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Aryananda RA, Duvekot H, Dall'Asta A, Lees CC. Transvaginal ultrasound of intracervical hypervascularity grading correlate with maternal outcome in placenta accreta spectrum. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2024. [PMID: 38669592 DOI: 10.1002/uog.27670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- R A Aryananda
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Department, Dr. Soetomo Academic General Hospital, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - H Duvekot
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Department, Dr. Soetomo Academic General Hospital, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A Dall'Asta
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Italy
| | - C C Lees
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
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Srinivasan D, Daly-Jones E, Oyelese Y, Papanikolaou K, Lees CC. Challenging common misconceptions in vasa previa screening and diagnosis. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2023. [PMID: 38145553 DOI: 10.1002/uog.27567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- D Srinivasan
- Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - E Daly-Jones
- Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Y Oyelese
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical School, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - K Papanikolaou
- Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - C C Lees
- Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Oyelese Y, Lees CC, Jauniaux E. The case for screening for vasa previa: time to implement a life-saving strategy. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2023; 61:7-11. [PMID: 36178753 DOI: 10.1002/uog.26085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Y Oyelese
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - C C Lees
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - E Jauniaux
- EGA Institute for Women's Health, Faculty of Population Health Sciences, University College London, London, UK
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Wolf H, Stampalija T, Lees CC. Fetal cerebral blood-flow redistribution: analysis of Doppler reference charts and association of different thresholds with adverse perinatal outcome. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2021; 58:705-715. [PMID: 33599336 PMCID: PMC8597586 DOI: 10.1002/uog.23615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES First, to compare published Doppler reference charts of the ratios of flow in the fetal middle cerebral and umbilical arteries (i.e. the cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) and umbilicocerebral ratio (UCR)). Second, to assess the association of thresholds of CPR and UCR based on these charts with short-term composite adverse perinatal outcome in a cohort of pregnancies considered to be at risk of late preterm fetal growth restriction. METHODS Studies presenting reference charts for CPR or UCR were searched for in PubMed. Formulae for plotting the median and the 10th percentile (for CPR) or the 90th percentile (for UCR) against gestational age were extracted from the publication or calculated from the published tables. Data from a prospective European multicenter observational cohort study of singleton pregnancies at risk of fetal growth restriction at 32 + 0 to 36 + 6 weeks' gestation, in which fetal arterial Doppler measurements were collected longitudinally, were used to compare the different charts. Specifically, the association of UCR and CPR thresholds (CPR < 10th percentile or UCR ≥ 90th percentile and multiples of the median (MoM) values) with composite adverse perinatal outcome was analyzed. The association was also compared between chart-based thresholds and absolute thresholds. Composite adverse perinatal outcome comprised both abnormal condition at birth and major neonatal morbidity. RESULTS Ten studies presenting reference charts for CPR or UCR were retrieved. There were large differences between the charts in the 10th and 90th percentile values of CPR and UCR, respectively, while median values were more similar. In the gestational-age range of 28-36 weeks, there was no relationship between UCR or CPR and gestational age. From the prospective observational study, 856 pregnancies at risk of late-onset preterm fetal growth restriction were included in the analysis. The association of abnormal UCR or CPR with composite adverse perinatal outcome was similar for percentile thresholds or MoM values, as calculated from the charts, and for absolute thresholds, both on univariable analysis and after adjustment for gestational age at measurement, estimated fetal weight MoM and pre-eclampsia. The adjusted odds ratio for composite adverse perinatal outcome was 3.3 (95% CI, 1.7-6.4) for an absolute UCR threshold of ≥ 0.9 or an absolute CPR threshold of < 1.11 (corresponding to ≥ 1.75 MoM), and 1.6 (95% CI, 0.9-2.9) for an absolute UCR threshold of ≥ 0.7 to < 0.9 or an absolute CPR threshold of ≥ 1.11 to < 1.43 (corresponding to ≥ 1.25 to < 1.75 MoM). CONCLUSIONS In the gestational-age range of 32 to 36 weeks, adjustment of CPR or UCR for gestational age is not necessary when assessing the risk of adverse outcome in pregnancies at risk of fetal growth restriction. The adoption of absolute CPR or UCR thresholds, independent of reference charts, is feasible and makes clinical assessment simpler than if using percentiles or other gestational-age normalized units. The high variability in percentile threshold values among the commonly used UCR and CPR reference charts hinders reliable diagnosis and clinical management of late preterm fetal growth restriction. © 2021 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Wolf
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Center (Location AMC)University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - T. Stampalija
- Unit of Fetal Medicine and Prenatal DiagnosisInstitute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo GarofoloTriesteItaly
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health SciencesUniversity of TriesteTriesteItaly
| | - C. C. Lees
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College LondonLondonUK
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College NHS TrustLondonUK
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Mullins E, Hudak ML, Banerjee J, Getzlaff T, Townson J, Barnette K, Playle R, Perry A, Bourne T, Lees CC. Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of COVID-19: coreporting of common outcomes from PAN-COVID and AAP-SONPM registries. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2021; 57:573-581. [PMID: 33620113 PMCID: PMC8014713 DOI: 10.1002/uog.23619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Few large cohort studies have reported data on maternal, fetal, perinatal and neonatal outcomes associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in pregnancy. We report the outcome of infected pregnancies from a collaboration formed early during the pandemic between the investigators of two registries, the UK and Global Pregnancy and Neonatal outcomes in COVID-19 (PAN-COVID) study and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Section on Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine (SONPM) National Perinatal COVID-19 Registry. METHODS This was an analysis of data from the PAN-COVID registry (1 January to 25 July 2020), which includes pregnancies with suspected or confirmed maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection at any stage in pregnancy, and the AAP-SONPM National Perinatal COVID-19 registry (4 April to 8 August 2020), which includes pregnancies with positive maternal testing for SARS-CoV-2 from 14 days before delivery to 3 days after delivery. The registries collected data on maternal, fetal, perinatal and neonatal outcomes. The PAN-COVID results are presented overall for pregnancies with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and separately in those with confirmed infection. RESULTS We report on 4005 pregnant women with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (1606 from PAN-COVID and 2399 from AAP-SONPM). For obstetric outcomes, in PAN-COVID overall and in those with confirmed infection in PAN-COVID and AAP-SONPM, respectively, maternal death occurred in 0.5%, 0.5% and 0.2% of cases, early neonatal death in 0.2%, 0.3% and 0.3% of cases and stillbirth in 0.5%, 0.6% and 0.4% of cases. Delivery was preterm (< 37 weeks' gestation) in 12.0% of all women in PAN-COVID, in 16.1% of those women with confirmed infection in PAN-COVID and in 15.7% of women in AAP-SONPM. Extreme preterm delivery (< 27 weeks' gestation) occurred in 0.5% of cases in PAN-COVID and 0.3% in AAP-SONPM. Neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infection was reported in 0.9% of all deliveries in PAN-COVID overall, in 2.0% in those with confirmed infection in PAN-COVID and in 1.8% in AAP-SONPM; the proportions of neonates tested were 9.5%, 20.7% and 87.2%, respectively. The rates of a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonate were 8.2% in PAN-COVID overall, 9.7% in those with confirmed infection and 9.6% in AAP-SONPM. Mean gestational-age-adjusted birth-weight Z-scores were -0.03 in PAN-COVID and -0.18 in AAP-SONPM. CONCLUSIONS The findings from the UK and USA registries of pregnancies with SARS-CoV-2 infection were remarkably concordant. Preterm delivery affected a higher proportion of women than expected based on historical and contemporaneous national data. The proportions of pregnancies affected by stillbirth, a SGA infant or early neonatal death were comparable to those in historical and contemporaneous UK and USA data. Although maternal death was uncommon, the rate was higher than expected based on UK and USA population data, which is likely explained by underascertainment of women affected by milder or asymptomatic infection in pregnancy in the PAN-COVID study, although not in the AAP-SONPM study. The data presented support strong guidance for enhanced precautions to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy, particularly in the context of increased risks of preterm delivery and maternal mortality, and for priority vaccination of pregnant women and women planning pregnancy. Copyright © 2021 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. Mullins
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of MetabolismDigestion and Reproduction, Imperial College LondonLondonUK
- Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea HospitalImperial College Healthcare NHS TrustLondonUK
| | - M. L. Hudak
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of NeonatologyUniversity of Florida College of MedicineJacksonvilleFLUSA
| | - J. Banerjee
- Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea HospitalImperial College Healthcare NHS TrustLondonUK
| | - T. Getzlaff
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of NeonatologyUniversity of Florida College of MedicineJacksonvilleFLUSA
| | - J. Townson
- Centre for Trials ResearchCollege of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | - K. Barnette
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of NeonatologyUniversity of Florida College of MedicineJacksonvilleFLUSA
| | - R. Playle
- Centre for Trials ResearchCollege of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | - A. Perry
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of MetabolismDigestion and Reproduction, Imperial College LondonLondonUK
- Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea HospitalImperial College Healthcare NHS TrustLondonUK
| | - T. Bourne
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of MetabolismDigestion and Reproduction, Imperial College LondonLondonUK
- Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea HospitalImperial College Healthcare NHS TrustLondonUK
| | - C. C. Lees
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of MetabolismDigestion and Reproduction, Imperial College LondonLondonUK
- Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea HospitalImperial College Healthcare NHS TrustLondonUK
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Clark AE, Biffi B, Sivera R, Dall'Asta A, Fessey L, Wong TL, Paramasivam G, Dunaway D, Schievano S, Lees CC. Developing and testing an algorithm for automatic segmentation of the fetal face from three-dimensional ultrasound images. R Soc Open Sci 2020; 7:201342. [PMID: 33391808 PMCID: PMC7735327 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.201342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Fetal craniofacial abnormalities are challenging to detect and diagnose on prenatal ultrasound (US). Image segmentation and computer analysis of three-dimensional US volumes of the fetal face may provide an objective measure to quantify fetal facial features and identify abnormalities. We have developed and tested an atlas-based partially automated facial segmentation algorithm; however, the volumes require additional manual segmentation (MS), which is time and labour intensive and may preclude this method from clinical adoption. These manually refined segmentations can then be used as a reference (atlas) by the partially automated segmentation algorithm to improve algorithmic performance with the aim of eliminating the need for manual refinement and developing a fully automated system. This study assesses the inter- and intra-operator variability of MS and tests an optimized version of our automatic segmentation (AS) algorithm. The manual refinements of 15 fetal faces performed by three operators and repeated by one operator were assessed by Dice score, average symmetrical surface distance and volume difference. The performance of the partially automatic algorithm with difference size atlases was evaluated by Dice score and computational time. Assessment of the manual refinements showed low inter- and intra-operator variability demonstrating its suitability for optimizing the AS algorithm. The algorithm showed improved performance following an increase in the atlas size in turn reducing the need for manual refinement.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. E. Clark
- Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - B. Biffi
- Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - A. Dall'Asta
- Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, University of Parma, Italy
| | | | - T.-L. Wong
- Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - G. Paramasivam
- Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - D. Dunaway
- University College London GOS Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
| | - S. Schievano
- University College London GOS Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
| | - C. C. Lees
- Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Wolf H, Stampalija T, Monasta L, Lees CC. Ratio of umbilical and cerebral artery pulsatility indices in assessment of fetal risk: numerator and denominator matter. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2020; 56:163-165. [PMID: 32118327 DOI: 10.1002/uog.22004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- H Wolf
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Center (Location AMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - T Stampalija
- Unit of Fetal Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - L Monasta
- Clinical Epidemiology and Public Health Research Unit, Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - C C Lees
- Imperial College School of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Fetal Medicine, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College NHS Trust, London, UK
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Mylrea-Foley B, Bhide A, Mullins E, Thornton J, Marlow N, Stampalija T, Napolitano R, Lees CC. Building consensus: thresholds for delivery in TRUFFLE-2 randomized intervention study. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2020; 56:285-287. [PMID: 32533800 DOI: 10.1002/uog.22124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- B Mylrea-Foley
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - A Bhide
- Fetal Medicine Unit, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - E Mullins
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - J Thornton
- School of Clinical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maternity Department, City Hospital, Nottingham, UK
| | - N Marlow
- UCL Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - T Stampalija
- Unit of Fetal Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - R Napolitano
- UCL Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
- Fetal Medicine Unit, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - C C Lees
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College NHS Trust, London, UK
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Lees CC, Stampalija T, Baschat A, da Silva Costa F, Ferrazzi E, Figueras F, Hecher K, Kingdom J, Poon LC, Salomon LJ, Unterscheider J. ISUOG Practice Guidelines: diagnosis and management of small-for-gestational-age fetus and fetal growth restriction. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2020; 56:298-312. [PMID: 32738107 DOI: 10.1002/uog.22134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 299] [Impact Index Per Article: 74.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C C Lees
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Development & Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - T Stampalija
- Unit of Fetal Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - A Baschat
- The Johns Hopkins Center for Fetal Therapy, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - F da Silva Costa
- Ritchie Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - E Ferrazzi
- Department of Woman, Child and Neonate, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - F Figueras
- Fetal Medicine Research Center, BCNatal Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut Clínic de Ginecologia, Obstetricia i Neonatologia, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - K Hecher
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- J. Kingdom, Placenta Program, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Division, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - L C Poon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - L J Salomon
- Obstétrique et Plateforme LUMIERE, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades (AP-HP) et Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - J Unterscheider
- Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Affiliation(s)
- H Wolf
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Center (Location AMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - T Stampalija
- Unit of Fetal Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - L Monasta
- Clinical Epidemiology and Public Health Research Unit, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - C C Lees
- Imperial College School of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Fetal Medicine, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College NHS Trust, London, UK
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Stampalija T, Thornton J, Marlow N, Napolitano R, Bhide A, Pickles T, Bilardo CM, Gordijn SJ, Gyselaers W, Valensise H, Hecher K, Sande RK, Lindgren P, Bergman E, Arabin B, Breeze AC, Wee L, Ganzevoort W, Richter J, Berger A, Brodszki J, Derks J, Mecacci F, Maruotti GM, Myklestad K, Lobmaier SM, Prefumo F, Klaritsch P, Calda P, Ebbing C, Frusca T, Raio L, Visser GHA, Krofta L, Cetin I, Ferrazzi E, Cesari E, Wolf H, Lees CC. Fetal cerebral Doppler changes and outcome in late preterm fetal growth restriction: prospective cohort study. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2020; 56:173-181. [PMID: 32557921 DOI: 10.1002/uog.22125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore the association between fetal umbilical and middle cerebral artery (MCA) Doppler abnormalities and outcome in late preterm pregnancies at risk of fetal growth restriction. METHODS This was a prospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies at risk of fetal growth restriction at 32 + 0 to 36 + 6 weeks of gestation, enrolled in 33 European centers between 2017 and 2018, in which umbilical and fetal MCA Doppler velocimetry was performed. Pregnancies were considered at risk of fetal growth restriction if they had estimated fetal weight and/or abdominal circumference (AC) < 10th percentile, abnormal arterial Doppler and/or a fall in AC growth velocity of more than 40 percentile points from the 20-week scan. Composite adverse outcome comprised both immediate adverse birth outcome and major neonatal morbidity. Using a range of cut-off values, the association of MCA pulsatility index and umbilicocerebral ratio (UCR) with composite adverse outcome was explored. RESULTS The study population comprised 856 women. There were two (0.2%) intrauterine deaths. Median gestational age at delivery was 38 (interquartile range (IQR), 37-39) weeks and birth weight was 2478 (IQR, 2140-2790) g. Compared with infants with normal outcome, those with composite adverse outcome (n = 93; 11%) were delivered at an earlier gestational age (36 vs 38 weeks) and had a lower birth weight (1900 vs 2540 g). The first Doppler observation of MCA pulsatility index < 5th percentile and UCR Z-score above gestational-age-specific thresholds (1.5 at 32-33 weeks and 1.0 at 34-36 weeks) had the highest relative risks (RR) for composite adverse outcome (RR 2.2 (95% CI, 1.5-3.2) and RR 2.0 (95% CI, 1.4-3.0), respectively). After adjustment for confounders, the association between UCR Z-score and composite adverse outcome remained significant, although gestational age at delivery and birth-weight Z-score had a stronger association. CONCLUSION In this prospective multicenter study, signs of cerebral blood flow redistribution were found to be associated with adverse outcome in late preterm singleton pregnancies at risk of fetal growth restriction. Whether cerebral redistribution is a marker describing the severity of fetal growth restriction or an independent risk factor for adverse outcome remains unclear, and whether it is useful for clinical management can be answered only in a randomized trial. © 2020 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Stampalija
- Unit of Fetal Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - J Thornton
- School of Clinical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maternity Department, City Hospital, Nottingham, UK
| | - N Marlow
- UCL Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - R Napolitano
- UCL Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
- Fetal Medicine Unit, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - A Bhide
- Fetal Medicine Unit, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's, University of London, London, UK
| | - T Pickles
- Centre for Trials Research, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - C M Bilardo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - S J Gordijn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - W Gyselaers
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, Genk and Department Physiology, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - H Valensise
- Department of Surgery, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tor Vergata University, Policlinico Casilino Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - K Hecher
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - R K Sande
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger and Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - P Lindgren
- Center for Fetal Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - E Bergman
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - B Arabin
- Department of Obstetrics Charite, Humboldt University Berlin and Clara Angela Foundation, Berlin, Germany
| | - A C Breeze
- Fetal Medicine Unit, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - L Wee
- The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, Harlow, UK
| | - W Ganzevoort
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J Richter
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, UZ Leuven and Department of Regeneration and Development, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - A Berger
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - J Brodszki
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Neonatology, Lund University, Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - J Derks
- Department of Perinatal Medicine, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - F Mecacci
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - G M Maruotti
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
| | | | - S M Lobmaier
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - F Prefumo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia and University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - P Klaritsch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - P Calda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, General University Hospital and First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - C Ebbing
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - T Frusca
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - L Raio
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University Hospital of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - G H A Visser
- Department of Obstetrics, Division of Woman and Baby, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - L Krofta
- Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Prague, Czech Republic and Third Medical Faculty, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - I Cetin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vittore Buzzi Children's Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - E Ferrazzi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico and Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - E Cesari
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vittore Buzzi Children's Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - H Wolf
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C C Lees
- Imperial College School of Medicine, Imperial College London and Department of Fetal Medicine, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College NHS trust, London, UK
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12
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Dall'Asta A, Girardelli S, Usman S, Lawin-O'Brien A, Paramasivam G, Frusca T, Lees CC. Etiology and perinatal outcome of periviable fetal growth restriction associated with structural or genetic anomaly. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2020; 55:368-374. [PMID: 31180600 DOI: 10.1002/uog.20368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the etiology and perinatal outcome of periviable fetal growth restriction (FGR) associated with a structural defect or genetic anomaly. METHODS This was a retrospective study of singleton pregnancies seen at a referral fetal medicine unit between 2005 and 2018, in which FGR (defined as fetal abdominal circumference ≤ 3rd percentile for gestational age) was diagnosed between 22 + 0 and 25 + 6 weeks of gestation. The study group included pregnancies with periviable FGR associated with a genetic or structural anomaly (anomalous FGR), while the control group consisted of structurally and genetically normal pregnancies with periviable FGR (non-anomalous FGR). Results of genetic testing, TORCH screen and postmortem examination, as well as perinatal outcome, were investigated. RESULTS Of 255 pregnancies complicated by periviable FGR, 188 were eligible; of which 52 (28%) had anomalous FGR and 136 (72%) had non-anomalous FGR. A confirmed genetic abnormality accounted for 17/52 cases (33%) of anomalous FGR, with trisomy 18 constituting over 50% (9/17; 53%). The most common structural defects associated with FGR were central nervous system abnormalities (13/35; 37%). Overall, 12 (23%) cases of anomalous FGR survived the neonatal period. No differences were found in terms of perinatal survival between pregnancies with anomalous and those with non-anomalous FGR. CONCLUSIONS Most pregnancies complicated by anomalous FGR were associated with a structural defect. The presence of an associated genetic defect was invariably lethal, while those with a structural defect, in the absence of a confirmed genetic abnormality, survived into infancy in over 90% of cases, with an overall one in three chance of perinatal survival. These data can be used for counseling prospective parents. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Dall'Asta
