Early Supraspinal Influences on Human Embryonic Posture.

Knowledge of embryonic body posture as a reflection of neurodevelopment is limited. Here, we investigate embryonic body posture, preference, symmetry, and lateralization during periods of rest using virtual reality (VR) and four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound techniques to enhance our knowledge of neurodevelopment. It is hypothesized that lateralization and asymmetry in embryonic posture are absent.

Associations of periconception dietary glycemic index and load with fertility in women and men: a study among couples in the general population.

Background: The dietary glycemic index (GI) and load (GL) reflect carbohydrate quality and quantity, potentially impacting fertility through modulation of insulin sensitivity and generation of oxidative stress. While fertility is influenced by both women and men, reproductive research often emphasizes maternal factors. We first examined periconception dietary intake in both women and male partners, and subsequent associations of dietary GI and GL with fecundability and subfertility.

Periconceptional maternal intake of ultra-processed foods, energy and macronutrients the impact on imaging markers of early utero-placental vascular development: The rotterdam periconception cohort.

Background & Aims: The quantity and quality of maternal nutrition in the periconception period is an important determinant for embryonic and foetal development and subsequent pregnancy course and outcome. The intake of ultra-processed foods (UPF) has increased worldwide and adverse health outcomes have been reported. However, the impact of UPF intake on the placenta, essential for prenatal nourishment, is unknown.

Maternal serum PlGF associates with 3D power doppler ultrasound markers of utero-placental vascular development in the first trimester: the rotterdam periconception cohort.

Objective (s): Circulating angiogenic factors are used for prediction of placenta-related complications, but their associations with first-trimester placental development is unknown. This study investigates associations between maternal angiogenic factors and utero-placental vascular volume (uPVV) and utero-placental vascular skeleton (uPVS) as novel imaging markers of volumetric and morphologic (branching) development of the first-trimester utero-placental vasculature.

Methods: In 185 ongoing pregnancies from the VIRTUAL Placenta study, a subcohort of the ongoing prospective Rotterdam Periconception cohort, three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasounds of the placenta were obtained at 7-9-11 weeks gestational age (GA).

First-trimester 3D power Doppler imaging markers of utero-placental vascular development are associated with placental weight and diameter at birth: The Rotterdam Periconception Cohort.

Introduction: Early utero-placental vascular development impacts placental development and function throughout pregnancy. We investigated whether impaired first-trimester utero-placental vascular development is associated with pathologic features of the postpartum placenta.

Methods: In this prospective observational study of 65 ongoing pregnancies, we obtained three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasounds of the placenta at 7, 9 and 11 weeks of gestation.

Development of the OPAL prediction model for prediction of live birth in couples with recurrent pregnancy loss: protocol for a prospective and retrospective cohort study in the Netherlands.

Introduction: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is defined as the loss of two or more conceptions before 24 weeks gestation. Despite extensive diagnostic workup, in only 25%-40% an underlying cause is identified. Several factors may increase the risk for miscarriage, but the chance of a successful pregnancy is still high.

Assessment of first-trimester utero-placental vascular morphology by 3D power Doppler ultrasound image analysis using a skeletonization algorithm: the Rotterdam Periconception Cohort.

Study Question: Can three-dimensional (3D) Power Doppler (PD) ultrasound and a skeletonization algorithm be used to assess first-trimester development of the utero-placental vascular morphology?

Summary Answer: The application of 3D PD ultrasonography and a skeletonization algorithm facilitates morphologic assessment of utero-placental vascular development in the first trimester and reveals less advanced vascular morphologic development in pregnancies with placenta-related complications than in pregnancies without placenta-related complications.

What Is Known Already: Suboptimal development of the utero-placental vasculature is one of the main contributors to the periconceptional origin of placenta-related complications. The nature and attribution of aberrant vascular structure and branching patterns remain unclear, as validated markers monitoring first-trimester utero-placental vascular morphologic development are lacking.

Tumour necrosis factor inhibitor use during pregnancy is associated with increased birth weight of rheumatoid arthritis patients' offspring.

Objectives: To study pregnancy outcomes in a closely monitored, well-defined cohort of women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In particular, pregnancy outcomes of women that used a TNFi during pregnancy.

Methods: Patients were derived from a prospective study on pregnancy and RA (Preconception Counseling in Active RA study) and treated according to a treatment protocol aimed at minimal disease activity.

Active counselling and well-controlled disease result in a higher percentage of women with rheumatoid arthritis that breast feed: results from the PreCARA study.

