Prenatal diagnosis of cardiac papillary fibroelastoma of the aortic valve: A report of two cases.

In our perinatology service, we observed two cases of cardiac papillary fibroelastoma in fetuses. This case-report focused on assessing the prenatal diagnosis and outcome of these two fetal cases in which cardiac fibroelastoma was initially identified via fetal echocardiography and subsequently confirmed by histopathological analysis.

Navigating the spectrum of double-outlet right ventricle presentations: Outcomes from a contemporary cohort based on subtypes.

PURPOSE: Our aim in this study was to investigate the prenatal and postnatal prognosis of double outlet right ventricle (DORV) cases diagnosed prenatally by analyzing the outcomes based on the subtype. METHODS: This study is a retrospective chart review. Cases diagnosed with fetal DORV by prenatal ultrasound in the maternal-fetal medicine department of our hospital between 2014 and 2022 were included. Data on maternal characteristics, fetal echocardiographic features (type of DORV), pregnancy and neonatal outcomes (termination of pregnancy [TOP], intrauterine fetal death [IUD], neonatal death [NND], death in infancy (IND), survival) were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Ninety-nine cases of prenatally diagnosed cases of DORV were included. The prenatal diagnosis was right in 97% of the liveborn fetuses. The cases were classified into subtypes, including transposition of great arteries (TGA), Fallot, ventricular septal defect (VSD), remote, and heterotaxy types. The cohort consisted of 32.3% TGA type, 19.1% fallot type, 11.1% VSD type, 2% remote type, and 35.3% heterotaxy type of DORV. An additional cardiac anomaly was observed in 87% and an extra-cardiac anomaly was observed in 54% of the cases. When we excluded the cases with heterotaxy type but without any chromosomal abnormality, additional genetic abnormalities were detected in 42% of the remaining cases. Outcome of pregnancy was livebirth in 68/99 (68.7%), IUFD in 5/99 (5.1%), and TOP in 26/99 (26.3%). Postnatal cardiac surgical repair was performed in 48 cases. Survival among livebirths was 39/68 (57.3%). Twenty-nine neonates or infants who had additional cardiac anomalies and/or genetic abnormalities died before any surgical intervention. The postoperative survival rate was 39/48 (81.2%). CONCLUSION: The prognosis in DORV depends on the anatomical subtype, the presence, and severity of associated anomalies. Survival increases in isolated cases without any additional structural or genetic anomalies.

Does diabetes mellitus affect the development of fetal brain structures and spaces including corpus callosum, subarachnoid space, insula, and parieto-occipital fissure?

PURPOSE: We investigated the impact of pregestational and gestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM and GDM) on the development of fetal intracranial structures and spaces. METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional study involved singleton pregnancies between 20 and 32 weeks of gestation. The study comprised a control group (n = 65) of healthy pregnant women without diabetes mellitus (DM); a PGDM group (n = 43) of pregnant women having type 2 DM in a controlled diabetic state; and a GDM group (n = 26) of pregnant women with GDM diagnosed with 2-h 75-g oral glucose tolerance test and received intervention to reduce the diabetic impact on fetus. During neurosonographic evaluation, the simultaneous measurements of corpus callosum (CC) width and depth in the midsagittal image; and lateral craniocortical and posterior craniocortical widths of the subarachnoid space and insular and parieto-occipital fissure depths in the axial image were performed. Before statistical analysis, these values were carefully adjusted for the occipitofrontal diameter. RESULTS: The DM groups displayed substantially higher frequencies of family history of DM and obstetric history of GDM compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Regarding the neurosonographic parameters, the CC length and insular and parieto-occipital fissure depths were significantly increased in the GDM group but not in the PGDM group (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found among the study groups regarding other neurosonographic parameters (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of neurosonographical evaluation of fetal brain structures and spaces reveal that diabetic impact may not be seen in the presence of PGDM, especially in pregnant women receiving prenatal interventions to reduce or avoid diabetic adverse effects on fetal brain development. The effect of GDM on neurosonographically assessed fetal brain development should be evaluated in further studies with subjects matched for gestational weeks and antenatal care conditions.