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - S Girardelli
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, San Raffaele Hospital, Vita e Salute University, Milan, Italy
| | - S Usman
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - A Lawin-O'Brien
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - G Paramasivam
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - T Frusca
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - C C Lees
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Development & Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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13
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Kahrs BH, Usman S, Ghi T, Youssef A, Torkildsen EA, Lindtjørn E, Østborg TB, Benediktsdottir S, Brooks L, Harmsen L, Salvesen KÅ, Lees CC, Eggebø TM. Descent of fetal head during active pushing: secondary analysis of prospective cohort study investigating ultrasound examination before operative vaginal delivery. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2019; 54:524-529. [PMID: 31115115 DOI: 10.1002/uog.20348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate if descent of the fetal head during active pushing is associated with duration of operative vaginal delivery, mode of delivery and neonatal outcome in nulliparous women with prolonged second stage of labor. METHODS This was a prospective cohort study of nulliparous women with prolonged second stage of labor, conducted between November 2013 and July 2016 in five European countries. Fetal head descent was measured using transperineal ultrasound. Head-perineum distance (HPD) was measured between contractions and on maximum contraction during active pushing, and the difference between these values (ΔHPD) was calculated. The main outcome was duration of operative vaginal delivery, estimated using survival analysis to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) for vaginal delivery, with values > 1 indicating a shorter duration. HR was adjusted for prepregnancy body mass index, maternal age, induction of labor, augmentation with oxytocin and use of epidural analgesia. Pregnancies were grouped according to ΔHPD quartile, and delivery mode and neonatal outcome were compared between groups. RESULTS The study population comprised 204 women. Duration of vacuum extraction was shorter with increasing ΔHPD. Estimated mean duration was 10.0, 9.0, 8.8 and 7.5 min in pregnancies with ΔHPD in the first to fourth quartiles, respectively, and the adjusted HR for vaginal delivery, using increasing ΔHPD as a continuous variable, was 1.04 (95% CI, 1.01-1.08). Mean ΔHPD was 7 mm (range, -10 to 37 mm). ΔHPD was either negative or ≤ 2 mm in the lowest quartile. In this group, 7/50 (14%) pregnancies were delivered by Cesarean section, compared with 8/154 (5%) of those with ΔHPD > 2 mm (P < 0.05). There was no significant association between umbilical artery pH < 7.10 or 5-min Apgar score < 7 and ΔHPD quartile. CONCLUSION Minimal or no fetal head descent during active pushing was associated with longer duration of operative vaginal delivery and higher frequency of Cesarean section in nulliparous women with prolonged second stage of labor. © 2019 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- B H Kahrs
- National Center for Fetal Medicine, Trondheim University Hospital (St Olavs Hospital), Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - S Usman
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - T Ghi
- Parma University Hospital, Parma, Italy
| | - A Youssef
- St Orsola Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - E A Torkildsen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - E Lindtjørn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - T B Østborg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - S Benediktsdottir
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - L Brooks
- Hvidovre University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - L Harmsen
- Hvidovre University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - K Å Salvesen
- National Center for Fetal Medicine, Trondheim University Hospital (St Olavs Hospital), Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - C C Lees
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - T M Eggebø
- National Center for Fetal Medicine, Trondheim University Hospital (St Olavs Hospital), Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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14
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Regan F, Lees CC, Jones B, Nicolaides KH, Wimalasundera RC, Mijovic A. Prenatal Management of Pregnancies at Risk of Fetal Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia (FNAIT): Scientific Impact Paper No. 61. BJOG 2019; 126:e173-e185. [PMID: 30968555 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.15642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
WHAT IS IT?: Fetal neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT), also known as neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT) or fetomaternal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FMAIT), is a rare condition which affects a baby's platelets. This can put them at risk of problems with bleeding, particularly into the brain. One baby per week in the UK may be seriously affected and milder forms can affect one in every 1000 births. HOW IS IT CAUSED?: Platelets are blood cells that are very important in helping blood to clot. All platelets have natural proteins on their surface called human platelet antigens (HPAs). In babies, half of these antigens are inherited from the mother and half from the father. During pregnancy, some of the baby's platelets can cross into the mother's bloodstream. In most cases, this does not cause a problem. But in cases of FNAIT, the mother's immune system does not recognise the baby's HPAs that were inherited from the father and develops antibodies, which can cross the placenta and attack the baby's platelets. These antibodies are called anti-HPAs, and the commonest antibody implicated is anti-HPA-1a, but there are other rarer antibody types. If this happens, the baby's platelets may be destroyed causing their platelet count to fall dangerously low. If the platelet count is very low there is a risk to the baby of bleeding into their brain before they are born. This is very rare but if it happens it can have serious effects on the baby's health. HOW IS IT INHERITED?: A baby inherits half of their HPAs from its mother and half from its father. Consequently, a baby may have different HPAs from its mother. As the condition is very rare, and even if the baby is at risk of the condition we have no way of knowing how severely they will be affected, routine screening is not currently recommended. WHAT CAN BE DONE?: FNAIT is usually diagnosed if a previous baby has had a low platelet count. The parents are offered blood tests and the condition can be confirmed or ruled out. There are many other causes of low platelets in babies, which may also need to be tested for. As the condition is so rare, expertise is limited to specialist centres and normally a haematologist and fetal medicine doctor will perform and interpret the tests together. Fortunately, there is an effective treatment for the vast majority of cases called immunoglobulin, or IVIg. This 'blood product' is given intravenously through a drip every week to women at risk of the condition. It may be started from as early as 16 weeks in the next pregnancy, until birth, which would be offered at around 36-37 weeks. Less common treatments that may be considered depending on individual circumstances include steroid tablets or injections, or giving platelet transfusions to the baby. WHAT DOES THIS PAPER TELL YOU?: This paper considers the latest evidence in relation to treatment options in the management of pregnancies at risk of FNAIT. Specifically, we discuss the role of screening, when IVIg should be started, what dose should be used, and what evidence there is for maternal steroids. We also consider in very rare selected cases, the use of fetal blood sampling and giving platelet transfusions to the baby before birth. Finally, we consider the approaches to blood testing mothers to tell if babies are at risk, which is offered in some countries, and development of new treatments to reduce the risk of FNAIT.
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MESH Headings
- Antigens, Human Platelet
- Female
- Fetal Diseases/genetics
- Fetal Diseases/prevention & control
- Fetal Diseases/therapy
- Genetic Testing
- Humans
- Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/therapeutic use
- Infant, Newborn
- Infant, Newborn, Diseases/genetics
- Infant, Newborn, Diseases/therapy
- Integrin beta3
- Mass Screening/methods
- Medical History Taking
- Platelet Count
- Pregnancy
- Prenatal Care/methods
- Thrombocytopenia, Neonatal Alloimmune/diagnosis
- Thrombocytopenia, Neonatal Alloimmune/genetics
- Thrombocytopenia, Neonatal Alloimmune/prevention & control
- Thrombocytopenia, Neonatal Alloimmune/therapy
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15
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Shaw CJ, Allison BJ, Itani N, Botting KJ, Niu Y, Lees CC, Giussani DA. Altered autonomic control of heart rate variability in the chronically hypoxic fetus. J Physiol 2018; 596:6105-6119. [PMID: 29604064 PMCID: PMC6265555 DOI: 10.1113/jp275659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Fetal heart rate variability (FHRV) has long been recognised as a powerful predictor of fetal wellbeing, and a decrease in FHRV is associated with fetal compromise. However, the mechanisms by which FHRV is reduced in the chronically hypoxic fetus have yet to be established. The sympathetic and parasympathetic influences on heart rate mature at different rates throughout fetal life, and can be assessed by time domain and power spectral analysis of FHRV. In this study of chronically instrumented fetal sheep in late gestation, we analysed FHRV daily over a 16 day period towards term, and compared changes between fetuses of control and chronically hypoxic pregnancy. We show that FHRV in sheep is reduced by chronic hypoxia, predominantly due to dysregulation of the sympathetic control of the fetal heart rate. This presents a potential mechanism by which a reduction in indices of FHRV predicts fetuses at increased risk of neonatal morbidity and mortality in humans. Reduction in overall FHRV may therefore provide a biomarker that autonomic dysregulation of fetal heart rate control has taken place in a fetus where uteroplacental dysfunction is suspected. ABSTRACT Although fetal heart rate variability (FHRV) has long been recognised as a powerful predictor of fetal wellbeing, the mechanisms by which it is reduced in the chronically hypoxic fetus have yet to be established. In particular, the physiological mechanism underlying the reduction of short term variation (STV) in fetal compromise remains unclear. In this study, we present a longitudinal study of the development of autonomic control of FHRV, assessed by indirect indices, time domain and power spectral analysis, in normoxic and chronically hypoxic, chronically catheterised, singleton fetal sheep over the last third of gestation. We used isobaric chambers able to maintain pregnant sheep for prolonged periods in hypoxic conditions (stable fetal femoral arterial P O 2 10-12 mmHg), and a customised wireless data acquisition system to record beat-to-beat variation in the fetal heart rate. We determined in vivo longitudinal changes in overall FHRV and the sympathetic and parasympathetic contribution to FHRV in hypoxic (n = 6) and normoxic (n = 6) ovine fetuses with advancing gestational age. Normoxic fetuses show gestational age-related increases in overall indices of FHRV, and in the sympathetic nervous system contribution to FHRV (P < 0.001). Conversely, gestational age-related increases in overall FHRV were impaired by exposure to chronic hypoxia, and there was evidence of suppression of the sympathetic nervous system control of FHRV after 72 h of exposure to hypoxia (P < 0.001). This demonstrates that exposure to late gestation isolated chronic fetal hypoxia has the potential to alter the development of the autonomic nervous system control of FHRV in sheep. This presents a potential mechanism by which a reduction in indices of FHRV in human fetuses affected by uteroplacental dysfunction can predict fetuses at increased risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. J. Shaw
- Department of Physiology, Development and NeuroscienceUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental BiologyImperial College LondonLondonUK
| | - B. J. Allison
- Department of Physiology, Development and NeuroscienceUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - N. Itani
- Department of Physiology, Development and NeuroscienceUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - K. J. Botting
- Department of Physiology, Development and NeuroscienceUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- Cambridge Cardiovascular Research InitiativeAddenbrooke's HospitalCambridgeUK
| | - Y. Niu
- Department of Physiology, Development and NeuroscienceUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- Cambridge Cardiovascular Research InitiativeAddenbrooke's HospitalCambridgeUK
| | - C. C. Lees
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental BiologyImperial College LondonLondonUK
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyUniversity Hospitals LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - D. A. Giussani
- Department of Physiology, Development and NeuroscienceUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- Cambridge Cardiovascular Research InitiativeAddenbrooke's HospitalCambridgeUK
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16
