Maternal Perinatal Telemonitoring in the Context of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic in a Tertiary Health Center in Peru.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the characteristics of a telemonitoring program that was rapidly implemented in our institution as a response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, as well as the maternal and perinatal outcomes of women who attended this program. STUDY: DESIGN: Retrospective study of patients via phone-call telemonitoring during the peak period of the COVID-19 pandemic (May 2020-August 2020). Maternal and perinatal outcomes were collected and described. Health providers' satisfaction with the telemonitoring program was assessed via an email survey. RESULTS: Twenty-three (69.7%) health providers answered the survey. The mean age was 64.5 years, 91.3% were OB/GYN (obstetrician-gynecologist) doctors, and 95% agreed that telemonitoring is an adequate method to provide health care when in-person visits are difficult. The 78.7% of scheduled telemonitoring consultations were finally completed. We performed 2,181 telemonitoring consultations for 616 pregnant women and 544 telemonitoring consultations for puerperal women. Other medical specialties offering telemonitoring included gynecology, reproductive health, family planning, cardiology, endocrinology, and following up with patients with reactive serology to severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The majority of the population attending our telemonitoring program were categorized as the lowest strata, i.e., III and IV, according to the Human Development Index, and approximately 42% were deemed as high-risk pregnant women. Additionally, we reported the perinatal outcomes of 424 (63%) pregnant women, the most relevant finding being that approximately 53% of them had cesarean sections. CONCLUSION: Telemonitoring is an adequate method of continuing the provision of prenatal care when in-person visits are difficult in situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Telemonitoring is feasible even in institutions with no or little experience in telemedicine. The perinatal outcomes in women with telemonitoring seem to be similar to that in the general population. KEY POINTS: · Telemonitoring for prenatal care is feasible even in low-income countries and in a critical scenario.. · OB/GYN doctors agreed with that telemonitoring is an adequate method to provide prenatal care.. · Maternal and perinatal outcomes are similar in women attending a telemonitoring program..

Prediction of neonatal survival according to lung-to-head ratio in fetuses with right congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH): A multicentre study from the Latin American CDH Study Group registry.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate survival outcomes of fetuses with right sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) treated in Latin American centres and to assess the utility of left lung area to predict neonatal survival. METHODS: A retrospective cohort including isolated right sided CDH cases managed expectantly during pregnancy in six tertiary centers from five Latin American countries. The utility of the observed/expected lung-to-head ratio (O/E-LHR) in predicting neonatal survival was assessed, and the best cut-off to predict prognosis was automatically selected by decision tree analysis. RESULTS: A total of 99 right sided CDH cases were recruited, 58 isolated fetuses were selected at a median gestational age of 26.2 weeks, showing an overall survival rate of 26.2%. A linear trend was observed between survival and the O/E-LHR, showing that at higher O/E-LHR, the greater probability of survival (r = 0.56, p < 0.001). O/E-LHR discriminates two groups with different survival outcomes: fetuses with an O/E-LHR ≥65% showed a significantly higher survival rate than those with an O/E-LHR <65% (81.8% vs. 15.6%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Overall survival rate in right sided CDH is lower in Latin American countries. The severity category of pulmonary hypoplasia should be classified according to lung area and the survival rate in such population.

Severe fetal anaemia caused by congenital cytomegalovirus infection.

A 22-year-old pregnant woman was referred to our fetal medicine unit due to severe fetal growth restriction at 26 weeks of gestation. An extensive detailed ultrasound revealed signs of bilateral periventricular hyperechogenicity, suggesting fetal infection potentially due to cytomegalovirus (CMV). Doppler ultrasound showed a high peak systolic velocity in the middle cerebral artery. Percutaneous umbilical cord blood sampling confirmed fetal CMV infection and severe fetal anaemia. We present this case to highlight the importance of fetal anaemia, which can be fatal regardless of whether it is associated with generalised oedema or hydrops fetalis.

