Missed abortion in the 11-21-week period: Fetal autopsy and placental histopathological analysis of 794 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Missed abortion (MA) is a type of miscarriage with multiple etiological factors that refers to fetal death with a failure of the retained intrauterine product of conception to be discharged spontaneously. Currently fetal death in missed abortion is categorized according to three main causes: Fetal, placental, and maternal factors. The aim of the current study was to contribute and increase knowledge in clinical practice of late first and second trimester MA (Gestational age: week 11 + 0 - week 20 + 6). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective case series study includes 794 cases of fetuses and matching placentas sent to the Section of Perinatal Pathology, Department of Pathology, Karolinska Hospital between 2003 and 2019 from five different gynecology departments in the Stockholm region, Sweden. RESULTS: The cases were divided into two groups according to gestational length; gestational week 11 + 0-14 + 6 (group A) and 15 + 0-20 + 6 (group B) respectively, and comparisons were made between groups. Fetal growth restriction and placental pathology were more common in late MA, but number of cases with malformation were higher in early MA. Cord pathology was seen in approximately 40 % of the cases and equally distributed in the gestational weeks included. DISCUSSION: Fetal growth restriction and placental pathology were more common in late second trimester MA. This might demonstrate an early placental dysfunction affecting fetal growth and may be associated to maternal comorbidity such as autoimmune disease and cardiovascular disease. It is advisable to investigate maternal factors more closely after late second trimester MA before a future pregnancy. The risk for recurrent MA is believed to be low in cases of significant cord pathology. CONCLUSION: Cord complications were over-represented in missed abortion suggesting a probable etiopathogenetic link to fetal demise in this condition.

Pregnancy, antiseizure medications and unexplained intrauterine foetal death.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of antiseizure medication (ASM) regimens and other factors in relation to the occurrence of intrauterine foetal death (IUFD) in pregnant women with epilepsy (WWE) enrolled in the Raoul Wallenberg Australian Pregnancy Register of Antiepileptic Drugs (APR). RESULTS: IUFDs occurred in 70 (3.01 %) of 2,323 prospective pregnancies from WWE with known outcomes in the APR. Factors associated with IUFD occurrence included older maternal age, enrolment in the APR at an earlier stage of pregnancy, history of pregnancies which did not result in livebirths, parental history of foetal malformations, and maternal use of carbamazepine, lamotrigine or ethosuximide. Individual ASM dosages were not associated with IUFD occurrence. Relative to no exposure, the risk of IUFD increased with the increasing number of ASMs used in combination (2 ASMs: relative risk, RR = 5.45 [95 % CI: 0.73-41.80]; 3 ASMs: RR = 10.70 [95 % CI: 1.27-90.17]), >3 ASMs: RR = 10.70 [95 % CI: 1.27-90.17]), but this finding was attenuated after adjusting for other factors implicated in IUFD occurrence. Several ASM pairs were associated with an increased risk of IUFD relative to no exposure, but these associations were lost after accounting for confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Although it is possible that prenatal ASM exposure may increase the risk of IUFD, other non-pharmacological factors are more relevant to the occurrence to IUFD in pregnant WWE.

Monochorionic triplet pregnancy complicated by conjoined twins and early twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The condition of monozygotic, monochorionic triplet fetuses with a pair of conjoined twins is extremely rare (close to one in a million births), presents challenges in its management, and with poor prognosis. CASE REPORT: We report a case of monochorionic diamniotic triplet pregnancy, ultrasound at 14 weeks shows a pair of conjoined thoracopagus fetuses, sharing heart, liver, and umbilical cord, in addition to omphalocele. The third fetus, without malformations, presents signs of early heart failure compatible with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. It was decided to carry out expectant management where at 18 weeks, intrauterine death of the three fetuses occurs. An abortion is performed by hysterotomy. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment in these cases is discussed, three management options have been proposed: expectant management, selective reduction of the conjoined fetuses, or termination of the pregnancy. A review of the literature found only 12 cases with this combination of pathologies, in which only 3 normal fetuses (25%) survived and none of the conjoined twins survived. To our knowledge, this case is the first of a monochorionic triplet pregnancy with conjoined fetuses complicated with early twin-to-twin transfusion.

Maternal COVID-19 infection and intrauterine fetal death: Impact on the placenta and fetus.

