A review of pregnancies complicated by congenital sacrococcygeal teratoma in the West Midlands region over an 18-year period: population-based, cohort study.

Objectives: To describe the epidemiology and outcomes of sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) and identify the factors affecting prognosis in a population-based cohort.

Methods: Analyses of fetal SCTs from a population-based congenital anomaly register between 1995 and 2012, linked to regional datasets. A systematic literature review was performed for published studies on perinatal SCT (1995 to 2012).

Epidemiology of partial urorectal septum malformation sequence (or 'persistent cloaca'): a population-based study in seven regions of England and Wales, 1985-2010.

Background: Partial urorectal septum malformation (pURSM) sequence (or 'persistent cloaca') is a rare congenital anomaly characterised by a joining of the urethral, anal, and genital openings into a single common channel. This study describes the epidemiology of pURSM sequence in England and Wales including prevalence, additional anomalies, and pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: All cases of pURSM sequence prospectively notified to seven congenital anomaly registers in England and Wales during 1985-2010, whether delivered as live births, spontaneous fetal deaths (≥20 weeks' gestation), or elective terminations of pregnancy for fetal anomaly (TOPFA, any gestation), formed this population-based cohort.

Monitoring the prenatal detection of structural fetal congenital anomalies in England and Wales: register-based study.

Objective: To provide current population-based prevalence and prenatal diagnosis rates (PND) for specified major congenital anomalies in England and Wales to enable monitoring of the Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme (FASP).

Design: Secondary analysis of prospectively collected registry data.

Setting: Seven multiple-source, population-based congenital anomaly registers, members of the British Isles Network of Congenital Anomaly Registers (BINOCAR) in 2005 and 2006.

Recreational drug use: a major risk factor for gastroschisis?

The authors tested the hypothesis that the birth prevalence of gastroschisis is positively associated with use of recreational drugs in early pregnancy. A matched case-control study was carried out in three regions of the United Kingdom over the period January 2001 through August 2003. For each case, three liveborn controls were matched by initial intended place of delivery, region, and maternal age.

Three-stage contingent screening for Down syndrome.

Objective: To demonstrate the potential value of three-stage sequential screening for Down syndrome.

Methods: Protocols were considered in which maternal serum pregnancy associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) measurements were taken on all women in the first trimester. Those women with very low Down syndrome risks were screened negative at that stage and nuchal translucency (NT) was measured on the remainder and the risk reassessed.

Classification of stillbirth by relevant condition at death (ReCoDe): population based cohort study.

Objective: To develop and test a new classification system for stillbirths to help improve understanding of the main causes and conditions associated with fetal death.

Design: Population based cohort study.

Setting: West Midlands region.

Are isolated facial cleft lip and palate associated with increased perinatal mortality? A cohort study from the West Midlands Region, 1995-1997.

Objective: To investigate the association between cleft lip and/or palate and perinatal mortality.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of cases of cleft lip/palate born to West Midlands residents from 1995 to 1997. Perinatal mortality for identified cases was compared with all births from 1995 to 1997.