Open intrauterine repair of spina bifida aperta: Historical aspects, current availability, and clinical outcomes from the Latin American Spina Bifida Consortium.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the historical aspects, current availability, and clinical outcomes of open intrauterine repair of spina bifida aperta (IRSBA) in Spanish-speaking Latin American countries. METHODS: Cases were collected from centers with at least 2 years of experience and a minimum of 10 open IRSBA interventions by December 2020. Clinical variables were compared to the results of the Management of Myelomeningocele Study (MOMS) trial. RESULTS: Clinical experience with 314 cases from seven centers was reviewed. Most cases (n = 189, 60.2%) were performed between 24 and 25.9 weeks' gestation. Delivery at less than 30 weeks' gestation occurred in 36 cases (11.5%) and the overall perinatal mortality rate was 5.4% (17 of 314). The rate of maternal complications was low, including the need for blood transfusion (n = 3, 0.9%) and dehiscence or a thin uterine scar (n = 4, 1.3%). No cases of maternal death were recorded. Fifteen neonates required additional surgical repair of the spinal defect (4.8%) and 63 of 167 infants (37.7%) required a cerebrospinal fluid diversion procedure. Only two of the seven centers reported preliminary experience with fetoscopic IRSBA. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical experience and outcomes were within the expected results reported by the MOMS trial. There is still very limited experience with fetoscopic IRSBA in this part of the world.

Maternal clinical characteristics and perinatal outcomes among pregnant women with coronavirus disease 2019. A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the maternal clinical characteristics, maternal and perinatal outcomes in COVID-19-positive pregnant women. METHODS: Articles in all languages on the SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women were sought from MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and LILACS; China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP) and Wan Fang Data between December 1, 2019 and April 27, 2020. Bulletins and national reports were also searched. RESULTS: From 12,168 retrieved articles, 143 were selected for full-text assessment; 33 for descriptive analyses, and 4 case-controls for meta-analysis. In 322 infected pregnant women, aged 20-45 years, the most frequent maternal comorbidity was obesity (24.2%). Forty-two (28.4%) were asymptomatic at admission. Cough (n = 148,59.7%) and fever (n = 147,59.3%) were the most prevalent symptoms. In the meta-analysis, fever (OR: 0.13,95% CI 0.05 to 0.36) and cough (0.26,95% CI 0.11 to 0.59) were lower in pregnant women with COVID-19 than non-pregnant women with COVID-19.195 (60.6%) delivered, and 125 (38.8%) remained pregnant during the study. Cesarean was reported in 99 (50.8%) women and vaginal delivery in 64 (32.8%). The main adverse obstetric outcome was premature birth (n = 37,18.9%). Thirty patients (10.3%) with COVID-19-related complications required intensive care, one (0.3%) died. SARS-CoV-2 was absent in breast milk, amniotic fluid, placenta or umbilical cord blood. CONCLUSIONS: The maternal clinical characteristics of COVID-19-positive pregnant include frequently fever and cough; however significantly less frequently than non-pregnant women with COVID-19. Iatrogenic preterm birth is the main adverse obstetric outcome. Current data does not support vertical transmission in the third trimester.

EXIT (ex utero intrapartum treatment) surgery for the management of fetal airway obstruction: A systematic review of the literature.

PURPOSE: To provide a comprehensive overview of the perinatal and maternal outcomes of fetuses undergoing EXIT surgery for the management of fetal airway obstruction secondary to cervical or oral tumors. METHODS: A comprehensive search from inception to September 2018 was conducted on databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and LILACS. All studies that reported an EXIT surgery in singleton were considered eligible. A descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS: Out of the 250 full-text study reports, 120 articles reporting 235 cases of EXIT surgery were included. EXIT surgery was performed at 35.1 weeks of gestation on average. The most frequent diagnosis was teratoma (46.4%, n = 109/235). There were 13 adverse maternal events, and the most frequent one was postpartum hemorrhage (4.7%, n = 11/235). No maternal death was reported. Fetal and neonatal death occurred in 17% (40/235) of the cases. There were 29 adverse fetal events (12.2%), and the most frequent one was the failure of intubation or tracheostomy (3.4%, n = 8/235). CONCLUSION: EXIT surgery could be considered for the management of an oral or cervical tumor that's highly suspicious of blocking the fetal airway. This systematic review reports that EXIT surgery poses substantial risks of maternal and fetal adverse events, including neonatal death. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV case series with no comparison group.