BACKGROUND: Placental damage due to viral infections increases risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. Histopathologic examination of placenta can provide information regarding association between infection and outcome. There is paucity of data describing placental pathology with respect to intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) in pregnant mothers affected with COVID-19. METHODS: 4 fetuses and 10 placentas, including one twin placenta from 9 women with history of IUFD and SARS-CoV-2 infection underwent evaluation. These findings were contrasted with 3 fetuses and 21 gestational age matched placentas from non-infected women with history of IUFD. RESULTS: Extensive gross placental lesions, mixture of histologic features (maternal/ fetal vascular malperfusion) and isolated cases of massive perivillous fibrin depositon and chronic intervillositis were observed in COVID-IUFD group. There were no distinguishing histologic findings when compared to control. Three fetuses showed signs of intraventricular/intraparenchymal hemorrhage in autopsy. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that IUFD does not correspond with maternal symptoms and lacks distinctive lesion. However, there was significant placental damage which developed rapidly. These results show that SARS-CoV-2 infection results in rapid placental deterioration and fetal death. This information can be used to educate infected mothers and remind medical professionals, value of monitoring placental function especially following diagnosis of infection.

The application of the ICD-10 for antepartum stillbirth patients in a referral centre of Eastern China: a retrospective study from 2015 to 2022.

BACKGROUND: The causes of some stillbirths are unclear, and additional work must be done to investigate the risk factors for stillbirths. OBJECTIVE: To apply the International Classification of Disease-10 (ICD-10) for antepartum stillbirth at a referral center in eastern China. METHODS: Antepartum stillbirths were grouped according to the cause of death according to the International Classification of Disease-10 (ICD-10) criteria. The main maternal condition at the time of antepartum stillbirth was assigned to each patient. RESULTS: Antepartum stillbirths were mostly classified as fetal deaths of unspecified cause, antepartum hypoxia. Although more than half of the mothers were without an identified condition at the time of the antepartum stillbirth, where there was a maternal condition associated with perinatal death, maternal medical and surgical conditions and maternal complications during pregnancy were most common. Of all the stillbirths, 51.2% occurred between 28 and 37 weeks of gestation, the main causes of stillbirth at different gestational ages also differed. Autopsy and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) were recommended in all stillbirths, but only 3.6% received autopsy and 10.5% underwent chromosomal microarray analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The ICD-10 is helpful in classifying the causes of stillbirths, but more than half of the stillbirths in our study were unexplained; therefore, additional work must be done. And the ICD-10 score may need to be improved, such as by classifying stillbirths according to gestational age. Autopsy and CMA could help determine the cause of stillbirth, but the acceptance of these methods is currently low.

Predictors of fetal death, neonatal survival and neurological outcomes in severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome treated by laser ablation of placental vessels.

OBJECTIVES: To identify predictors of outcomes in severe twin oligo-polyhydramnios sequence (TOPS) with or without twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS) and/or selective fetal growth restriction (SFGR) treated by laser ablation of placental vessels (LAPV). METHODS: Analysis of cases treated from 2011 to 2022. Variables evaluated Prenatal predictors: stages of TOPS, presence of TAPS and/or SFGR; pre-LAPV fetal ultrasound parameters; peri-LAPV variables. Perinatal predictors: GA at birth; birthweight; Apgar scores; transfontanellar ultrasonography (TFUS). OUTCOME VARIABLES: fetal death, neonatal survival, infant's neurodevelopment. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to detect predictors of outcomes. RESULTS: 265 cases were included. Predictors of post-LAPV donor fetus' death were delta EFW (p:0.045) and absent/reverse end-diastolic flow in the umbilical artery (AREDF-UA) (p < 0.001). The predictor of post-LAPV recipient fetus' death was hydrops (p:0.009). Predictors of neonatal survival were GA at birth and Apgar scores. Predictors of infant's neurodevelopment were TFUS and pre-LAPV middle cerebral artery Doppler (MCAD) for the donor twin; and pre-LAPV ductus venosus' flow and MCAD for the recipient twin. CONCLUSIONS: Prediction of fetal death, neonatal survival and infant's neurodevelopment is possible in cases of TOPS associated or not with SFGR and/or TAPS that were treated by LAPV.

Genomics of stillbirth.