Assessment of fetal myocardial performance index in pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection: A prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to investigate the effects of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on fetal myocardial performance in women who had it during their pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our prospective cohort study including healthy pregnant women and pregnant with SARS-CoV-2 infection, we collected patients' data between June 2021 and April 2022. Maternal characteristics, gestational age at SARS-CoV-2 infection and ultrasound examination, and body mass index were noted. Fetal biometry, fetal anatomy scanning, placenta, amniotic fluid index (AFI), and Doppler parameters were routinely examined in all patients. Left ventricular myocardial performance index (MPI) was measured during fetal echocardiography examination. Doppler parameters, AFI, and MPI values were compared between two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the control group (n = 80), MPI values were found within normal limits in fetuses of pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection (n = 80) (MPI: 0.38 ± 0.06 in the control groups vs. 0.39 ± 0.05 in the SARS-COV-2 positive group, p = 0.79). There was no relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and changes in AFI and umbilical artery pulsatility index (PI) values. Uterine artery PI values were significantly higher in pregnant women with (SARS-CoV-2) infection (0.81 in the control group vs. 0.97 in the SARS-CoV-2 group, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Fetal cardiac functions were not affected in pregnant women with previous (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Further metaanalyses are warranted to confirm the results.

Clinical and genetic aspects of termination of pregnancy; tertiary center experience.

Objective: The aim of the study was to retrospectively analyze the indications Techniques and complications of pregnancy termination performed in a tertiary center. Materials and Methods: All cases between 10 and 33 weeks of gestation between January 2021 and June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups as group 1 with 11+0 to 21+6 gestational weeks and group 2 for those at 22+0 and 33+0 gestational weeks. Results: A total of 568 pregnancy terminations were included in the study. Among all terminations the most common fetal indications were central nervous system anomalies (148 cases, 26%) and trisomy 21 (53 cases, 9%) and the most common maternal/obstetrical Indication was previable premature rupture of the membranes (179 cases, 31.5%). Abnormal genetic results were found in 50 of 173 cases (28.9%) with a termination indication of Structural malformation who accepted invaziv genetic testing. The number of terminations with fetal indications performed after 22 weeks were 148 (41%) and 11 (7.4%) cases of these late terminations of pregnancy were anomalies expected to be diagnosed in the first trimester. Complication rates (12.4%) and abdominal termination rates (3.5%) were significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1 (p<0.05). Conclusion: Improvements in prenatal genetic screening and diagnostic techniques will undoubtedly decrease the gestational ages in terminations of pregnancies. However, there will always be cases that can neither be diagnosed earlier nor can be treated due to the nature of the anomaly. In the management of such cases, terminations will always occupy an important place in prenatal care.

Histopathological, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical examination of changes in the placenta as a result of severe preeclampsia.

PURPOSE: To investigate the role of hypoxia-inducible transcription factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) and angiogenetic factor endothelin-1 (ET-1) expression in regulating hypoxia and placental development by routine histopathological methods. METHODS: Twenty preeclamptic and normal placentas were used. Placenta tissue pieces were examined histopathologically after routine paraffin follow-ups. HIF-1α and ET-1 proteins were examined immunohistochemically, and placental tissues were examined ultrastructurally. RESULTS: Increase in syncytial proliferation, endothelial damage in vessels, and increase in collagen were observed in preeclamptic placentas. As a result of preeclampsia, an increase was observed in HIF-1α and ET-1 protein levels in the placenta. Dilatation of endoplasmic reticulum and loss of cristae in mitochondria were observed in trophoblast cells in preeclamptic placental sections. CONCLUSIONS: High regulation of oxygen resulting from preeclampsia has been shown to be a critical determinant of placentagenesis and plays an important role in placental differentiation, changes in maternal and fetal blood circulation, trophoblastic invasion, and syncytial node increase. It has been thought that preeclampsia affects secretion by disrupting the endoplasmic reticulum structure and induces mitochondrial damage, and that ET-1 may potentially help in the induction of stress pathways as a result of hypoxia in preeclampsia.