Short Femur in the Second Trimester Scan Is Related to Maternal Preeclampsia and Small for Gestational Age Newborns.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the contribution of short femur diaphysis length (FDL) at 19-22 weeks of gestation in the prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: The study included singleton pregnant women who underwent a routine anomaly scan at 19-22 weeks of gestation at the Virgen de la Arrixaca University Clinical Hospital (Murcia, Spain) between August 2011 and August 2012. Fetal biometry and Doppler ultrasound of uterine arteries were assessed as part of the anomaly scan, and the mean pulsatility index of both uterine arteries was recorded. Maternal obstetric characteristics, such as ethnicity, age, weight, parity, cigarette smoking, and medical history including hypertension and diabetes mellitus were collected from our database system. RESULTS: A total of 6,366 women were included in the study after excluding cases with abnormal karyotype, major fetal abnormalities, or termination of pregnancy. There were 88 cases of preeclampsia (PE) (1.4%). Logistic regression was performed including maternal and fetal characteristics. Short FDL at 19-22 weeks was significantly associated with subsequent development of PE (OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.80-0.99, p = 0.025). The best model to predict PE from our sample included gestational age at scan, parity, maternal weight, chronic hypertension, mean pulsatility index in the uterine arteries, and FDL (AUC = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.71-0.84). Regarding small for gestational age (SGA) neonates, there were also significant differences in FDL and FDL <5th centile between the control group and SGA newborns below the 3rd, 5th, and 10th centile. In the groups of preterm births (delivery before 32, 34, and 37 weeks), there were no differences in FDL compared with the control group (term births). DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that FDL at 19-22 weeks of gestation is an independent predictor of PE and SGA newborns.

Corioangioma placentario gigante: a propósito del primer caso sometido a fetoscopia y fotocoagulación láser en el Perú / Giant placental chorangioma: Apropos of the first case treated by fetoscopy and laser photocoagulation in Peru

Placental chorioangioma is a non-trophoblastic benign tumor of rare presentation. It may be associated with complications of pregnancy when larger than 4 cm. We present the case of a pregnant adolescent with 25 weeks of gestation referred for prenatal management of a giant placental chorangioma that complicated pregnancy with hydramnios and severe fetal anemia. Fetoscopic laser ablation of the main nutrient vessel of the tumor was performed for the first time in Peru, which reversed complications and improved fetal prognosis.

El corioangioma placentario es una tumoración benigna no trofoblástica de muy rara presentación. Se asocia a complicaciones del embarazo cuando tiene dimensiones mayores a 4 cm. Se presenta el caso de una gestante adolescente de 25 semanas referida a nuestro servicio para manejo prenatal de un corioangioma placentario gigante que complicó el embarazo con polihidramnios y anemia fetal severa. Se realizó por primera vez en el Perú la ablación láser del vaso nutricio principal de la tumoración por fetoscopia, lo que logró revertir las complicaciones y mejorar el pronóstico fetal.

External iliac artery Doppler assessment in the prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential role of the mean external iliac artery pulsatility index (EIA-PI) as a predictor of adverse obstetric outcomes such as preeclampsia, gestational hypertension and small for gestational age (SGA). METHODS: In women attending for first trimester screening at 11 + 0-13 + 6 weeks of gestation, we recorded maternal characteristics and measured EIA mean PI and uterine artery mean PI. We compared EIA mean PI in those that developed preeclampsia (n = 84), gestational hypertension (n = 50) or small for gestational age (n = 444) with those unaffected (n = 3736). Regression analysis was used to first determine which of the factors among the maternal variables were significant predictors of EIA mean PI in the unaffected group and, second, to predict adverse pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: In the unaffected group, EIA mean PI increased with maternal age and decreased with mean blood pressure. Additionally, EIA mean PI was lower in cigarette smokers. Compared with the unaffected group, EIA mean PI was significantly lower in women who develop gestational hypertension or SGA below third centile. CONCLUSION: EIA mean PI in the first trimester is decreased in women who develop gestational hypertension and in those complicated by SGA below third centile. More studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Manejo prenatal del teratoma sacroccocígeo, a propósito del primer caso sometido a transfusión sanguínea intrauterina en el Perú / Prenatal management of sacroccocygeal teratoma, a propos of the first case subjected to intrauterine blood transfusion in Peru

El teratoma sacrococcígeo es una enfermedad rara en el feto, pero con alta mortalidad perinatal debido al secuestro de flujo sanguíneo y consiguiente desarrollo de anemia fetal severa. Presentamos el caso de una gestante de 27 semanas referida a nuestro servicio para manejo prenatal de un feto con teratoma sacrococcígeo gigante, que desarrolló anemia fetal severa y fue sometido a una transfusión intrauterina intravascular, la cual pudo prolongar el embarazo y mejorar los resultados perinatales.