Stillbirth, defined as fetal death at 20 weeks gestation or later, is a devastating pregnancy outcome affecting 1 in 175 pregnancies in the United States. Although efforts to understand the etiology of stillbirth have expanded, 25 % of cases remain unexplained and some cases previously thought to be explained may have additional unknown causative factors. Determining an etiology for stillbirth is important for clinical management and for grieving families to obtain closure, to find meaning, and to understand recurrence risks. However, the evaluation of stillbirth is not completed uniformly despite American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) guidelines and stillbirth data is frequently incomplete due to lack of genomic analysis, fetal autopsy, and placental pathology. Karyotype and chromosomal microarray have been the gold standard in genetic analysis in perinatal medicine for many years, but next generation sequencing holds promise towards improving diagnostic yields and providing clarity for both clinicians and patients.

Massive perivillous fibrin deposition: Diagnosis, obstetrical features, and treatment.

MPVFD (Massive perivillous fibrin deposition) is placental lesion characterized by extensive massive deposits of fibrin in the intervillous space, extending over at least 25 % of the placental volume. Currently, this pathology can only be detected through histopathological examination of the placenta after a pregnancy has ended. The underlying mechanisms are poorly studied, there is no biomarker available for the diagnosis of MPVFD and treatment protocols are experimental and still lacking. The objective of this study is to systematically review the literature on the associated clinicopathologic features, treatment, and prognosis of MPVFD. We ended up with 17 studies, of these 12 studies were considered relevant for this article and included in the final analysis. All studies reporting MPVFD are retrospective. MPVFD is associated with recurrent miscarriage, intra uterine fetal death (IUFD), intra uterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preterm delivery. The prevalence in pregnancies with a delivery after 22 weeks of gestation was at 1.1 % and even higher to 2.7 % in recurrent early miscarriages. The reported risk of fetal death in MPVFD ranges mainly from 15 to 80 %. Preterm delivery is spontaneous in 50 to 70 % of cases and induced by of a severe intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in 30 to 50 % of cases depending on the study. Its causes and treatment are still poorly understood, although several avenues have been explored. This review summarizes current understanding of the prevalence, diagnostic features, clinical consequences, immune pathology, and potential prophylaxis against recurrence in this chronic inflammatory placental syndrome.

Prenatal Risk Factors and Outcomes of Pseudoamniotic Band Sequence following Fetoscopic Laser Surgery: Systematic Review, and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pseudoamniotic band sequence (PABS) is a rare iatrogenic consequence of invasive fetal interventions, most commonly fetoscopic laser surgery (FLS) in monochorionic multiple pregnancies complicated by twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate prenatal risk factors and perinatal outcomes for pregnancies involving PABS after FLS for TTTS and compare outcomes between those undergoing fetoscopic band release versus not. METHOD: We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science on studies reporting PABS following FLS for TTTS. A meta-analysis of pooled proportions was conducted. RESULTS: There were 16 studies covering 47 pregnancies complicated by PABS following FLS, mostly case series and case reports. The incidence of PABS was 2%, with the recipient twin affected in 94% of the cases. Pregnancies complicated by PABS were associated with inter-twin septostomy in 32% and chorioamniotic separation (CAS) in 90%. The mean gestational age (GA) at FLS and delivery were 17.7 and 30.9 weeks, respectively. Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) happened in 62% of pregnancies. The risk of preterm birth (PTB) <34 weeks, <32 weeks, and <28 weeks were 94%, 67%, and 31%, respectively. There were 41% fetal demises and 64% live births among the affected fetuses. Results of fetoscopic band release versus not were comparable, including GA at delivery, PPROM, and PTB at 32 weeks. It was noted that the likelihood of PTB by 28 weeks (67% vs. 23%) and fetal death (50% vs. 39%) were higher in the band release group. It was similar between groups in terms of postnatal amputation. CONCLUSIONS: PABS causes amputations or fetal death in more than one-third of cases. Pregnancies with an inter-twin septostomy, CAS, advanced TTTS staging, and early GA are more likely to experience PABS. In addition, more than a third of FLS-treated TTTS resulted in PTB and PPROM. PABS cases with prenatal band release showed higher rates of PTB and fetal death, but the data were from small, heterogeneous studies.