Objectives: Previous research has demonstrated that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are less likely to breast feed their offspring. Treatment options for RA during lactation have expanded and the importance of counselling is recognised. The aim of the current research was to study breast feeding among women with RA who benefit from these developments.

Innovative approach for first-trimester fetal organ volume measurements using a Virtual Reality system: The Generation R Next Study.

Introduction: To investigate the reproducibility of first-trimester fetal organ volume measurements using three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound and a Virtual Reality system.

Methods: Within a population-based prospective cohort study, 3D ultrasound datasets of 25 first-trimester fetuses were collected by three sonographers. We used the V-scope application to perform Virtual Reality volume assessments of the fetal heart, lungs, and kidneys.

Childhood Blood Pressure, Carotid Intima Media Thickness, and Distensibility After In Utero Exposure to Gestational Hypertensive Disorders.

Background Offspring exposed to gestational hypertensive disorders have higher blood pressure and increased risk of stroke in later life. Gestational hypertensive disorders might influence vascular development in the offspring, predisposing them to a higher blood pressure and stroke in later life. Methods and Results In a population-based cohort among 4777 mother-offspring pairs, we examined whether gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and higher gestational blood pressure across the full blood pressure spectrum were associated with offspring blood pressure, carotid intima media thickness, and distensibility at the age of 10 years.

Indication and outcome of lupus anticoagulant and antiphospholipid antibodies testing in routine clinical practice.

Objectives: Lupus anticoagulans (LACs) and aPLs, both further summarized as aPL, are frequently assessed in routine daily clinical practice in diagnostic workups for suspected autoimmune diseases or to test for underlying risk factors in patients with thrombosis or obstetric complications. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of aPL positivity in patients with an indication for aPL testing in routine clinical practice.

Methods: In this retrospective single-centre study, indication for aPL testing, aPL test results and clinical data were collected for patients tested between June 2015 and April 2018.

Toward more accurate prediction of future pregnancy outcome in couples with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss: taking both partners into account.

Objective: To identify, besides maternal age and the number of previous pregnancy losses, additional characteristics of couples with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) that improve the prediction of an ongoing pregnancy.

Design: Hospital-based cohort study in couples who visited specialized RPL units of two academic centers between 2012 and 2020.

Setting: Two academic centers in the Netherlands.

Corpus luteum number and the maternal renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system as determinants of utero-placental (vascular) development: the Rotterdam Periconceptional Cohort.

Background: Pregnancies with > 1 corpus luteum (CL) display a hyperdynamic circulation and an increased risk of small-for-gestational age deliveries. Among the factors released by the CL is prorenin, the inactive precursor of renin. Since the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is involved in early hemodynamic pregnancy adaptation, we linked both CL number and first-trimester concentrations of prorenin (as an indicator of RAAS activity) and the aldosterone/renin ratio (as an indicator of angiotensin-independent aldosterone effectiveness) to non-invasive markers of utero-placental (vascular) development, measured longitudinally from the first trimester onwards.

Periconceptional maternal and paternal homocysteine levels and early utero-placental (vascular) growth trajectories: The Rotterdam periconception cohort.

Introduction: Maternal elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) is involved in the origin of several placenta-related pregnancy complications. The first trimester is the most sensitive period for placentation influenced by maternal and paternal health. The aim is to study associations between periconceptional parental tHcy levels and utero-placental growth trajectories in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Associations of dietary glycemic index and load during pregnancy with blood pressure, placental hemodynamic parameters and the risk of gestational hypertensive disorders.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the associations of dietary glycemic index and load with gestational blood pressure, placental hemodynamic parameters and the risk of gestational hypertensive disorders.

Methods: In a population-based cohort among 3378 pregnant Dutch women, dietary glycemic index and load were assessed from food frequency questionnaires at median 13.4 (95% range 9.

First trimester fetal proportion volumetric measurements using a Virtual Reality approach.

Objective: To establish feasibility and reproducibility of fetal proportion volumetric measurements, using three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound and a Virtual Reality (VR) system.

Methods: Within a population-based prospective birth cohort, 3D ultrasound datasets of 50 fetuses in the late first trimester were collected by three ultrasonographers in a single research center. V-scope software was used for volumetric measurements of total fetus, extremities, head-trunk, head, trunk, thorax, and abdomen.

Systemic lupus erythematosus and COVID-19 during pregnancy.

The ongoing corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is having a worldwide impact. Valuable information on the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in pregnant patients with an autoimmune disease, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is currently lacking. Herein, we describe the clinical presentation of 2 pregnant patients with SLE and mild symptomatic COVID-19 infection.