Expression of NF-κB and VEGF in normal placenta and placenta previa patients.

BACKGROUND: Placenta previa is a pregnancy condition associated with the development of complications related to placental insufficiency, including hypertension, preeclampsia and perinatal mortality. Dysfunction in uteroplacental arteries causes the release of cytokines, leukotrienes and immunomodulatory hormones, which leads to an inflammatory reaction. OBJECTIVES: The nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) pathway and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are known to play crucial roles in inflammation and angiogenetic regulation. This study aimed to demonstrate the morphometric and immunohistochemical effects on inflammation and angiogenesis underlying placenta previa. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty pregnant patients with placenta previa and 20 healthy pregnant patients, all between 30 and 38 weeks gestational age, were included in the study. The gestational age of the pregnancies was determined according to the last date of menstruation and/or ultrasonographic measurements. Blood samples and clinical data were obtained from the prenatal patient groups. Samples were taken from the connecting stem region from both groups. RESULTS: The mean difference between the control and placenta previa patients was statistically significant for the parameters of blood vessels in villi, diameter of floating small villus, decidual cells, syncytial knots, congestion in blood vessels, fibrinoid accumulation, and inflammation. Significant degeneration and apoptotic changes in the syncytial cells of the root villi and an increase in syncytial nodes and bridges were observed in the placenta previa specimens. In the connecting stem region of the placenta previa samples, blood vessel dilatation, endothelial cell hyperplasia and a higher number of syncytial nodes were observed. In the immunohistochemical examination of the placenta previa samples, an increase in NF-κB and VEGF expression was observed in the endothelial cells, syncytial cells and Hofbauer cells. CONCLUSIONS: Vascular endothelial growth factor was found to stimulate endothelial cell proliferation and migration, and to significantly affect angiogenesis during the developmental process of the placenta and remodeling of the uterine vessels, inducing NF-κB signaling and apoptotic development during cytotrophoblastic invasion in the vascularization of the placenta.

Can we predict the need for postnatal surgery in patients with prenatal fetal lung masses detected by CVR value?

AIM: The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether CPAM-volume ratio (CVR) can predict postnatal management (follow up for resolution and surgical treatment) in fetuses with fetal lung masses in the prenatal period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 44 patients who presented at our center with prenatally diagnosed CPAM (Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation) and BPS (Bronchopulmonary Sequestration) were analyzed. Obstetric history and outcomes, karyotype results, CVR, additional sonographic findings, characteristics of masses were recorded. CVR was calculated for all cases. In the study we sought to identify a CVR threshold and did not use the thresholds classically used in the literature. RESULTS: 20 fetal BPS and 24 CPAM cases were analyzed. After excluding 5 patients, 46% of the patients were diagnosed with BPS and 54% with CPAM. In this study the cut off < 0,53 for CVR is taken, it predicts the no need for postnatal surgery with a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 88%. When we take the > 0,76 cut-off value for patients who will require emergency surgery within the first 10 days, it predicts the need for surgery with 90% sensitivity and 89% specificity. In addition, it was determined that all patients with mediastinal shift were operated. CONCLUSION: We believe that the CVR value and the presence of mediastinal shift should be evaluated in all cases of CPAM and BPS for prediction of the surgery. Proper counseling about the prognosis could be given to the family in cases with mediastinal shift and CVR value above 0,76.

Histopathological, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical examination of changes in the placenta as a result of severe preeclampsia