Selective fetal growth restriction in dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy: systematic review and meta-analysis of pregnancy and perinatal outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Most of the published literature on selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR) has focused on monochorionic twin pregnancies. The aim of this systematic review was to report on the outcome of dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) twin pregnancies complicated by sFGR. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library databases were searched. The inclusion criteria were DCDA twin pregnancies complicated by sFGR. The outcomes explored were intrauterine death (IUD), neonatal death and perinatal death (PND), survival of at least one and both twins, preterm birth (PTB) (either spontaneous or iatrogenic) prior to 37, 34, 32 and 28 weeks' gestation, pre-eclampsia (PE) or gestational hypertension, neurological, respiratory and infectious morbidity, Apgar score < 7 at 5 min, necrotizing enterocolitis, retinopathy of prematurity and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). A composite outcome of neonatal morbidity, defined as the occurrence of respiratory, neurological or infectious morbidity, was also evaluated. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to analyze the data, and results are reported as pooled proportion or odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI. RESULTS: Thirteen studies reporting on 1339 pregnancies with sFGR and 6316 pregnancies without sFGR were included. IUD occurred in 2.6% (95% CI, 1.1-4.7%) of fetuses from DCDA pregnancies with sFGR and 0.6% (95% CI, 0.3-9.7%) of those from DCDA pregnancies without sFGR, while the respective values for PND were 5.2% (95% CI, 3.5-7.3%) and 1.7% (95% CI, 0.1-5.7%). Spontaneous or iatrogenic PTB before 37 weeks complicated 84.1% (95% CI, 55.6-99.2%) of pregnancies with sFGR and 69.1% (95% CI, 45.4-88.4%) of those without sFGR. The respective values for PTB before 34, 32 and 28 weeks were 18.4% (95% CI, 4.4-38.9%), 13.0% (95% CI, 9.5-17.1%) and 1.5% (95% CI, 0.6-2.3%) in pregnancies with sFGR and 10.2% (95% CI, 3.1-20.7%), 7.8% (95% CI, 6.8-9.0%) and 1.8% (95% CI, 1.3-2.4%) in those without sFGR. PE or gestational hypertension complicated 19.9% (95% CI, 12.4-28.6%) of pregnancies with sFGR and 12.8% (95% CI, 10.4-15.4%) of those without sFGR. Composite morbidity occurred in 28.2% (95% CI, 7.8-55.1%) of fetuses from pregnancies with sFGR and 13.9% (95% CI, 6.5-23.5%) of those from pregnancies without sFGR. When stratified according to the sFGR status within a twin pair, composite morbidity occurred in 39.0% (95% CI, 11.1-71.5%) of growth-restricted fetuses and 29.9% (95% CI, 3.5-65.0%) of appropriately grown fetuses (OR, 1.9 (95% CI, 1.7-3.1)), while the respective values for PND were 3.0% (95% CI, 1.8-4.5%) and 1.6% (95% CI, 0.9-2.6%) (OR, 2.1 (95% CI, 1.0-4.1)). On risk analysis, DCDA pregnancies complicated by sFGR had a significantly higher risk of IUD (OR, 5.2 (95% CI, 3.2-8.6)) and composite morbidity or admission to the NICU (OR, 3.2 (95% CI, 1.9-5.6)) compared to those without sFGR, while there was no difference in the risk of PTB before 34 weeks (P = 0.220) or PE/gestational hypertension (P = 0.210). CONCLUSIONS: DCDA twin pregnancies complicated by sFGR are at high risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality. The findings of this systematic review are relevant for counseling and management of complicated DCDA twin pregnancies, in which twin-specific, rather than singleton, outcome data should be used. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Placental Lesions Associated With Stillbirth by Gestational Age, as Related to Cause of Death: Follow-Up Results From the Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network.

