be used in prenatal counseling.

Prediction of intraoperative nausea and vomiting in caesarean delivery under regional anaesthesia.

Objectives This study aimed to predict patients who have caesarean operations under regional anaesthesia and are at risk for intraoperative nausea and vomiting (IONV), for ultimately prompting anaesthetists and surgeons to take preventive measures. Methods This was a retrospective study on 209 patients who had caesarean section under spinal-epidural combined regional anaesthesia. The relevant medical history, such as severe nausea and vomiting in the first trimester, smoking, a history of motion sickness, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS), were obtained from the patients' records and interviews. Results Patients who had a female neonate, a history of severe nausea and vomiting in the first trimester, and a history of PMS and motion sickness before pregnancy experienced a significantly higher rate of IONV. Smokers were less susceptible to IONV, but this was not significant. Conclusion This study shows that some factors in the medical history of a patient can help identify those who are more likely to suffer from IONV.

Evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea symptoms in pregnant women with chronic disease.

OBJECTIVE: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a disease which is estimated to be undiagnosed to a large extent. Hence, the prevalence of OSAS in pregnant women is unknown. We aimed to evaluate the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea in pregnant women with chronic diseases. METHODS: In the study, 97 pregnant women with chronic diseases and 160 healthy pregnant women were included. A form questioning socio-demographic characteristics and pregnancy characteristics, Epworth scale and the Berlin questionnaire to evaluate the risk of OSAS were applied to participants. RESULTS: It has been determined that 10-12.5% of healthy pregnant women, 34-45.4% of pregnants with chronic diseases and 20.6-23.3% of all pregnant women had a high risk of OSAS, the pregnants with chronic disease compared to healthy pregnant women had statistically significant higher risk of OSAS. The risk of OSAS was found to be significantly higher especially in pregnant women with hypertension and diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: OSAS can lead to the adverse consequences in pregnancy, should be questioned for all pregnants especially those with chronic diseases. Pregnant women with OSAS should be monitored more carefully in terms of diabetes and hypertension in antenatal care.