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Dall'Asta A, Shah H, Masini G, Paramasivam G, Yazbek J, Bourne T, Lees CC. Evaluation of tramline sign for prenatal diagnosis of abnormally invasive placenta using three-dimensional ultrasound and Crystal Vue rendering technology. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2018; 52:403-404. [PMID: 29205615 DOI: 10.1002/uog.18975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Revised: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/26/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A Dall'Asta
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Unit of Surgical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - H Shah
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - G Masini
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - G Paramasivam
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - J Yazbek
- Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - T Bourne
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - C C Lees
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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17
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Dall'Asta A, Paramasivam G, Lees CC. Reply. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2018; 52:408-411. [PMID: 30182404 DOI: 10.1002/uog.19180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A Dall'Asta
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Unit of Surgical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - G Paramasivam
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - C C Lees
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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18
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Tay J, Costanzi A, Basello K, Piuri G, Ferrazzi E, Speciani AF, Lees CC. Maternal Serum B Cell activating factor in hypertensive and normotensive pregnancies. Pregnancy Hypertens 2018; 13:58-61. [PMID: 30177072 DOI: 10.1016/j.preghy.2018.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was the analysis of B-Cell Activating Factor (BAFF) levels in pregnancies affected by PE, and in pregnancies affected by fetal growth restriction without Hypertensive disorders and its possible correlation with pulse wave velocity and cardiac output. STUDY DESIGN Prospective study of 69 women at 24-40 weeks gestation. Haemodynamic function was assessed in those with Pre-eclampsia (PE, n = 19), fetal growth restriction (FGR, n = 10) and healthy pregnancies (n = 40). Maternal venous BAFF levels at recruitment were measured using ELISA. We analysed the relationship between BAFF and cardiac output (CO), and BAFF and PWV (pulse wave velocity); the gold standard for assessing arterial stiffness. PWV was measured with an oscillometric device and CO using inert gas rebreathing technique. PWV and CO were converted to gestation adjusted indices (z scores). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The association between BAFF levels in PE and FGR, and the relationship of BAFF with PWV and CO. RESULTS BAFF was higher in PE (p = 0.03) but not in FGR (p = 0.83) when compared to healthy pregnancies. There was a positive correlation between BAFF levels and z score PWV (r = 0.25, p = 0.04), but not CO (r = -0.01, p = 0.91). BAFF levels did not change with gestational age. (r = 0.012, p = 0.925). CONCLUSIONS These findings provide evidence of a possible contribution of BAFF to both maternal inflammation and arterial dysfunction associated with PE. Though no relationship was found with another disorder of placentation: normotensive FGR, this condition is not thought to be associated with maternal inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Tay
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom; Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - A Costanzi
- Cryolab University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, 1 - 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - K Basello
- Cryolab University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, 1 - 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - G Piuri
- Inflammation Society, 18 Woodlands Park, Bexley DA52EL, Kent, United Kingdom
| | - E Ferrazzi
- IRCCS Fondazione Cà Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Department of Woman, Child and Neonate, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Italy
| | - A F Speciani
- Cryolab University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, 1 - 00133 Rome, Italy; Inflammation Society, 18 Woodlands Park, Bexley DA52EL, Kent, United Kingdom
| | - C C Lees
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom; Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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19
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Abstract
Objective: Vaginal examination is widely used to assess the progress of labor; however, it is subjective and poorly reproducible. We aim to assess the feasibility and accuracy of transabdominal and transperineal ultrasound compared to vaginal examination in the assessment of labor and its progress. Methods: Women were recruited as they presented for assessment of labor to a tertiary inner city maternity service. Paired vaginal and ultrasound assessments were performed in 192 women at 24-42 weeks. Fetal head position was assessed by transabdominal ultrasound defined in relation to the occiput position transformed to a 12-hour clock face; fetal head station defined as head-perineum distance by transperineal ultrasound; cervical dilatation by anterior to posterior cervical rim measurement and caput succedaneum by skin-skull distance on transperineal ultrasound. Results: Fetal head position was recorded in 99.7% (298/299) of US and 51.5% (154/299) on vaginal examination (p < .0001 1 ). Bland-Altman analysis showed 95% limits of agreement, -5.31 to 4.84 clock hours. Head station was recorded in 96.3% (308/320) on vaginal examination (VE) and 95.9% (307/320) on US (p = .79 1 ). Head station and head perineum distance were negatively correlated (Spearman's r = -.57, p < .0001). 54.4% (178/327) of cervical dilatation measurements were determined using US and 100% on VE/speculum (p < .0001). Bland-Altman analysis showed 95% limits of agreement -2.51-2.16 cm. The presence of caput could be assessed in 98.4% (315/320) of US and was commented in 95.3% (305/320) of VEs, with agreement for the presence of caput of 76% (p < .05). Fetuses with caput greater than 10 mm had significantly lower head station (p < .0001). Conclusions: We describe comprehensive ultrasound assessments in the labor room that could be translated to the assessment of women in labor. Fetal head position is unreliably determined by vaginal examination and agrees poorly with US. Head perineum distance has a moderate correlation with fetal head station in relation to the ischial spines based on vaginal examination. Cervical dilatation is not reliably assessed by ultrasound except at dilatations of less than 4 cm. Caput is readily quantifiable by ultrasound and its presence is associated with lower fetal head station. Transabdominal and transperineal ultrasound is feasible in the labor room with an accuracy that is generally greater than vaginal examinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Usman
- a Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust , London , UK.,b Imperial College London, Institute of Reproductive Developmental Biology , London , UK
| | - M Wilkinson
- b Imperial College London, Institute of Reproductive Developmental Biology , London , UK
| | - H Barton
- b Imperial College London, Institute of Reproductive Developmental Biology , London , UK
| | - C C Lees
- a Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust , London , UK.,b Imperial College London, Institute of Reproductive Developmental Biology , London , UK
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20
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Dall'Asta A, Paramasivam G, Lees CC. Reply. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2018; 51:416-418. [PMID: 29512275 DOI: 10.1002/uog.18985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A Dall'Asta
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - G Paramasivam
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - C C Lees
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Visser GHA, Bilardo CM, Derks JB, Ferrazzi E, Fratelli N, Frusca T, Ganzevoort W, Lees CC, Napolitano R, Todros T, Wolf H, Hecher K. Fetal monitoring indications for delivery and 2-year outcome in 310 infants with fetal growth restriction delivered before 32 weeks' gestation in the TRUFFLE study. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2017; 50:347-352. [PMID: 27854382 DOI: 10.1002/uog.17361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2016] [Revised: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In the TRUFFLE (Trial of Randomized Umbilical and Fetal Flow in Europe) study on the outcome of early fetal growth restriction, women were allocated to one of three groups of indication for delivery according to the following monitoring strategies: (1) reduced fetal heart rate (FHR) short-term variation (STV) on cardiotocography (CTG); (2) early changes in fetal ductus venosus (DV) waveform (DV-p95); and (3) late changes in fetal DV waveform (DV-no-A). However, many infants per monitoring protocol were delivered because of safety-net criteria, for maternal or other fetal indications, or after 32 weeks of gestation when the protocol was no longer applied. The objective of the present posthoc subanalysis was to investigate the indications for delivery in relation to 2-year outcome in infants delivered before 32 weeks to further refine management proposals. METHODS We included all 310 cases of the TRUFFLE study with known outcome at 2 years' corrected age and seven fetal deaths, excluding seven cases with inevitable perinatal death. Data were analyzed according to the allocated fetal monitoring strategy in combination with the indication for delivery. RESULTS Overall, only 32% of liveborn infants were delivered according to the specified monitoring parameter for indication for delivery; 38% were delivered because of safety-net criteria, 15% for other fetal reasons and 15% for maternal reasons. In the CTG-STV group, 51% of infants were delivered because of reduced STV. In the DV-p95 group, 34% of infants were delivered because of abnormal DV and, in the DV-no-A group, only 10% of infants were delivered accordingly. The majority of infants in the DV groups were delivered for the safety-net criterion of spontaneous decelerations in FHR. Two-year intact survival was highest in the DV groups combined compared with the CTG-STV group (P = 0.05 for live births only, P = 0.21 including fetal death), with no difference between DV groups. A poorer outcome in the CTG-STV group was restricted to infants delivered because of FHR decelerations in the safety-net subgroup. Infants delivered because of maternal reasons had the highest birth weight and a non-significantly higher intact survival. CONCLUSIONS In this subanalysis of infants delivered before 32 weeks, the majority were delivered for reasons other than the allocated monitoring strategy indication. Since, in the DV group, CTG-STV criteria were used as a safety net but in the CTG-STV group, no DV safety-net criteria were applied, we speculate that the slightly poorer outcome in the CTG-STV group might be explained by the absence of DV data. The optimal timing of delivery of fetuses with early intrauterine growth restriction may therefore be best determined by monitoring them longitudinally, with both DV and CTG monitoring. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- G H A Visser
- Department of Perinatology, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - C M Bilardo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Medical Center, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - J B Derks
- Department of Perinatology, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - E Ferrazzi
- Department of Woman, Mother and Neonate, Buzzi Children's Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - N Fratelli
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - T Frusca
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, Parma, Italy
| | - W Ganzevoort
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C C Lees
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - R Napolitano
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - T Todros
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sant' Anna Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - H Wolf
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - K Hecher
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Dall'Asta A, Paramasivam G, Lees CC. Reply. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2017; 50:276-277. [PMID: 28782229 DOI: 10.1002/uog.17540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A Dall'Asta
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - G Paramasivam
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - C C Lees
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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23