BACKGROUND: We previously identified placental lesions associated with stillbirths of varying gestational ages (GA) using advanced feature analysis. We further investigated the relationships between placental lesions and cause of death in stillbirths within these GA ranges. METHODS: Using data from the Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network, we derived a sample of stillbirths who underwent placental examination and Initial Causes of Fetal Death (INCODE) evaluation for determining cause of death. We then compared the rates of causes of death within and among GA ranges (extreme preterm stillbirth [PTSB] [<28 weeks], early PTSB [28-336/7 weeks], late PTSB [34-366/7 weeks], term stillbirth [≥37 weeks]) according to the presence of these lesions. RESULTS: We evaluated 352 stillbirths. In extreme PTSB, obstetric complications and infections were associated with acute funisitis. In early PTSB, uteroplacental insufficiency was associated with parenchymal infarcts. In term stillbirth (vs early PTSB), increased syncytial knots were associated with umbilical cord causes and infection. CONCLUSIONS: Placental lesions of high importance in distinguishing stillbirths at different GAs are associated with specific causes of death. This information is important in relating the presence of placental lesions and fetal death and in helping to understand etiologies of stillbirths at different GAs.

Fetal and Neonatal Autopsy in the Molecular Age: Exploring Tissue Selection for Testing Success.

While conventional autopsy is the gold-standard for determining cause of demise in the fetal and neonatal population, molecular analysis is increasingly used as an ancillary tool. Testing methods and tissue selection should be optimized to provide informative genetic results. This institutional review compares testing modalities and postmortem tissue type in 53 demises occurring between 20 weeks of gestation and 28 days of life. Testing success, defined as completion of analysis, varies by technique and may require viable cells for culture or extractable nucleic acid. Success was achieved by microarray in 29/30 tests (96.7%), karyotype in 40/54 tests (74.1%), fluorescent in situ hybridization in 5/9 tests (55.6%), and focused gene panels in 2/2 tests (100%). With respect to tissue type, postmortem prepartum amniotic fluid was analyzed to completion in 100% of tests performed; compared to 84.0%, 54.5%, and 80.8% of tests using placenta, fetal only, and mixed fetal-placental tissue collection, respectively. Sampling skin (83.3%, in cases with minimal maceration) and kidney (75.0%) were often successful, compared to lower efficacy of umbilical cord (57.1%) and liver (25.0%). Addition of genetic testing into cases with anomalous clinical and gross findings can increase the utility of the final report for family counseling and future pregnancy planning.

Twin Gestation With Spontaneous Reduction To Singleton.

Twin gestations are at increased risk of single intrauterine fetal death. A first-trimester loss is a common complication in twin gestations. The rate of co-twin morbidity and mortality is higher when a single demise occurs in the second and third trimesters. Monochorionicity strongly influences the prognosis for the surviving co-twin. Fetal ultrasound combined with MRI may be able to help predict neurological injury to the surviving co-twin. The rate of co-twin demise decreases with advancing gestation. After single intrauterine fetal demise, monochorionic gestations should be delivered by 34 weeks and dichorionic by 36 to 37 weeks gestation.

Assessment of Severity of Long QT Syndrome Phenotype and Risk of Fetal Death.

BACKGROUND: It has been postulated that long QT syndrome (LQTS) can cause fetal loss through putative adverse effects of the channelopathy on placenta and myometrial function. The authors aimed to describe the fetal death rate in a population of pregnant women with long QT syndrome and investigate whether women with more severe phenotype had worse fetal outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: The authors retrospectively evaluated fetal outcomes of 64 pregnancies from 23 women with long QT syndrome followed during pregnancy in a tertiary pregnancy and heart disease program. Thirteen of 64 pregnancies (20%) resulted in a fetal loss, 12 miscarriages (19%), and 1 stillbirth (1.6%). Baseline maternal characteristics, including age and use of ß-blockers, did not differ between women who experienced a fetal death or not. Maternal corrected QT interval (QTc) was significantly longer in pregnancies that resulted in fetal death compared with live births (median, 518 ms [interquartile range (IQR), 482-519 ms] versus 479 ms [IQR, 454-496 ms], P<0.001). Mothers treated with ß-blockers had babies born at term with lower birth weight compared with untreated women (2973±298 g versus 3470±338 g, P=0.002). In addition, the birth weight of babies born at term to treated women with QTc >500 ms was significantly lower compared with women with QTc <500 ms (2783±283 g versus 3084±256 g, P=0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Women with long QT syndrome with more severe phenotypes have a higher incidence of fetal death. Maternal QTc is longer in pregnancies that result in fetal loss, and the birth weight of babies born to patients taking ß-blockers with a QTc >500 ms is lower, suggesting that patients with more marked phenotype may experience worse fetal outcomes.

