The vanishing twin: Diagnosis and implications.

Vanishing twin syndrome (VTS), defined by first-trimester spontaneous loss of a twin, is a common phenomenon with a reported prevalence of 15-35% of twin pregnancies. The etiology of VTS is obscure. Still, several risk factors have been identified, including an increased number of embryos transferred in pregnancies conceived by in vitro fertilization, an initial increased number of gestational sacs and advanced maternal age.

Ursodeoxycholic acid in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis.

Background: Ursodeoxycholic acid is commonly used to treat intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, yet its largest trial detected minimal benefit for a composite outcome (stillbirth, preterm birth, and neonatal unit admission). We aimed to examine whether ursodeoxycholic acid affects specific adverse perinatal outcomes.

Methods: In this systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Global Health, MIDIRS, and Cochrane without language restrictions for relevant articles published between database inception, and Jan 1, 2020, using search terms referencing intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, ursodeoxycholic acid, and perinatal outcomes.

Outcome of monochorionic twin pregnancy complicated by Type-III selective intrauterine growth restriction.

Objective: Type-III selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR) is associated with a high and unpredictable risk of fetal death and fetal brain injury. The objective of this study was to describe the prospective risk of fetal death and the risk of adverse neonatal outcome in a cohort of twin pregnancies complicated by Type-III sIUGR and treated according to up-to-date guidelines.

Methods: We reviewed retrospectively all monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies complicated by Type-III sIUGR managed at nine fetal centers over a 12-year period.

Perinatal outcome of monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy complicated by selective intrauterine growth restriction according to umbilical artery Doppler flow pattern: single-center study using strict fetal surveillance protocol.

Objective: To determine the perinatal outcome of monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twin pregnancies complicated by selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR), which were classified according to the umbilical artery (UA) Doppler flow pattern of the IUGR twin.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of all MCDA twin pregnancies diagnosed with sIUGR and managed at a single tertiary referral center between 2012 and 2018. Cases were classified according to the UA Doppler flow pattern of the IUGR twin as Type I (positive end-diastolic flow), Type II (persistently absent/reversed end-diastolic flow) or Type III (intermittently absent/reversed end-diastolic flow).

Development and validation of a machine-learning model for prediction of shoulder dystocia.

Objectives: To develop a machine-learning (ML) model for prediction of shoulder dystocia (ShD) and to externally validate the model's predictive accuracy and potential clinical efficacy in optimizing the use of Cesarean delivery in the context of suspected macrosomia.

Methods: We used electronic health records (EHR) from the Sheba Medical Center in Israel to develop the model (derivation cohort) and EHR from the University of California San Francisco Medical Center to validate the model's accuracy and clinical efficacy (validation cohort). Subsequent to application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, the derivation cohort included 686 singleton vaginal deliveries, of which 131 were complicated by ShD, and the validation cohort included 2584 deliveries, of which 31 were complicated by ShD.

Can we predict oocyte maturation prior to denudation for intracytoplasmic sperm injection?

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was introduced in 1992 as a method to treat couples with severe male infertility. However, in the last two decades, the use of ICSI has increased substantially even among patients without male factor infertility. In ICSI the oocytes are scrutinized for maturity upon insemination and the immature oocytes are discarded.

Perinatal outcomes of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy in twin versus singleton pregnancies: is plurality associated with adverse outcomes?

Purpose: To determine the rate of obstetric and neonatal complications associated with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy in twin versus singleton gestations.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study including patients diagnosed with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy at a single tertiary center between 2011 and 2016. Women were allocated into two groups: twin pregnancies (n = 56) and singleton pregnancies (n = 186).