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Wolf H, Arabin B, Lees CC, Oepkes D, Prefumo F, Thilaganathan B, Todros T, Visser GHA, Bilardo CM, Derks JB, Diemert A, Duvekot JJ, Ferrazzi E, Frusca T, Hecher K, Marlow N, Martinelli P, Ostermayer E, Papageorghiou AT, Scheepers HCJ, Schlembach D, Schneider KTM, Valcamonico A, van Wassenaer-Leemhuis A, Ganzevoort W. Longitudinal study of computerized cardiotocography in early fetal growth restriction. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2017; 50:71-78. [PMID: 27484356 DOI: 10.1002/uog.17215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2016] [Revised: 07/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore whether, in early fetal growth restriction (FGR), the longitudinal pattern of fetal heart rate (FHR) short-term variation (STV) can be used to identify imminent fetal distress and whether abnormalities of FHR recordings are associated with 2-year infant outcome. METHODS The original TRUFFLE study assessed whether, in early FGR, delivery based on ductus venosus (DV) Doppler pulsatility index (PI), in combination with safety-net criteria of very low STV on cardiotocography (CTG) and/or recurrent FHR decelerations, could improve 2-year infant survival without neurological impairment in comparison with delivery based on CTG monitoring only. This was a secondary analysis of women who delivered before 32 weeks and had consecutive STV data recorded > 3 days before delivery and known infant outcome at 2 years of age. Women who received corticosteroids within 3 days of delivery were excluded. Individual regression line algorithms of all STV values, except the last one before delivery, were calculated. Life tables and Cox regression analysis were used to calculate the daily risk for low STV or very low STV and/or FHR decelerations (below DV group safety-net criteria) and to assess which parameters were associated with this risk. Furthermore, it was assessed whether STV pattern, last STV value or recurrent FHR decelerations were associated with 2-year infant outcome. RESULTS One hundred and forty-nine women from the original TRUFFLE study met the inclusion criteria. Using the individual STV regression lines, prediction of a last STV below the cut-off used by the CTG monitoring group had sensitivity of 42% and specificity of 91%. For each day after study inclusion, the median risk for low STV (CTG group cut-off) was 4% (interquartile range (IQR), 2-7%) and for very low STV and/or recurrent FHR decelerations (below DV group safety-net criteria) was 5% (IQR, 4-7%). Measures of STV pattern, fetal Doppler (arterial or venous), birth-weight multiples of the median and gestational age did not usefully improve daily risk prediction. There was no association of STV regression coefficients, a low last STV and/or recurrent FHR decelerations with short- or long-term infant outcomes. CONCLUSION The TRUFFLE study showed that a strategy of DV monitoring with safety-net criteria of very low STV and/or recurrent FHR decelerations for delivery indication could increase 2-year infant survival without neurological impairment. This post-hoc analysis demonstrates that, in early FGR, the daily risk of abnormal CTG, as defined by the DV group safety-net criteria, is 5%, and that prediction is not possible. This supports the rationale for CTG monitoring more often than daily in these high-risk fetuses. Low STV and/or recurrent FHR decelerations were not associated with adverse infant outcome and it appears safe to delay intervention until such abnormalities occur, as long as DV-PI is within normal range. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Wolf
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - B Arabin
- Center for Mother and Child of the Phillips University, Marburg, Germany
| | - C C Lees
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - D Oepkes
- Department of Obstetrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - F Prefumo
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - B Thilaganathan
- Fetal Medicine Unit, St George's, University of London and St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, London, UK
| | - T Todros
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - G H A Visser
- Department of Perinatal Medicine, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - C M Bilardo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Medical Center, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - J B Derks
- Department of Perinatal Medicine, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - A Diemert
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center, Hamburg, Eppendorf, Germany
| | - J J Duvekot
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - E Ferrazzi
- Department of Woman, Mother and Neonate, Buzzi Children's Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - T Frusca
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maggiore Hospital, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - K Hecher
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center, Hamburg, Eppendorf, Germany
| | - N Marlow
- Department of Neonatology, Institute for Women's Health, University College Hospitals London, London, UK
| | - P Martinelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Dentistry and Reproductive Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - E Ostermayer
- Division of Perinatal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Technical University, Munich, Germany
| | - A T Papageorghiou
- Fetal Medicine Unit, St George's, University of London and St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, London, UK
| | - H C J Scheepers
- Department of Obstetrics, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - D Schlembach
- Department of Obstetrics, Vivantes Clinic Neukölln, Berlin, Germany
| | - K T M Schneider
- Division of Perinatal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Technical University, Munich, Germany
| | - A Valcamonico
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - A van Wassenaer-Leemhuis
- Department of Neonatology, Emma Children's Hospital Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - W Ganzevoort
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Frusca T, Parolini S, Dall'Asta A, Hassan WA, Vitulo A, Gillett A, Pasupathy D, Lees CC. Fetal size and growth velocity in chronic hypertension. Pregnancy Hypertens 2017; 10:101-106. [PMID: 29153660 DOI: 10.1016/j.preghy.2017.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Revised: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate longitudinal fetal growth and growth velocity for commonly measured biometric parameters in women with chronic hypertension. METHODS Two centre retrospective European study of women with chronic hypertension ascertained at pregnancy booking. Ultrasound measurements of head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL) were used to derive longitudinal fetal growth charts derived using functional linear discriminant analysis (FLDA). These were compared to existing cross sectional and longitudinal charts, as was birthweight. RESULTS 282 women with a median of 3 third trimester ultrasound examinations were included. Gestation at delivery was 37.5weeks (SD 2.68), birthweight 3049g (SD 785). Birthweight <10th percentile found in 15.6% deliveries, >90th percentile 20.2%. Fetal size curves derived from women with chronic hypertension were no different to cross sectional and longitudinal charts for a normal population. Compared to a standard longitudinal biometry chart, growth velocity (mm/day) in chronic hypertension was higher for AC and FL at 30-32weeks (AC 1.447vs 1.357 p<0.05; FL 0.296vs 0.269 p<0.01) and 34-36weeks (AC 1.325vs 1.140 p<0.01; FL 0.248vs 0.198 p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS In women with chronic hypertension there is an excess of both SGA and LGA babies compared to population standards. Growth velocity of the AC and FL was greater after 30weeks compared to a normal population.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Frusca
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Italy
| | | | - A Dall'Asta
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Italy; Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital/Imperial College, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0HS, United Kingdom
| | - W A Hassan
- Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, United Kingdom; Colchester Hospital University Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
| | | | - A Gillett
- Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - D Pasupathy
- Division of Women's Health, Women's Health Academic Centre KHP, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - C C Lees
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital/Imperial College, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0HS, United Kingdom; Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, United Kingdom; Department of Development and Regeneration, University Hospitals Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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25
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Ganzevoort W, Mensing Van Charante N, Thilaganathan B, Prefumo F, Arabin B, Bilardo CM, Brezinka C, Derks JB, Diemert A, Duvekot JJ, Ferrazzi E, Frusca T, Hecher K, Marlow N, Martinelli P, Ostermayer E, Papageorghiou AT, Schlembach D, Schneider KTM, Todros T, Valcamonico A, Visser GHA, Van Wassenaer-Leemhuis A, Lees CC, Wolf H. How to monitor pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction and delivery before 32 weeks: post-hoc analysis of TRUFFLE study. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2017; 49:769-777. [PMID: 28182335 DOI: 10.1002/uog.17433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2016] [Revised: 01/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In the recent TRUFFLE study, it appeared that, in pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction (FGR) between 26 and 32 weeks' gestation, monitoring of the fetal ductus venosus (DV) waveform combined with computed cardiotocography (CTG) to determine timing of delivery increased the chance of infant survival without neurological impairment. However, concerns with the interpretation were raised, as DV monitoring appeared to be associated with a non-significant increase in fetal death, and some infants were delivered after 32 weeks, at which time the study protocol no longer applied. This secondary sensitivity analysis of the TRUFFLE study focuses on women who delivered before 32 completed weeks' gestation and analyzes in detail the cases of fetal death. METHODS Monitoring data of 317 pregnancies with FGR that delivered before 32 weeks were analyzed, excluding those with absent outcome data or inevitable perinatal death. Women were allocated randomly to one of three groups of indication for delivery according to the following monitoring strategies: (1) reduced fetal heart rate short-term variation (STV) on CTG; (2) early changes in fetal DV waveform; and (3) late changes in fetal DV waveform. Primary outcome was 2-year survival without neurological impairment. The association of the last monitoring data before delivery and infant outcome was assessed by multivariable analysis. RESULTS Two-year survival without neurological impairment occurred more often in the two DV groups (both 83%) than in the CTG-STV group (77%), however, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.21). Among the surviving infants in the DV groups, 93% were free of neurological impairment vs 85% of surviving infants in the CTG-STV group (P = 0.049). All fetal deaths (n = 7) occurred in the groups with DV monitoring. Of the monitoring parameters obtained shortly before fetal death in these seven cases, an abnormal CTG was observed in only one case. Multivariable regression analysis of factors at study entry demonstrated that a later gestational age, higher estimated fetal weight-to-50th percentile ratio and lower umbilical artery pulsatility index (PI)/fetal middle cerebral artery-PI ratio were significantly associated with normal outcome. Allocation to DV monitoring had a smaller effect on outcome, but remained in the model (P < 0.1). Abnormal fetal arterial Doppler before delivery was significantly associated with adverse outcome in the CTG-STV group. In contrast, abnormal DV flow was the only monitoring parameter associated with adverse outcome in the DV groups, while fetal arterial Doppler, STV below the cut-off used in the CTG-STV group and recurrent decelerations in fetal heart rate were not. CONCLUSIONS In accordance with the findings of the TRUFFLE study on monitoring and intervention management of very preterm FGR, we found that the proportion of infants surviving without neuroimpairment was not significantly different when the decision for delivery was based on changes in DV waveform vs reduced STV on CTG. The uneven distribution of fetal deaths towards the DV groups was probably a chance effect, and neurological outcome was better among surviving children in these groups. Before 32 weeks, delaying delivery until abnormalities in DV-PI or STV and/or recurrent decelerations in fetal heat rate occur, as defined by the study protocol, is likely to be safe and possibly benefits long-term outcome. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Ganzevoort
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - N Mensing Van Charante
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - B Thilaganathan
- Fetal Medicine Unit, St George's, University of London & St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, London, UK
| | - F Prefumo
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - B Arabin
- Center for Mother and Child of the Phillips University, Marburg, Germany
| | - C M Bilardo
- Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - C Brezinka
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - J B Derks
- Perinatal Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - A Diemert
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - J J Duvekot
- Division of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - E Ferrazzi
- Children's Hospital, Buzzi, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - T Frusca
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maggiore Hospital, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - K Hecher
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - N Marlow
- University College London Institute for Women's Health Ringgold Standard Institution - Neonatology, London, UK
| | - P Martinelli
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - E Ostermayer
- Section of Perinatal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Technical University, Munich, Germany
| | - A T Papageorghiou
- Fetal Medicine Unit, St George's, University of London & St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, London, UK
| | - D Schlembach
- Department of Obstetrics, Vivantes Clinic Neukölln, Berlin, Germany
| | - K T M Schneider
- Section of Perinatal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Technical University, Munich, Germany
| | - T Todros
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - A Valcamonico
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maggiore Hospital, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - G H A Visser
- Perinatal Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - A Van Wassenaer-Leemhuis
- Department of Neonatology, Emma Children's Hospital Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C C Lees