Fulminant type 1 diabetes linked with fetal death in utero.

Fulminant type 1 diabetes is a relatively new subtype of type 1 diabetes characterised by a sudden onset of severe diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in patients with no history of diabetes and can cause imminent death if untreated. We discuss a rare case of a Pacific Islander woman who was 36 weeks pregnant and presented to the emergency department with DKA and fetal death in utero having had a normal glucose tolerance test 4 weeks earlier. She was diagnosed with fulminant type 1 diabetes and was treated with an intravenous insulin-dextrose infusion. She delivered a stillborn female infant and was discharged on regular subcuticular insulin. This case is helpful in understanding a rare, lethal disease that is not well reported globally and especially in Australia, as it requires prompt recognition and treatment to prevent detrimental outcomes.

Intrauterine death in vasa previa without hemorrhage: case reports.

Antepartum and intrapartum hemorrhage from vasa previa (VP) is one of the main causes of intrauterine fetal death (IUFD). Here, we present two cases with type I VP in which velamentous cord insertion below the fetal head and overlying the cervix were reported by prenatal ultrasound scanning, and IUFD occoured after 35 weeks with no signs of prenatal bleeding but with engaged fetal head at presentation. We hypothesized that the IUFD may attributed to the compression of the unprotected umbilical vessels by the engaged fetal head. Thus we suggest that VP with a velamentous cord insertion should be considered for earlier termination of the pregnancy to avoid the risk of non-hemorrhagic adverse fetal outcomes.

Postmortem diagnosis of severe factor X deficiency in a fetus with intracranial hemorrhage resulting in intrauterine death.

In patients with severe congenital factor X deficiency, spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is particularly frequent in early childhood. We describe a case of fetal death at 26 weeks due to massive ICH. Gene panel analysis of postmortem samples revealed homozygosity for a pathologic F10 gene variant (c.1210T>C, p.Cys404Arg), which impedes correct folding of the catalytic serine protease domain and, therefore, causes a significant reduction in FX levels. The parents, not consanguineous but of the same ethnic community, were found to be heterozygous for this variant and did not have any personal or family history of abnormal bleeding. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of severe FX deficiency resulting in ICH diagnosed through postmortem genetic analysis. It illustrates the importance of exploring the etiology of fetal or neonatal ICH, which may impact future pregnancies, and the treatment of a potential coagulopathy in the child.

"Prevalence and secular trend of neural tube defects in fetal deaths in Argentina, 1994-2019".

BACKGROUND: Fetal deaths are a major source of information on the epidemiology of neural tube defects (NTDs; anencephaly and myelomeningocele). We analyzed NTDs prevalence and secular trend using fetal death records between 1994 and 2019 in Argentina. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were obtained from the Department of Statistics and Information of the Ministry of Health (DEIS). Using the number of fetal deaths due to anencephaly and myelomeningocele, we estimated the proportion of all fetal deaths due to anencephaly, myelomeningocele, and NTDs (anencephaly + myelomeningocele) during pre- and post-fortification period in Argentina. We also estimated the ratio of fetal deaths due to anencephaly, myelomeningocele, and NTDs (anencephaly + myelomeningocele) to 10,000 live births. Secular trend in the outcomes was analyzed using a Poisson model and Joinpoint regression analysis. RESULTS: In the entire period analyzed, the NTD proportion on fetal deaths was 1.32. In 1994, NTDs accounted for 34.7% of congenital malformations fetal deaths (CM) and 1.7% of all fetal deaths, whereas in 2019, these percentages were 9.4% and 0.5%, respectively. NTDs present a negative secular trend (p < .05). The risk of fetal death due to anencephaly and myelomeningocele decreases between 2005 and 2019 by 67% and 51% respectively (p < .05) in comparison to the period between 1994 and 2004 before the effective fortification of wheat flour used in the food industry destined for the domestic market. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We found a significant decrease in the risk of all fetal deaths due to NTDs, particularly anencephaly, in Argentina over the study period, with most reduction observed during the mandatory flour fortification era (introduced in Argentina in 2002). The inclusion of fetal deaths in NTD surveillance, coupled or uncoupled with other pregnancy outcomes, is essential for monitoring preventive supplementation measures.