Purpose: To investigate the role of hypoxia-inducible transcription factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) and angiogenetic factor endothelin-1 (ET-1) expression in regulating hypoxia and placental development by routine histopathological methods. Methods: Twenty preeclamptic and normal placentas were used. Placenta tissue pieces were examined histopathologically after routine paraffin follow-ups. HIF-1α and ET-1 proteins were examined immunohistochemically, and placental tissues were examined ultrastructurally. Results: Increase in syncytial proliferation, endothelial damage in vessels, and increase in collagen were observed in preeclamptic placentas. As a result of preeclampsia, an increase was observed in HIF-1α and ET-1 protein levels in the placenta. Dilatation of endoplasmic reticulum and loss of cristae in mitochondria were observed in trophoblast cells in preeclamptic placental sections. Conclusion: High regulation of oxygen resulting from preeclampsia has been shown to be a critical determinant of placentagenesis and plays an important role in placental differentiation, changes in maternal and fetal blood circulation, trophoblastic invasion, and syncytial node increase. It has been thought that preeclampsia affects secretion by disrupting the endoplasmic reticulum structure and induces mitochondrial damage, and that ET-1 may potentially help in the induction of stress pathways as a result of hypoxia in preeclampsia.

Intraamniotic digoxin administration versus intracardiac or funic potassium chloride administration to induce foetal demise before termination of pregnancy: a prospective study.

Different foeticide techniques and pharmacological agents have been used to achieve foetal asystole. This study aimed to compare the success of intraamniotic digoxin, intracardiac potassium chloride (KCl), and funic KCl in achieving foetal asystole and discuss procedural difficulties for physicians and clinical outcomes. This prospective observational study included 124 patients who received foeticide at 22-31 weeks of gestation. All procedures were performed transabdominally, and 1 mg of intraamniotic digoxin, funic KCl, or intracardiac KCl was administered. Procedure times, procedural difficulty scores, patient pain scores, decrease in haematocrit levels, induction and hospitalisation times, and the presence of chorioamnionitis were recorded. The foeticide success rates were 93.0, 95.1, and 97.5% for intraamniotic digoxin, intracardiac KCl, and funic KCl, respectively. Intraamniotic digoxin was associated with shorter procedure times, lower procedural difficulty scores, and lower patient pain scores (p < 0.001). Decreases in haematocrit, induction times, and chorioamnionitis were similar in all three procedures. Success rates and clinical results were similar for all three procedures. Foeticide with intra-amniotic digoxin has a high success rate, the procedure is easier to perform, and patients experience less procedural pain.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Different foeticide techniques and pharmacological agents have been used to achieve foetal asystole. Pharmacological agents used in the foeticide procedure can be injected as intracardiac, funic, intrafetal, or intraamniotic, and the most commonly used are potassium chloride (KCl), digoxin, and lidocaine.What do the results of this study add? The success rates and clinical outcomes in achieving foetal asystole are similar for intracardiac KCl, funic KCl, and intra-amniotic digoxin procedures. Foeticide with intra-amniotic digoxin is less difficult to perform, and patients experience less pain associated with the procedure. All three techniques appear to be safe and have similar short-term obstetric outcomes.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Physicians may prefer foeticide with intra-amniotic digoxin as the procedure is technically simpler and has similar success rates to intracardiac or funic KCl administration. A prospective randomised study could better compare the advantages and limitations of the foeticide techniques.

Positive effects of fetal echocardiography on maternal anxiety: a prospective study in a tertiary center in Turkey.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the anxiety levels of pregnant women who were referred to a tertiary center for fetal echocardiography (FE) and the effect of FE results on maternal anxiety.Methods: This prospective study was conducted between January 2020 and February 2021 and included 118 pregnant women. The anxiety levels of the participants were evaluated with the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, which evaluates state (STAI-I) and trait (STAI-II) anxiety. STAI-I and STAI-II were administered to participants at first admission using a standard interview technique prior to FE. After the FE was completed, a structured interview was performed and the state anxiety index (STAI-I-R) was re-administered to the participants.Results: Severe congenital heart disease (CHD) was detected in 63 (53.4%) fetuses. The participants' mean STAI-I scores were significantly higher than their mean STAI-II scores (44.19 ± 8.56 and 41.98 ± 5.98, respectively, t = 2.59 and p = 0.011). In pregnant women with fetuses with severe CHD, STAI-I-R scores were significantly lower compared to STAI-I scores (43.48 ± 7.97 and 46.28 ± 7.18, respectively, t = 2.13 and p = 0.037).Conclusion: Referral for FE is associated with increased maternal anxiety, and a structured interview may result in reduced anxiety levels even in those with abnormal FE.

Aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) score: is it useful in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy?

OBJECTIVE: It is aimed to evaluate the efficacy of using aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/platelet count ratio [AST to platelet ratio index (APRI) score] in ICP patients. METHODS: This study was carried out including 101 patients diagnosed with ICP (72 patients with mild ICP and 29 patients with severe ICP). Laboratory tests and neonatal outcomes of both groups were analyzed retrospectively. APRI scores were compared between the two groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the performance of the APRI score in determining the severity of ICP and the prediction of adverse neonatal outcomes. p < .05 was considered to be a statistically significant result. RESULTS: Patients with severe ICP had higher APRI scores than patients with mild ICP (p < .001). The cutoff value for the APRI score was 1.06, with 82% sensitivity and 72% specificity. There was also a significant positive association between APRI score and fasting bile acid level (r = 0.445, p < .001). In addition, elevated APRI scores were associated with meconium-stained amniotic fluid, neonatal intensive care unit admission and preterm delivery. CONCLUSION: The APRI score may not be the perfect differentiating method for the severity of ICP but it may help the clinician working with limited resources.

Cerebroplacental doppler ratio and perinatal outcome in late-onset foetal growth restriction.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether gestational age-specific levels of the cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) as a third-trimester ultrasound marker has benefits in the prediction of perinatal morbidity and mortality on foetuses with late-onset foetal growth restriction (FGR). A retrospective study of singleton pregnancies diagnosed with late-onset FGR was performed. Of 407 pregnancies meeting our inclusion criteria, 313 had normal (Group 1) and 94 had abnormal CPR (Group 2). Both groups were similar in age, gestational age at diagnosis, body mass index and parity. There was a significant association between the presence of oligohydramnios and abnormal CPR. Mean gestational age at delivery and mean neonatal birth weight were significantly lower in Group 2. Neonatal intensive care unit admission, foetal distress, low 5-minute Apgar score <7, and low cord pH < 7.1 rates were significantly higher in Group 2. There was one neonatal death in both groups. Multivariable regression analysis demonstrated that, in the prediction of APO, there was a significant contribution from neonatal birth weight <10th percentile, CPR <5th percentile and oligohydramniosis. Our findings revealed that CPR value less than 5th centile can be used as a predictor of APO in late-onset FGR.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Low cerebroplacetal ratio (CPR) is a marker of failure to reach the growth potential regardless of foetal weight.What do the results of this study add? The CPR can be used as an adequate predictor of adverse perinatal outcome in pregnancies with late-onset foetal growth restriction.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Routine calculation and report of CPR during basic ultrasound examination may help to identify foetuses with FR with a higher risk of adverse perinatal outcome. Future prospective studies on pregnancies with FGR with oligohydroamnios or normal amniotic fluid volume should focus on determining CPR threshold.

Natural history of fetal ovarian cysts in the prenatal and postnatal periods.

PURPOSE: To determine the natural history of fetal ovarian cysts and to investigate whether the prognosis can be predicted by prenatal ultrasonography (US). METHODS: This retrospective study includes cases of fetal ovarian cysts diagnosed by prenatal US over a 6-year period. Cases were divided into four subgroups of cysts (small and simple, small and complex, large and simple, large and complex) according to their size and echotexture. US examinations were repeated every 2 weeks from the time of diagnosis to treatment. RESULTS: A total of 37 cases were included in the study. 32.4% of the cases regressed spontaneously in the prenatal period and 32.4% did so in the infantile period. Prenatal resolution occurred more frequently with small cysts than with large cysts (p = 0.03). Neonates with complex cysts required surgical treatment more often than neonates with simple cysts (p = 0.009). 27.0% of the cases underwent surgery due to ovarian torsion. The torsion rate of fetal ovarian cysts that progressed in the prenatal period was significantly higher than in the case of stable cysts (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The size of the fetal ovarian cysts, their US appearance and the progression of the cysts during follow-up are the main determinants of the neonatal outcome.