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - H Wolf
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Dall'Asta A, Paramasivam G, Lees CC. Qualitative evaluation of Crystal Vue rendering technology in assessment of fetal lip and palate. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2017; 49:549-552. [PMID: 27804201 DOI: 10.1002/uog.17346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Revised: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A Dall'Asta
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - G Paramasivam
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - C C Lees
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Affiliation(s)
- C Ghossein-Doha
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC) & Cardiology Department, Zuyderland Medisch Centrum Heerlen, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - A Khalil
- Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - C C Lees
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Mahendru AA, Foo FL, McEniery CM, Everett TR, Wilkinson IB, Lees CC. Change in maternal cardiac output from preconception to mid-pregnancy is associated with birth weight in healthy pregnancies. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2017; 49:78-84. [PMID: 27859800 DOI: 10.1002/uog.17368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2016] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Birth weight (BW) is thought to be determined by maternal health and genetic, nutritional and placental factors, the latter being influenced by anatomical development and perfusion. Maternal cardiovascular changes contribute to uteroplacental perfusion; however, they have not yet been investigated in relation to fetal growth or BW. Our aim was to explore the relationship between maternal cardiovascular adaptation, fetal growth and BW in healthy pregnancies. METHODS This was a longitudinal prospective study of women planning to conceive a pregnancy. Maternal cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI), pulse-wave velocity, aortic augmentation index, central blood pressure and peripheral vascular resistance were assessed prior to pregnancy and at 6, 23 and 33 weeks' gestation. Fetal growth was assessed using serial ultrasound measurements of biometry. RESULTS In total, 143 women volunteered to participate and were eligible for study inclusion. A total of 101 women conceived within 18 months and there were 64 live births with normal pregnancy outcome. There were positive correlations between BW and the pregnancy-induced changes in CO (ρ = 0.4, P = 0.004), CI (ρ = 0.3, P = 0.02) and peripheral vascular resistance (ρ = 0.3, P = 0.02). There were significant associations between second-to-third-trimester fetal weight gain and the prepregnancy-to-second-trimester increase in CO (Δ, 0.8 ± 1.2 L/min; ρ = 0.3, P = 0.02) and CI (Δ, 0.4 ± 0.6 L/min/m2 ; ρ = 0.3, P = 0.04) and reduction in aortic augmentation index (Δ, -10 ± 9%; ρ = -0.3, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS In healthy pregnancy, incremental changes in maternal CO in early pregnancy are associated with third-trimester fetal growth and BW. It is plausible that this association is causative as the changes predate third-trimester fetal growth and eventual BW. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Mahendru
- Fetal Medicine Department, Rosie Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - F L Foo
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - C M McEniery
- Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapeutics, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - T R Everett
- Fetal Medicine Department, Rosie Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - I B Wilkinson
- Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapeutics, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - C C Lees
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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29
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Lawin-O'Brien AR, Dall'Asta A, Knight C, Sankaran S, Scala C, Khalil A, Bhide A, Heggarty S, Rakow A, Pasupathy D, Papageorghiou AT, Lees CC. Short-term outcome of periviable small-for-gestational-age babies: is our counseling up to date? Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2016; 48:636-641. [PMID: 27854384 DOI: 10.1002/uog.15973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Revised: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There are limited data for counseling on and management of periviable small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses. We therefore aimed to investigate the short-term outcome of periviable SGA fetuses in relation to the likely underlying cause. METHODS This was a retrospective study of data from three London tertiary fetal medicine centers obtained between 2000 and 2015. We included viable singleton pregnancies with a severely small fetus, defined as those with an abdominal circumference ≤ 3rd percentile, identified between 22 + 0 and 25 + 6 weeks' gestation. Data obtained included fetal biometry, presence of placental anomalies, uterine and fetal Doppler and neonatal outcome. We excluded cases with structural abnormalities, proven or suspected abnormal karyotype or genetic syndromes. Cases were classified according to the suspected underlying cause of the small fetal size into one of the following categories: uteroplacental insufficiency, evidence of placental damage with normal uterine artery Doppler, viral infection, or unclassied. RESULTS There were 245 cases included in the study. Of these, at diagnosis of SGA, 201 (82%) were categorized as uteroplacental cause, 13 (5%) as suspected placental cause, one (0.4%) as suspected viral cause and 30 (12%) could not be assigned to any of these categories. Overall, 101 (41%) cases survived the neonatal period; 89 (36%) underwent in-utero fetal demise, 22 (9%) died neonatally and 33 (14%) pregnancies were terminated. The diagnosis-to-delivery interval was 8.1 weeks in those that survived and 4.5 weeks in those that died neonatally. CONCLUSIONS Almost 90% of periviable SGA cases are associated with uteroplacental insufficiency or intraplacental damage. Survival is related to gestational age at delivery, with outcomes better than might be assumed at diagnosis and some pregnancies reaching term. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Lawin-O'Brien
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare, London, UK
| | - A Dall'Asta
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare, London, UK
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - C Knight
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - S Sankaran
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - C Scala
- Fetal Medicine Unit, St George's Hospital, University of London, London, UK
| | - A Khalil
- Fetal Medicine Unit, St George's Hospital, University of London, London, UK
| | - A Bhide
- Fetal Medicine Unit, St George's Hospital, University of London, London, UK
| | - S Heggarty
- Department of Neonatology, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare, London, UK
| | - A Rakow
- Department of Neonatology, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare, London, UK
| | - D Pasupathy
- Women's Health Academic Centre, Division of Women's Health, King's Health Partners Biomedical Research Centre, King's College London, London, UK
| | - A T Papageorghiou
- Fetal Medicine Unit, St George's Hospital, University of London, London, UK
| | - C C Lees
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare, London, UK
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Affiliation(s)
- C J Shaw
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - C C Lees
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - D A Giussani
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Dall'Asta A, Paramasivam G, Lees CC. Crystal Vue technique for imaging fetal spine and ribs. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2016; 47:383-384. [PMID: 26511656 DOI: 10.1002/uog.15800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 10/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A Dall'Asta
- Centre for Fetal Care, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - G Paramasivam
- Centre for Fetal Care, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - C C Lees
- Centre for Fetal Care, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Eggebø TM, Hassan WA, Salvesen KÅ, Torkildsen EA, Østborg TB, Lees CC. Prediction of delivery mode by ultrasound-assessed fetal position in nulliparous women with prolonged first stage of labor. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2015; 46:606-610. [PMID: 25536955 DOI: 10.1002/uog.14773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2014] [Revised: 09/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To ascertain if fetal head position on transabdominal ultrasound is associated with delivery by Cesarean section in nulliparous women with a prolonged first stage of labor. METHODS This was a prospective observational study performed at Stavanger University Hospital, Norway, and Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK, between January 2012 and April 2013. Nulliparous pregnant women with a singleton cephalic presentation at term and prolonged labor had fetal head position assessed by ultrasound. The main outcome was Cesarean section vs vaginal delivery, and secondary outcomes were association of fetal head position with operative vaginal delivery and duration of remaining time in labor. RESULTS Fetal head position was assessed successfully by ultrasound examination in 142/150 (95%) women. In total, 19/50 (38%) women with a fetus in the occiput posterior (OP) position were delivered by Cesarean section compared with 16/92 (17%) women with a fetus in a non-OP position (P = 0.01). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, the OP position predicted delivery by Cesarean section with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.9 (95% CI, 1.3-6.7; P = 0.01) and induction of labor with an OR of 2.4 (95% CI, 1.0-5.6; P = 0.05). Fetal head position was not associated with operative vaginal delivery or with remaining time in labor. The agreement between a digital and an ultrasound assessment of OP position was poor (Cohen's kappa = 0.19; P = 0.18). CONCLUSION OP fetal head position assessed by transabdominal ultrasound was significantly associated with delivery by Cesarean section.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M Eggebø
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
- National Center for Fetal Medicine, Trondheim University Hospital (St Olavs Hospital), Trondheim, Norway
| | - W A Hassan
- Fetal Medicine Department, Rosie Maternity Hospital, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - K Å Salvesen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children's and Women's Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - E A Torkildsen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - T B Østborg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - C C Lees
- Fetal Medicine Department, Rosie Maternity Hospital, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
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Fanelli T, Alberry M, Hassan W, Lees CC. Transverse septum lingual view on two-dimensional ultrasound for prenatal detection of cleft palate. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2015; 46:509-510. [PMID: 25728328 DOI: 10.1002/uog.14835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2013] [Revised: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/22/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- T Fanelli
- Department of Fetal Medicine, Rosie Maternity, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
| | - M Alberry
- Department of Fetal Medicine, Rosie Maternity, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
| | - W Hassan
- Department of Fetal Medicine, Rosie Maternity, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
| | - C C Lees
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Du Cane Road, Imperial College Health NHS Trust, London, W12 0HS, UK
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Axell RG, Gillett A, Pasupathy D, Chudleigh T, Brockelsby J, White PA, Lees CC. Accuracy of nuchal translucency measurement depends on equipment used and its calibration. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2014; 44:31-37. [PMID: 24448754 DOI: 10.1002/uog.13306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2013] [Revised: 10/25/2013] [Accepted: 11/22/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of different ultrasound machine-probe combinations on nuchal translucency (NT) measurements and to assess how this impacts on the accuracy of the NT-derived component of first-trimester screening for trisomy 21. METHODS Sixteen different ultrasound machine-probe combinations were used for axial measurement of 2.0-, 3.0- and 4.0-mm spaced targets in an ultrasound phantom. Differences between the measured and known values were determined. The mean of the axial measurements was used to calculate adjusted risks for trisomy 21, given specific clinical scenarios. RESULTS Differences observed using different machine-probe combinations for the 2.0-mm target ranged from 1.8-2.2 mm; for the 3.0-mm target, 2.7-3.2 mm; and for the 4-mm target, 3.7-4.3 mm, and exceeded those due to intraobserver variability. For a fetal crown-rump length of 50.0 mm and NT measurement of 2.0 mm, the maximum/minimum measurements in the fetus of a 40-year-old woman led to derived risks ranging from 1 in 32 (NT, 2.2 mm) to 1 in 189 (NT, 1.8 mm) and in the fetus of a 20-year-old with an NT of 3.0 mm these ranged from 1 in 102 (NT, 3.2 mm) to 1 in 160 (NT, 2.7 mm). CONCLUSIONS We have described the effect of machine-probe combinations on small but very precise ultrasound measurements. Such machine-probe combinations led to greater variability than those ascribed to intraobserver differences, and significantly affected the screening risk for the same fixed measurement. This finding has implications for Down syndrome screening algorithms and audit of ultrasound operators. Furthermore, most ultrasound machines are neither calibrated nor specified for measurements of tenths of a mm.
