Efficacy of the genetic sonogram in a stepwise sequential protocol for down syndrome screening.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the genetic sonogram in Down syndrome screening for women who have received the stepwise sequential test.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included women with singleton pregnancies who underwent stepwise sequential (first-trimester combined and second-trimester serum) screening and then had a genetic sonogram between March 2005 and January 2010. Stepwise sequential Down syndrome risks were multiplied by either a positive or negative likelihood ratio based on the second-trimester sonographic findings to determine the final Down syndrome risk.

Anemia in pregnancy.

Hemodynamic changes occur in pregnancy to prepare for expected blood loss at delivery. Physiologic anemia occurs in pregnancy because plasma volume increases more quickly than red cell mass. Anemia is most commonly classified as microcytic, normocytic, or macrocytic.

Increased neonatal morbidity despite pulmonary maturity for deliveries occurring before 39 weeks.

Objective: To compare neonatal outcomes following deliveries <39 weeks after confirmation of fetal lung maturity with scheduled deliveries ≥39 weeks.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study examining neonatal outcomes of women who were delivered following documented fetal pulmonary maturity at 36, 37, and 38 weeks compared to women undergoing a scheduled delivery at 39, 40, and 41 weeks. The χ(2)-test and Student's t-test were used to compare categorical and continuous data, respectively.

Perinatal and neonatal outcomes of triplet gestations based on placental chorionicity.

The purpose of our study was to evaluate perinatal and neonatal outcomes in triplet gestations in relation to placental chorionicity. We hypothesized that triplets containing a monochorionic pair (dichorionic triamniotic) would have increased morbidity compared with triplets without a monochorionic pair (trichorionic triamniotic). We retrospectively analyzed all triplet sets > or =20 weeks delivering at our institutions from January 1995 through April 2007.

Prenatal sonographic diagnosis of hemivertebrae: associations and outcomes.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate associated anomalies and outcomes of fetuses with prenatally diagnosed hemivertebrae.

Methods: Fetuses with prenatally diagnosed hemivertebrae, excluding those associated with spina bifida, were identified by searching the prospectively maintained ultrasound databases of 4 institutions from 1997 to August 2007. Associated birth defects were tabulated by organ system and hemivertebra location.