Triple repeated fetal congenital heart disease linked to PLD1 mutation: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Congenital heart disease occurs in approximately 1 in 100 cases. Although sibling occurrence is high (3-9%), the causative genes for this disease are still being elucidated. PLD1 (Phospholipase D1) is a recently discovered gene; however, few case reports have been published on it. In this report, we describe a case of triplicate fetal congenital heart disease that was diagnosed as a PDL1 mutation. Our objective is to explore the clinical manifestations of PLD1 mutations in this particular case. CASE PRESENTATION: A 32-year-old Japanese woman (gravida, para 0) was introduced since fetus four chamber view was not clear and was diagnosed with ductus arteriosus-dependent left ventricular single ventricle and pulmonary atresia at 21 weeks and 1 day of gestation during her first pregnancy. Artificial abortion using Gemeprost was performed at 21 weeks and 5 days of gestation. The second pregnancy was diagnosed as pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum with cardiomegaly, a cardiothoracic area ratio of more than 35%, and a circulatory shunt at 13 weeks and 3 days of gestation. Subsequently, intrauterine fetal death was confirmed at 14 weeks and 3 days of gestation. Regarding the third pregnancy, fetal ultrasonography at 11 weeks and 5 days of gestation showed mild fetal hydrops and moderate tricuspid valve regurgitation. At 16 weeks and 5 days of gestation, the fetus was suspected to have a left ventricular-type single ventricle, trace right ventricle, pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum, or cardiomyopathy. Cardiac function gradually declined at 26 weeks of gestation, and intrauterine fetal death was confirmed at 27 weeks and 5 days of gestation. The fourth pregnancy resulted in a normal heart with good progression and no abnormal baby. We submitted the first and second fetuses' umbilical cord, third fetus' placenta, and the fourth fetus' blood to genetic testing using whole exome analysis with next generation sequencing. Genetic analysis identified hemizygous PLD1 mutations in the first, second, and third fetuses. The fourth fetus was heterozygous. In addition, the parents were heterozygous for PLD1. This case is based on three consecutive cases of homozygosity for the PLD1 gene in the sibling cases and the fetuses with recurrent right ventricular valve dysplasia. This will elucidate the cause of recurrent congenital heart disease and intrauterine fetal death and may serve as an indicator for screening the next fetus. To date, homozygous mutations in PLD1 that repeat three times in a row are not reported, only up to two times. The novelty of this report is that it was repeated three times, followed by a heterozygous live birth. CONCLUSIONS: This report is consistent with previous reports that mutations in PLD1 cause right ventricular valve dysplasia. However, there have been few case reports of PLD1 mutations, and we hope that this report will contribute to elucidate the causes of congenital heart disease, especially right ventricular valve dysplasia, and that the accumulation of such information will provide more detailed information on PLD1 mutations in heart disease.

Abortion and fetal death in sows.

Abortion in sows or the expulsion of foetuses between days 35 and 109 of gestation results in major financial losses. Abortion is the result of maternal failure due to factors interfering with either the endocrine control of pregnancy or causing endometrial damage. In addition, causes of fetal origin, due to infections with a special affinity for the fetus, can also lead to abortion. Many different non-infectious and infectious factors may be involved. Non-infectious risk factors include inappropriate ambient temperature, seasonal effects, different stress factors, and toxic substances. Microorganisms that may cause abortion can be classified as facultative pathogenic and specific pathogenic microorganisms. The first category includes mostly bacteria that are endemic in many pig farms and that are normally harmless commensals. They can cause abortion only in case of decreased immunity or other predisposing factors. Different specific pathogenic microorganisms, especially viruses and bacteria, can cause fetal death and abortion. Some may have a special affinity for the reproductive tract and the foetuses (e.g. Aujeszky's disease virus, parvovirus, Leptospira sp.), while others may cause clinical disease or fever in sows (e.g. swine influenza viruses, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae), subsequently leading to abortion. Diagnosis of fetal death and abortion is challenging due to the broad array of processes that may be involved, and the fact that the inciting cause may happen well in advance of the abortion. The diagnostic process should start with a thorough evaluation of the clinical problem and the farm. In case an infectious cause is suspected, proper samples should be collected, preferably from different sows and foetuses, for the detection of specific pathogens. Prevention of abortion mainly relies on the implementation of good management practices, hygiene and biosecurity measures, and for some pathogens also on vaccination.