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Affiliation(s)
- R G Axell
- Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK; Postgraduate Medical Institute, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, UK
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Shaw CJ, ter Haar GR, Rivens IH, Giussani DA, Lees CC. Pathophysiological mechanisms of high-intensity focused ultrasound-mediated vascular occlusion and relevance to non-invasive fetal surgery. J R Soc Interface 2014; 11:20140029. [PMID: 24671935 PMCID: PMC4006242 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2014.0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2014] [Accepted: 03/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a non-invasive technology, which can be used occlude blood vessels in the body. Both the theory underlying and practical process of blood vessel occlusion are still under development and relatively sparse in vivo experimental and therapeutic data exist. HIFU would however provide an alternative to surgery, particularly in circumstances where serious complications inherent to surgery outweigh the potential benefits. Accordingly, the HIFU technique would be of particular utility for fetal and placental interventions, where open or endoscopic surgery is fraught with difficulty and likelihood of complications including premature delivery. This assumes that HIFU could be shown to safely and effectively occlude blood vessels in utero. To understand these mechanisms more fully, we present a review of relevant cross-specialty literature on the topic of vascular HIFU and suggest an integrative mechanism taking into account clinical, physical and engineering considerations through which HIFU may produce vascular occlusion. This model may aid in the design of HIFU protocols to further develop this area, and might be adapted to provide a non-invasive therapy for conditions in fetal medicine where vascular occlusion is beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. J. Shaw
- Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0HS, UK
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - G. R. ter Haar
- Joint Department of Physics, Institute of Cancer Research: Royal Marsden NHSF Trust, Downs Road, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5PT, UK
| | - I. H. Rivens
- Joint Department of Physics, Institute of Cancer Research: Royal Marsden NHSF Trust, Downs Road, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5PT, UK
| | - D. A. Giussani
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - C. C. Lees
- Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0HS, UK
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Belgium
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Eggebø TM, Hassan WA, Salvesen KÅ, Lindtjørn E, Lees CC. Sonographic prediction of vaginal delivery in prolonged labor: a two-center study. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2014; 43:195-201. [PMID: 24105705 DOI: 10.1002/uog.13210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2013] [Revised: 09/03/2013] [Accepted: 09/06/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether head-perineum distance (HPD) measured by transperineal ultrasound is predictive of vaginal delivery and time remaining in labor in nulliparous women with prolonged first stage of labor and to compare the predictive value with that of angle of progression (AoP). METHODS This was a prospective observational study at Stavanger University Hospital, Norway and Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK from January 2012 to April 2013, of nulliparous women with singleton pregnancies with cephalic presentation at term with prolonged first stage of labor. We used transperineal ultrasound to measure HPD (shortest distance between the outer bony limit of the fetal skull and the perineum) and AoP (angle between a line through the long axis of the symphysis and the tangent to the fetal head) and transabdominal ultrasound to classify fetal head position. The main outcomes were vaginal delivery and time remaining in labor. RESULTS Of 150 women enrolled, 39 underwent delivery by Cesarean section. The area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve for the prediction of vaginal delivery was 81% (95% CI, 73-89%) using HPD as the test variable and 72% (95% CI, 63-82%) using AoP. HPD was ≤ 40 mm in 84 (56%) women, of whom 77 (92%; 95% CI, 84-96%) delivered vaginally. HPD was > 40 mm in the other 66 (44%) women, of whom 34 (52%; 95% CI, 40-63%) delivered vaginally. AoP was ≥ 110° in 84 of the 145 (58%) in whom this was available and, of these, 74 (88%; 95% CI, 79-93%) delivered vaginally. AoP was < 110° in the other 61 (42%) women, of whom 35 (57%; 95% CI, 45-69%) delivered vaginally. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that HPD ≤ 40 mm (odds ratio (OR), 4.92; 95% CI, 1.54-15.80), AoP ≥ 110° (OR, 3.11; 95% CI, 1.01-9.56), non-occiput posterior position (OR, 3.36; 95% CI, 1.24-9.12) and spontaneous onset of labor (OR, 4.44; 95% CI, 1.42-13.89) were independent predictors for vaginal delivery. Both ultrasound methods were predictive for the time remaining in labor. CONCLUSION Transperineal ultrasound measurement of HPD and AoP provide important information about the likelihood of vaginal delivery and the time remaining in labor in nulliparous women with prolonged labor.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M Eggebø
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway; National Center for Fetal Medicine, Trondheim University Hospital (St Olavs Hospital), Trondheim, Norway
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Hassan WA, Eggebø T, Ferguson M, Gillett A, Studd J, Pasupathy D, Lees CC. The sonopartogram: a novel method for recording progress of labor by ultrasound. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2014; 43:189-194. [PMID: 24105734 DOI: 10.1002/uog.13212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/05/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Progress of labor has hitherto been assessed by digital vaginal examination (VE). We introduce the concept of a non-intrusive ultrasound (US)-based assessment of labor progress (the 'sonopartogram') and investigate its feasibility for assessing cervical dilatation and fetal head descent and rotation. METHODS This was a prospective study performed in 20 women in the first stage of labor in two European maternity units. Almost simultaneous assessment of cervical dilatation and fetal head descent and rotation were made by US and digital VE. RESULTS The total number of paired US and digital VE assessments was 52, with a median of three per woman. Overall, 5% of sonopartogram parameters were not obtained compared with 18% of conventional digital VE parameters (P < 0.001). Assessment of cervical dilatation was possible in 86.5% of US examinations and 100% of digital VEs (P = 0.02), and dilatation was assessed as being greater by digital VE than by US (mean difference, 1.16 (95% limits of agreement, -0.76, 3.08) cm, r(2) = 0.68, P = 0.01). Fetal head descent was measured in all 52 cases by both methods (r(2) = 0.33, P < 0.001), but correlation between the two was only moderate. Head rotation was obtainable in 98% of US examinations and 46% of digital VEs (P < 0.001), with a mean difference of -3.9° (95% limits of agreement, -144.1°, 136.3°). CONCLUSION In this proof-of-concept study, the acquisition of data regarding progress of labor was more successful for the sonopartogram than the conventional partogram. The agreement between digital VE and US was good for cervical dilatation and head rotation but less so for head descent. US assessment of the progress of labor is feasible in most cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- W A Hassan
- Fetal Medicine Department, Rosie Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
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Jessop FA, Lees CC, Pathak S, Hook CE, Sebire NJ. Umbilical cord coiling: clinical outcomes in an unselected population and systematic review. Virchows Arch 2013; 464:105-12. [PMID: 24259031 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-013-1513-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2013] [Revised: 11/04/2013] [Accepted: 11/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This study was conducted to determine the frequency of pre-defined clinical outcomes in relation to umbilical cord coiling indices >90th percentile and <10th percentile in an unselected population of >1,000 women with a singleton pregnancy resulting in livebirth delivering at or near term and to report these findings in the context of a systematic review. Placentas of consecutive deliveries from an unselected low-risk population with >15 cm attached umbilical cords were included in the study. Clinical outcomes included interventional delivery, birthweight <10th percentile, Apgar score <7 at 1 min, neonatal acidosis (pH<7.2) and admission to neonatal special care. Standard MOOSE (Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) guidelines were observed for the systematic review. Umbilical coiling index was determined for 1,082 placentas. Mean maternal age was 30.7 years (standard deviation [SD] =5.7) and 519 women (48 %) were primiparous. Mean cord length was 43 cm (SD=13) and mean cord coiling index 0.20 (SD=0.09). A total of 866 cords were normally coiled, and 108 cases were hypercoiled (>90th centile) and 108 cases were undercoiled (<10th percentile). There were no differences between cases of overcoiled, normally coiled or undercoiled cords for any clinical outcome studied. The systematic review yielded a small number of clinical studies which were too statistically and clinically heterogenous to permit meta-analysis. There is insufficient evidence either from this unselected cohort study or from a systematic review to support the previous suggestion that cord coiling index >90th centile or <10th centile is associated with adverse clinical outcome in an unselected population. Previous studies that draw a link between abnormal cord coiling and clinical outcome are generally too small and/or selective to allow meaningful conclusions or applicability to low-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- F A Jessop
- Department of Paediatric Pathology, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, UK
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Mahendru AA, Daemen A, Everett TR, Wilkinson IB, McEniery CM, Abdallah Y, Timmerman D, Bourne T, Lees CC. Impact of ovulation and implantation timing on first-trimester crown-rump length and gestational age. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2012; 40:630-635. [PMID: 22858888 DOI: 10.1002/uog.12277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/17/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the impact of ovulation and implantation timing on first-trimester crown-rump length (CRL) and the derived gestational age (GA). METHOD One hundred and forty-three women who were trying to conceive were recruited prospectively. The timing of ovulation and implantation and the ovulation to implantation (O-I) interval were established in 101 pregnancies using home urinary tests for luteinizing hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin. In 71 ongoing pregnancies, GA determined by measurement of fetal CRL at 10-14 weeks' gestation was compared with GA based on ovulation and implantation day. First-trimester growth was determined by serial ultrasound scans at 6-7, 8-9 and 10-14 weeks. RESULTS The median ovulation and implantation days were 16 and 27, respectively, with an O-I interval of 11 days. GA estimated from CRL at 10-14 weeks was on average 1.3 days greater than that derived from ovulation timing. CRL Z-score was inversely related to O-I interval (ρ= -0.431, P=0.0009). There was no significant relationship between CRL growth rate and the difference between observed CRL and expected CRL based on GA from last menstrual period (ρ=0.224, P=0.08). CONCLUSIONS Early implantation leads to a larger CRL and late implantation to a smaller CRL at 10-14 weeks, independent of CRL growth rate. Implantation timing is a major determinant of fetal size at 10-14 weeks and largely explains the variation in estimates of GA in the first trimester derived from embryonic or fetal CRL.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Mahendru
- Fetal Medicine Department, Rosie Hospital, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
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Everett TR, Lees CC. Beyond the placental bed: placental and systemic determinants of the uterine artery Doppler waveform. Placenta 2012; 33:893-901. [PMID: 22902007 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2012.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2012] [Revised: 05/13/2012] [Accepted: 07/16/2012] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The uterine artery Doppler waveform has been extensively investigated, though its widespread clinical use as a predictor of adverse pregnancy outcome remains under debate. The determinants of the waveform have classically been ascribed to transformation of the spiral arteries and the development of a low resistance uteroplacental circulation, failure of which predisposes to pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction and other adverse outcomes. It has become increasingly evident that although spiral artery transformation determines in some part the characteristics of the Doppler waveform, factors pertaining to maternal vascular and endothelial function are also important.
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Affiliation(s)
- T R Everett
- Dept of Fetal Medicine, Box 228, Rosie Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, Cambridge CB2 2SW, UK
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Aiken CE, Lees CC. Long-term effects of in utero Doppler ultrasound scanning--a developmental programming perspective. Med Hypotheses 2012; 78:539-41. [PMID: 22325988 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2012.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2011] [Accepted: 01/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Ultrasound scanning has been used as a diagnostic and screening tool in obstetric practice for over 50 years. There is no evidence of immediate or long-term harm to the developing fetus from exposure to B mode ultrasound. However, exposure to high levels of Doppler ultrasound during early development is increasingly common, and the full safety implications of this exposure are not clear. Doppler ultrasound exposure in utero gives rise to increased apoptosis in animal models, and there is evidence of the effects of exposure to Doppler ultrasound persisting throughout life, with increased non-right-handedness observed in human epidemiological studies. We consider the idea that there may be long-term developmental implications for fetuses exposed to Doppler ultrasound early in gestation. These effects may be mediated via thermal or mechanical disruption to the developing conceptus, giving rise to free radical damage. Excess free radical exposure early in gestation is a strong candidate for the final common pathway underlying developmental programming effects, and gives rise to concern that fetuses exposed to high levels of ultrasound are at risk of a developmental programming effect. It is suggested that there is a need for animal studies of developmental programming using exposure to Doppler ultrasound scanning as the exposure of interest, and for more observational data to be collected in the clinical setting. While these data are collected, it seems prudent to continue to adhere to the principle of 'as low as reasonably achievable' (ALARA) when exposing first-trimester fetuses to Doppler ultrasound.