Sacrococcygeal teratoma is a rare fetal disease but with high perinatal mortality due to sequestration of blood flow and consequent development of severe fetal anemia. We present the case of a 27 weeks pregnant woman referred to our service for prenatal management of a fetus with giant sacrococcygeal teratoma and severe anemia and who was subjected to intrauterine intravascular transfusion that could permit prolongation of the pregnancy and improve perinatal results.

Resultados perinatales en adolescentes nulíparas. Estudio de cohorte retrospectiva / Perinatal outcomes in nulliparous adolescents. A hospital-based retrospective cohort study

Objetivo. Explorar los resultados perinatales en gestantes adolescentes nulíparas comparado con gestantes nulíparas de 20-29 años de edad. Materiales y métodos. Estudio de cohorte histórica poblacional. La población fueron gestantes de 11-29 años de edad con parto único ≥ 24 semanas en el periodo 2008-2009. Se distinguió 2 cohortes: 1) cohorte de estudio: adolescentes nulíparas (n = 3.555), y 2) cohorte de adultas nulíparas de 20-29 (n = 7.040). Además del análisis bivariado, se realizó análisis de regresión logística para ajustar por las principales variables confusoras. Los resultados perinatales evaluados son: bajo peso al nacer, parto pretérmino, feto muerto anteparto, cesárea y puntaje Apgar menor de 7 a los 5 minutos. Resultados. El parto pretérmino < 37 semanas fue más frecuente entre adolescentes que en mujeres de 20-29 años (7,5 vs. 5,4% respectivamente, p < 0,001). No hubo diferencia en el número de recién nacidos con bajo peso al nacer < 2.500 g (6,8 vs. 5,8%, en adolescentes vs. adultas respectivamente, p = 0,05), en la tasa de parto pretérmino < 34 semanas (1,7 vs. 2,1%, en adolescentes vs. adultas respectivamente p = 0,17), ni < 28 semanas (0,4 vs. 0,3%, en adolescentes vs. adultas respectivamente p = 0,32). Tampoco hubo diferencia en el número de fetos muertos anteparto (0,7 vs. 1,0%, en adolescentes vs. adultas respectivamente p = 0,11) ni en el puntaje Apgar < 7 a los 5 minutos (0,4 vs. 0,4%, en adolescentes vs. adultas respectivamente p = 0,983). El análisis de regresión logística mostró diferencia significativa en el riesgo de parto pretérmino < 37 semanas (OR = 1,3, IC 95%: 1,1-1,6), pero no de bajo peso al nacer < 2.500 g (OR = 1,0, IC 95% 0,8-1.3). Conclusiones. El embarazo en adolescentes nulíparas se asoció a parto pretérmino < 37 semanas. Otros resultados perinatales adversos como: bajo peso al nacer, puntaje Apgar < 7 a los 5 minutos y feto muerto anteparto no estuvieron asociados con embarazo en adolescentes nulíparas (AU)

Objective. To analyse perinatal outcomes in nulliparous adolescents compared with nulliparous women aged 20-29 years. Material and methods. This large hospital-based retrospective cohort study included singleton births at ≥ 24 weeks to women younger than 30 years from 2008 to 2009. The There were two cohorts: a) a study cohort consisting of nulliparous adolescents aged 11 to 19 years (n = 3555), and b) a control cohort comprising nulliparous women aged 20-29 years (n = 7040). In addition to a bivariate analysis, logistic regression was performed to adjust for confounding variables. Perinatal outcomes included low birth weight, preterm delivery, antepartum foetal death, caesarean section, and Apgar score at five minutes < 7. Results. Preterm delivery < 37 weeks was more frequent among adolescents than among women aged 20–29 years (7.5% vs 5.4% respectively, p < 0.001). There was no difference in the number of neonates with low birthweight < 2500 g (6.8% vs 5.8% in adolescents vs adults, respectively, p = 0.05), the rate of preterm delivery < 34 weeks (1.7% vs 2.1% in adolescents vs adults, respectively, p = 0.17), or in preterm delivery < 28 weeks (0.4% vs 0.3% in adolescents vs. adults, respectively, p = 0.32). There were no differences in antepartum foetal deaths (0.7% vs 1.0% in adolescents vs adults, respectively, p = 0.11) or in Apgar score < 7 at 5 minutes (0.4% vs 0.4% in adolescents vs adults, respectively, p = 0.983). Logistic regression analysis showed a significant difference in the risk of preterm delivery < 37 weeks (OR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1-1.6), but not in low birthweight < 2500 g (OR = 1.0, 95% CI 0.8–1.3). Conclusions. Preterm delivery < 37 weeks was more frequent in nulliparous adolescents than in women aged 20-29 years. There was no association between pregnancy in nulliparous adolescents and other adverse perinatal outcomes such as low birth weight, low Apgar score and antepartum foetal death (AU)

