PRKAG2 -Related Lethal Congenital Glycogen Storage Disease of the Heart as Rare Cause of Fetal Hydrops With Bradycardia and Cardiomyopathy: Clinical Report and Literature Review.

Nonimmune foetal hydrops is a prenatal condition associated with significant perinatal mortality. It has so far been associated with over 200 chromosomal and monogenic conditions, most frequently chromosomal aneuploidies and RASopathies. Thorough clinical phenotyping and genetic evaluation are essential to determine the underlying etiology of this clinical entity and guide obstetrical and postnatal management.

Left Ventricular Outflow Occlusion: An Alternative Approach to Late Selective Fetal Termination in Monochorionic Twin Gestations.

We report the case of a monochorionic twin gestation discordant for a mutation in the chromodomain-helicase-DNA-binding protein 7 (CHD7) gene and cerebral abnormalities consequent to an early devastating cerebrovascular event. The parents elected for selective termination given the poor prognosis for this fetus, but given socio-economic considerations wished to defer this procedure as late in gestation as possible, despite awareness of the risks and limitations of existing techniques at the end of pregnancy.  A novel technique was used to achieve selective feticide in the late-preterm period.

Adherence and efficacy of mandibular advancement splint treatment of sleep-disordered breathing during pregnancy: a pilot study.

Purpose: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is common in pregnancy and is associated with adverse health consequences for both mother and child. Mandibular advancement splints (MAS) have been shown to improve sleep quality, daytime sleepiness and snoring in non-pregnant women. The effectiveness of MAS for treating SDB in pregnancy is unknown.

Neurological implications of antenatal corticosteroids on late preterm and term infants: a scoping review.

The objective of this study was to synthesize the body of knowledge on the association between ACS exposure for risk of preterm birth and brain development in infants ultimately born late preterm and term. Three databases and eight conference proceedings were systematically searched (1972-2021). Selection criteria included ACS administration for risk of preterm delivery, cohort of late preterm and term infants, and assessment of brain development.

Committee Opinion No. 418: The Complete 11-14 Week Prenatal Sonographic Examination.

Objective: Sonography during the first trimester provides an opportunity to assess a pregnancy in its early stage. This document provides an opinion about the implementation and content of prenatal sonographic examinations at 11-14 weeks gestation in Canada.

Target Population: Pregnant women at 11-14 weeks gestation.

Fetal Sclerotherapy for Hydropic Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformations of the Lung Refractory to Steroids: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Microcystic congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations (CCAM), when associated with hydrops, carry a dismal prognosis. Options for treatment are limited and experimental, including antenatal corticosteroids, open fetal surgery, laser ablation and, more recently, sclerotherapy. We describe a case of a large, predominantly microcystic CCAM in a hydropic fetus treated successfully with direct interstitial injection of a sclerosant agent (3% sodium tetradecyl sulfate) at 23+3 weeks gestation, after multiple failed courses of steroids.

Prenatal incision of ureterocele causing bladder outlet obstruction: a multicenter case series.

We reviewed data from a cohort of fetuses with ureterocele diagnosed and operated prenatally in four fetal therapy centers. Inclusion criteria were (1) ureterocele confirmed on detailed fetal ultrasound examination, (2) absence of additional fetal malformations, and (3) fetal intervention to decompress the ureterocele with local institutional review boards' approval. Data on sonographic follow-up, obstetrical, neonatal outcome, and postnatal evaluation were collected.

Obstetrical and neonatal outcomes of triplet births - spontaneous versus assisted reproductive technology conception.

Objective: To determine the average gestational age at birth and to compare obstetrical and neonatal outcomes of triplet births conceived spontaneously versus via assisted reproductive technology (ART).

Methods: A retrospective chart review of triplet pregnancies that resulted in three live babies was conducted at Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto, Canada) from January 2000 to June 2013.

Results: A total of 230 women and 690 fetuses were identified.

Rhinosinusitis-related quality of life during pregnancy.

Background: Pregnancy rhinitis manifests as nasal congestion, with resolution of symptoms after delivery. Eighteen to 30% of pregnant patients report symptoms of rhinitis. Pregnancy rhinitis may have an adverse effect on quality of life (QOL) and may cause obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which in turn may adversely affect the outcome of pregnancy.

Sonographic lower uterine segment thickness and risk of uterine scar defect: a systematic review.

Objective: To study the diagnostic accuracy of sonographic measurements of the lower uterine segment (LUS) thickness near term in predicting uterine scar defects in women with prior Caesarean section (CS).

Data Sources: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library (1965-2009).

Methods Of Study Selection: Studies of populations of women with previous low transverse CS who underwent third-trimester evaluation of LUS thickness were selected.

Acetylsalicylic acid for the prevention of preeclampsia and intra-uterine growth restriction in women with abnormal uterine artery Doppler: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Preeclampsia is a major global cause of maternal, neonatal and perinatal mortality. From studies of placental pathophysiology in women with preeclampsia, a potentially important role of low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in the prevention of preeclampsia was expected, but the results from clinical trials have been disappointing. While recent evidence has shown that uterine Doppler can predict preeclampsia as early as in the first trimester of pregnancy, most clinical trials have evaluated ASA in the second and third trimesters.

Bacteriology of amniotic fluid in women with suspected cervical insufficiency.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of mid-trimester microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC) in women with suspected cervical insufficiency.

Methods: A prospective observational cohort study was performed in women with suspected cervical insufficiency and visible fetal membranes who were undergoing amniocentesis to rule out MIAC between 16 and 26 weeks of gestation. Women with preterm premature rupture of membranes, regular uterine contractions, or who had a cervical cerclage were excluded.

The effect of second-trimester antibiotic therapy on the rate of preterm birth.

Objective: As many as 50% of spontaneous preterm births are infection-related, with Mycoplasma species being the most common microbial isolates from the amniotic cavity. The goal of our study was to evaluate the effect of macrolides, a specific group of antibiotics known to be effective against Mycoplasma species, on the rate of preterm births.

Methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis.

Eradication of intra-amniotic Streptococcus mutans in a woman with a short cervix.

Background: Microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC) remains an important pathogenetic factor in preterm births. Although most MIACs seem to originate in vaginal microflora, other reservoirs such as the oral microflora have been suggested.

Case: We report a case of successful eradication of Streptococcus mutans (a bacterium generally found in dental plaque) from the amniotic cavity, using ampicillin, gentamycin, and azythromycin in a woman who presented with threatened preterm labour and a short cervix at 25 weeks' gestation.

Mid-trimester genetic amniocentesis in twin pregnancy and the risk of fetal loss.

Objective: To assess the rate of fetal losses in twin pregnancies undergoing genetic mid-trimester amniocentesis.

Methods: In the first part of this investigation, a retrospective cohort study compared a group of women . 32 years old with twin pregnancies who underwent amniocentesis with a similar group unexposed to amniocentesis.

Intra-amniotic sludge, short cervix, and risk of preterm delivery.

Objective: To evaluate the association between intra-amniotic sludge seen at cervical ultrasound and preterm delivery.

Method: This retrospective study included women at high risk for preterm delivery who were referred for second trimester cervical length measurement by ultrasound between 18 and 32 weeks' gestation. Patients with multiple gestations, cerclage, or preterm labour were excluded.