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Affiliation(s)
- C E Aiken
- Division of Fetal Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
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Breeze ACG, Jessop FA, Set PAK, Whitehead AL, Cross JJ, Lomas DJ, Hackett GA, Joubert I, Lees CC. Minimally-invasive fetal autopsy using magnetic resonance imaging and percutaneous organ biopsies: clinical value and comparison to conventional autopsy. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2011; 37:317-323. [PMID: 20878677 DOI: 10.1002/uog.8844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Autopsy is an important investigation following fetal death or termination for fetal abnormality. Postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide macroscopic information of comparable quality to that of conventional autopsy in the event of perinatal death. It does not provide tissue for histological examination, which may limit the quality of counseling for recurrence risks and elucidation of the cause of death. We sought to examine the comparability and clinical value of a combination of postmortem MRI and percutaneous fetal organ biopsies (minimally invasive autopsy (MIA)) with conventional fetal autopsy. METHODS Forty-four fetuses underwent postmortem MRI and attempted percutaneous biopsy (using surface landmarks) of major fetal organs (liver, lung, heart, spleen, kidney, adrenal and thymus) following fetal death or termination for abnormality, prior to conventional autopsy, which was considered the 'gold standard'. We compared significant findings of the two examinations for both diagnostic information and clinical significance. Ancillary investigations (such as radiographs and placental histology) were regarded as common to the two forms of autopsy. RESULTS In 21 cases conventional autopsy provided superior diagnostic information to that of MIA. In two cases the MIA provided superior diagnostic information to that of conventional autopsy, when autolysis prevented detailed examination of the fetal brain. In the remaining 21 cases, conventional autopsy and MIA provided equivalent diagnostic information. With regard to clinical significance, however, in 32 (72.7%) cases, the MIA provided information of at least equivalent clinical significance to that of conventional autopsy. In no case did the addition of percutaneous biopsies reveal information of additional clinical significance. CONCLUSIONS Although in some cases MRI may provide additional information, conventional perinatal autopsy remains the gold standard for the investigation of fetal death. The utility of adding percutaneous organ biopsies, without imaging guidance, to an MRI-based fetal autopsy remains unproven. Postmortem MRI, combined with ancillary investigations such as placental histology, external examination by a pathologist, cytogenetics and plain radiography provided information of equivalent clinical significance in the majority of cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C G Breeze
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
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Habayeb O, Daemen A, Timmerman D, De Moor B, Hackett GA, Bourne T, Lees CC. The relationship between first trimester fetal growth, pregnancy-associated plasma protein A levels and birthweight. Prenat Diagn 2010; 30:873-8. [PMID: 20658697 DOI: 10.1002/pd.2578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We sought to define the relationship between first trimester fetal growth, pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) levels and birthweight. METHODS Two-hundred and one women with repeat first trimester crown-rump length (CRL) measurements were included. In 194, the first trimester PAPP-A value was known and in 169 there was complete data including birthweight. Fetal growth curves were derived using functional linear discriminant analysis (FLDA) and growth compared between those with < 10th percentile, 10th to 90th and > 90th percentile PAPP-A multiple of median (MoM) levels and birthweight percentiles. RESULTS Median maternal age was 35 years, gestation at PAPP-A sampling and of first scan was 11 weeks. Median delivery gestation was 40 weeks and birthweight 3425 g. There was no association between first trimester fetal CRL growth and either PAPP-A MoM percentile or birthweight percentile. There was a significant positive correlation between PAPP-A MoM and birthweight percentile (p = 0.0004). CONCLUSIONS First trimester fetal growth rate is not related to birthweight percentile or first trimester PAPP-A levels. Irrespective of gestation, a low PAPP-A is associated with delivery of a smaller baby, and a high PAPP-A with a larger baby.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Habayeb
- Division of Fetal-Maternal Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Hills Road, Cambridge, UK
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Hunt BJ, Missfelder-Lobos H, Parra-Cordero M, Fletcher O, Parmar K, Lefkou E, Lees CC. Pregnancy outcome and fibrinolytic, endothelial and coagulation markers in women undergoing uterine artery Doppler screening at 23 weeks. J Thromb Haemost 2009; 7:955-61. [PMID: 19320824 DOI: 10.1111/j.1538-7836.2009.03344.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pre-eclampsia (PET) and/or fetal growth restriction (FGR) remain a major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. In pregnancy, fibrinolysis is controlled by the maternal endothelium and placenta, both of which are central to the pathogenesis of PET/FGR. Clinically, uterine artery Doppler screening at 23 weeks is used to predict PET/FGR. An abnormal uterine artery Doppler finding is defined as early diastolic bilateral uterine artery notching (BN) in the waveform. However, about 50% of mothers with BN do not develop PET/FGR. OBJECTIVES We investigated fibrinolytic changes and uterine artery Doppler findings in the second trimester, and related them to pregnancy outcome; in particular assessing whether fibrinolytic markers could discriminate between normal and abnormal outcome in mothers with BN. PATIENTS/METHODS Plasma levels of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 (PAI-2), plasmin-alpha(2) antiplasmin (PAP), D-dimers and markers of endothelial dysfunction were measured with Doppler ultrasound at 23 weeks. RESULTS Those with BN had decreased PAP and D-dimer levels, and raised PAI-1 and thrombomodulin levels. Mothers with BN and PET/FGR had significantly increased t-PA levels and reduced PAI-2 levels. CONCLUSIONS BN at 23 weeks of gestation is associated with increased PAI-1 levels. Within the BN group, mothers who developed PET/FGR had increased t-PA levels and decreased PAI-2 levels, although there was no net change in fibrinolysis as measured by D-dimer levels. No single fibrinolytic marker is helpful in determining pregnancy outcome in those with BN, but t-PA and PAI-2 are worthy of study in a multifactorial algorithm.
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Affiliation(s)
- B J Hunt
- Thrombosis & Vascular Biology Group, Department of Haematology, Guy's & St Thomas' Trust, London, UK.
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Breeze ACG, Gallagher FA, Lomas DJ, Smith GCS, Lees CC. Postmortem fetal organ volumetry using magnetic resonance imaging and comparison to organ weights at conventional autopsy. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2008; 31:187-193. [PMID: 18092338 DOI: 10.1002/uog.5199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Following perinatal death, organ weights at autopsy may provide evidence of growth restriction and pulmonary hypoplasia. Whilst postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may provide comparable information to autopsy about structural abnormalities, its ability to provide reproducible data about organ size has yet to be determined. We examined the feasibility of using postmortem MRI to provide estimates of organ size and weight. METHODS Twenty-five fetuses of gestational age from 16 to 40 weeks underwent postmortem MRI prior to autopsy. Fetal lung, brain and liver volume estimations were performed by two observers using the stereology technique on postmortem MRI slices. Fetal lung, brain and liver weights were recorded at autopsy. Organ volume estimates and autopsy organ weights were compared using regression analysis, and estimates of fetal organ densities made. Interobserver variability was assessed using a Bland-Altman plot. Receiver-operating characteristics curve (ROC) analysis compared MRI brain : liver volume ratios to autopsy brain : liver weight ratios. RESULTS A linear relationship between organ volume estimates and organ weight was observed. Estimated densities for the fetal brain, liver and lung were 1.08 g/cm(3), 1.15 g/cm(3) and 1.15 g/cm(3), respectively. Interobserver 5th and 95th percentile limits of agreement for fetal brain, liver and lung were - 5.4% to + 7.9%, - 11.8% to + 8.3% and - 14.3% to + 8.7%, respectively. For MRI organ volumes to detect a brain weight : liver weight ratio > or = 4, ROC analysis demonstrated an area under the curve of 0.61, with an optimal cut-off of 4.1. CONCLUSION Postmortem MRI organ volumetry can be used to estimate weights of major fetal organs. This may increase the information obtained from a minimally-invasive perinatal autopsy, particularly in the context of pulmonary hypoplasia and intrauterine growth restriction, where differential organ growth plays a major part in assessment of the underlying pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C G Breeze
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, UK
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Breeze ACG, Jessop FA, Whitehead AL, Set PAK, Berman L, Hackett GA, Lees CC. Feasibility of percutaneous organ biopsy as part of a minimally invasive perinatal autopsy. Virchows Arch 2007; 452:201-7. [DOI: 10.1007/s00428-007-0548-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2007] [Revised: 11/05/2007] [Accepted: 11/09/2007] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Abstract
Diagnosis of lethal fetal abnormality raises challenging decisions for parents and clinicians. Most parents opt for termination, which may include feticide. Advances in imaging seem unlikely to lead to earlier diagnoses. Perinatal palliative care offers an alternative. Parental decision making and the clinical aspects of perinatal palliative care were studied after a prenatal diagnosis of lethal fetal abnormality in 20 pregnancies. 40% of parents chose to continue the pregnancy and pursue perinatal palliative care. Six of these eight babies were liveborn and lived for between 1(1/2) h and 3 weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C G Breeze
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Box 228, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK
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Breeze ACG, Cross JJ, Hackett GA, Jessop FA, Joubert I, Lomas DJ, Set PAK, Whitehead AL, Lees CC. Use of a confidence scale in reporting postmortem fetal magnetic resonance imaging. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2006; 28:918-24. [PMID: 17124693 DOI: 10.1002/uog.3886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be an alternative to conventional autopsy. However, it is unclear how confident radiologists are in reporting such studies. We sought to determine the confidence with which radiologists report on various fetal organs by developing a scale to express their confidence of normality and abnormality, and to place this in the context of a pathological diagnosis of whether the organ was in fact normal or abnormal. METHODS Thirty fetuses, aged 16-39 gestational weeks and weighing 61-3270 g, underwent postmortem MRI prior to conventional autopsy. MRI studies were reported by two radiologists with access to the clinical and sonographic history: a neuroradiologist, reporting head and neck, and a pediatric radiologist, reporting thorax, abdomen and pelvis. Radiologists used a scale (0 = definitely abnormal, 100 = definitely normal, 50 = unable to comment) to indicate their confidence of anatomical structures being normal or abnormal, using a checklist. Conventional autopsies were performed by pediatric pathologists blinded to the MRI findings, and these were considered the reference standard. RESULTS Most normal fetal organs had high scores on postmortem MRI, with median confidence scores above 80. However, the atrioventricular valves, duodenum, bowel rotation and pancreas proved more difficult to assess, with median scores of 50, 60, 60 and 62.5, respectively. Abnormal cardiac atria and ventricles, kidneys, cerebral hemispheres and corpus callosum were always detected with high or moderate degrees of confidence (median scores of 2.5, 5, 0, 0 and 30 respectively). However, in two cases with abnormal cardiac outflow tracts, both cases scored 50. Kappa values, assessing agreement between MRI diagnoses of abnormality and autopsy, were high for the brain (0.83), moderate for the lungs (0.56) and fair for the heart (0.33). CONCLUSIONS This scoring system represents an attempt to define the confidence of radiologists to report varying degrees of normality and abnormality following z ex-utero fetal MRI. While most fetal anatomy is clearly visualized on postmortem MRI, radiologists may lack confidence reporting such studies and there are particular problems with assessment of some cardiac and gastrointestinal structures, both normal and abnormal.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C G Breeze
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
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Affiliation(s)
- A O R Porteous
- Department of Fetal and Maternal Medicine, The Rosie Hospital, Box 228, Robinson Way, Cambridge, UK
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