Prediction of Fetal Growth Restriction by Analyzing the Messenger RNAs of Angiogenic Factor in the Plasma of Pregnant Women.

OBJECTIVE: To predict the occurrence of fetal growth restriction (FGR) by analyzing messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 [Flt-1]) in maternal blood. STUDY DESIGN: Eleven women with FGR were matched with 88 controls. Plasma samples were obtained during each trimester. The Flt-1 mRNA expression levels were compared between groups. Predicted probabilities were calculated, and sensitivity-specificity (receiver-operating characteristic [ROC]) curves were assessed based on regression models for each trimester measurement and possible combinations of measurements. RESULTS: The mRNA levels of the FGR group during all trimesters were significantly higher than those of the control group. The ROC curve of combined first and second trimester data yielded a detection rate of 60% at a 10% false-positive rate, with an area under curve of 0.79. CONCLUSION: The Flt-1 mRNA expression in maternal blood can be used as a marker to predict the development of FGR, long before a clinical diagnosis is made.

Uterine and umbilical artery Doppler at 28 weeks for predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with abnormal uterine artery Doppler findings in the early second trimester.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the contribution of uterine (UtA) and umbilical arteries (UA) Doppler examination at 28 weeks to predict adverse pregnancy outcomes in women who had increased resistance in UtA in the early second trimester. METHODS: Women with UtA mean pulsatility index (PI) above the 95th centile at 19-22 weeks of gestation were offered a growth scan including Doppler examination of UtA and UA at 28 weeks. Adverse pregnancy outcomes included small for gestational age (SGA), defined as birth weight below the tenth centile, preeclampsia (PE) and early-onset PE (PE before 34 weeks). RESULTS: We studied 266 pregnant women with elevated PI in the UtAs in the second trimester and ultrasound reassessment at 28 weeks. UtA PI >95th centile at 28 weeks was associated with subsequent PE [odds ratio (OR): 10.0, 95% CI: 2.3-43.5], early-onset PE (OR: 57.7, 95% CI: 3.8-87.6) and SGA less than the tenth centile (OR: 5.5, 2.2-13.9). UA PI >95th centile at 28 weeks was not significantly associated with any adverse outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In women with abnormal UtA Doppler in the early second trimester scan, persistence of elevated UtA PI, but not abnormal UA PI, is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes including PE, early-onset PE and SGA. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Effects of maternal smoking on the placental expression of genes related to angiogenesis and apoptosis during the first trimester.

OBJECTIVE: Maternal cigarette smoking is reportedly associated with miscarriage, fetal growth restriction and placental abruption, and is paradoxically associated with a decreased risk of developing preeclampsia. In the present study, we investigated the gene expression levels of villous tissues in early gestation. We compared the expression levels of the genes related to angiogenesis and apoptosis in the villous tissues obtained from smoking and non-smoking pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected villous tissue samples from 57 women requesting surgical termination due to non-medical reasons at 6-8 weeks of gestation. The maternal cigarette smoking status was evaluated by the level of serum cotinine and patients were divided into active smokers and non-smokers by the serum cotinine level. The placental levels of VEGFA, PGF, FLT1, HIF1A, TP53, BAX and BCL2 mRNA were quantified by real time PCR. RESULTS: The gene expression level of PGF and HIF1A in the active smoker group was significantly higher than that in the non-smoker group. We did not observe any significant differences in the VEGFA or FLT1 expression between the groups. In active smoker group, the gene expression levels of TP53 and BAX were significantly higher than those in the non-smoker group. The ratio of BAX/BCL2 mRNA in the active smoker group was significantly higher than that in the non-smoker group. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed that smoking might affect the placenta during early pregnancy. Maternal cigarette smoking in early pregnancy may be associated with villus hypoxia, which may influence angiogenesis and apoptosis.

Umbilical artery Doppler at 19 to 22 weeks of gestation in the prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the clinical utility of Doppler assessment of the umbilical artery in the second trimester scan for predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: Singleton pregnancies that had undergone routine anomaly scan at 19 to 22 weeks of gestation with umbilical and uterine artery Doppler measurements. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to evaluate the ability of umbilical artery pulsatility index (PI) to predict small for gestational age and preeclampsia. RESULTS: The final study population comprised 4565 singleton pregnancies. Multiple regression analysis showed significant independent contribution of umbilical artery PI in predicting SGA <10th and SGA <5th centiles (adjusted odds ratios of 2.51 and 3.51, respectively). By using a cutoff of umbilical artery PI >90th centile, the likelihood ratio of SGA <5th centile is 2.3 (95% CI: 1.7-3.0). CONCLUSIONS: Umbilical artery PI at 19 to 22 weeks of gestation is significantly associated with SGA below the tenth and fifth centiles. A multivariate model combining umbilical and uterine artery Doppler measurements with additional maternal and sonographic characteristics may help predict small for gestational age, particularly those below the fifth centile.

Maternal smoking and placental expression of a panel of genes related to angiogenesis and oxidative stress in early pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: Maternal cigarette smoking is paradoxically associated with a decreased risk of developing preeclampsia. Since preeclampsia is thought to be associated with altered mechanisms of angiogenesis and oxidative stress, we aim to investigate the influence of maternal smoking on the early placental expression of a panel of genes related to angiogenesis and oxidative stress. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We collected villous tissue samples at 6-7 and 10-11 weeks of gestation from 31 women requesting surgical termination. Placental expression of the following genes were quantified by real-time PCR: vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), fms-like tyrosine kinase (Flt-1), soluble endoglin (sEng), placental growth factor (PlGF), heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX-1) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Maternal smoking status was assessed by levels of serum cotinine. RESULTS: Placental expression of VEGFA was significantly higher in smoking women at 10-11 weeks of gestation compared with nonsmoking women at the same gestational age. There was no significant difference at 6-7 weeks of gestation. There was no variation in the expression of the other genes explored related to smoking status. CONCLUSIONS: Here we report that VEGFA placental expression was higher in smoking women at 10-11 weeks of gestation. Increased VEGFA expression in the early stages of pregnancy in smoking women might contribute to the decreased risk of developing preeclampsia.

Increased levels of cell-free human placental lactogen mRNA at 28-32 gestational weeks in plasma of pregnant women with placenta previa and invasive placenta.

We compared the levels of cell-free human placental lactogen (hPL) messenger RNA (mRNA) in maternal plasma at 28 to 32 weeks of gestation between women with diagnosis of placenta previa or invasive placenta and women with an uneventful pregnancy. Sensitivity and specificity of hPL mRNA for the prediction of invasive placenta were further explored. Plasma hPL mRNA were quantified by real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in women with placenta previa (n = 13), invasive placenta (n = 5), and normal pregnancies (n = 92). Median (range) hPL mRNA was significantly higher in women with placenta previa, 782 (10-2301) copies/mL of plasma, and in those with invasive placenta, 615 (522-2102) copies/mL of plasma, when compared to normal pregnancies, 90 (4-4407) copies/mL of plasma, P < .01 and P < .05, respectively. We found a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 61.5% for the prediction of invasive placenta among women with placenta previa. In conclusion, expression of hPL mRNA is increased in plasma of women with placenta previa and invasive placenta at 28 to 32 weeks of gestation.

Non-invasive prenatal diagnosis from the perspective of a low-resource country.

Current clinical practice in obstetrics has shifted the paradigm from a conventional prenatal approach based on invasive procedures, risking both fetus and mother, to non-invasive prenatal testing for some fetal conditions via the analysis of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal blood. In the past 15 years, much research has been devoted to refining the methodology for measuring cell-free fetal DNA in maternal circulation and to exploring clinical applications of this technology as a potential tool for prenatal diagnosis. Since the rapid spread around the world of prenatal diagnosis based on cell-free fetal DNA, it is time to start thinking how this cutting-edge technology might influence current practice of obstetrics in low-resource countries.