A Novel VACTERL Assessment Tool to Facilitate Counseling for Expectant Families.

Introduction: VACTERL is defined as 3 or more of the following congenital defects: vertebral, anorectal, cardiac, tracheoesophageal (TE), renal, and limb. The purpose of this study was to create an easy-to-use assessment tool to help providers counsel expecting families regarding the likelihood of additional anomalies and postnatal outcomes.

Methods: Employing the Kids' Inpatient Database from 2003-2016, neonates (<29 days old) with VACTERL were identified using ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM codes.

Extreme enhanced myometrial vascularity following cesarean scar pregnancy: a new diagnostic entity.

Objective: To define, illustrate and to follow-up the diagnosis, pathophysiology and treatment of a subset of the known enhanced myometrial vascularity (EMV): its extreme form, associated with cesarean scar pregnancies (CSP) and with some cases pf placenta accreta spectrum being at increased risk of significant bleeding complications. We also aim to provide guidance to the management of such cases.

Material And Methods: This is an IRB-approved retrospective observational study of thirteen patients with an extreme form of EMV complicating CSPs.

Sex Differences in Mortality Rates and Underlying Conditions for COVID-19 Deaths in England and Wales.

Objective: To address the issue of limited national data on the prevalence and distribution of underlying conditions among COVID-19 deaths between sexes and across age groups.

Patients And Methods: All adult (≥18 years) deaths recorded in England and Wales (March 1, 2020, to May 12, 2020) were analyzed retrospectively. We compared the prevalence of underlying health conditions between COVID and non-COVID-related deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic and the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) of COVID-19 compared with other primary causes of death, stratified by sex and age group.

Risk of donor demise after laser therapy for twin-twin transfusion when complicated by growth discordance and abnormal umbilical artery Doppler findings.

Objective: To investigate the natural course of abnormal umbilical artery Doppler (UAD) findings in donor fetuses after laser surgery and the prognostic significance of resolution, persistence, or new onset UAD abnormalities with and without the presence of preoperative growth discordance.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study of all monochorionic-diamniotic multi-fetal gestations diagnosed with twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) undergoing laser surgery at a single large metropolitan referral center from 2010-2016. The estimated fetal weight was measured preoperatively and the UAD were measured both pre- and postoperatively (median = 8 days).

Impact of recipient twin preoperative myocardial performance index in twin-twin transfusion syndrome treated with laser.

Objective: To validate the efficacy of laser therapy for twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) in the treatment of recipient twin cardiomyopathy and investigate whether severity of preoperative cardiomyopathy can predict fetal survival postoperatively.

Study Design: Retrospective study of monochorionic-diamniotic (MCDA) pregnancies complicated by TTTS treated by selective fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (SFLP) performed between March 2010 and October 2014 at a single center. The recipient right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) myocardial performance index (MPI) were measured both pre- and postoperatively.

Effect of Cervical Length Recovery after Laser Surgery for Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome.

Objective To evaluate the impact of polyhydramnios on preoperative cervical length and whether cervical length recovery after amnioreduction during selective fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (SFLP) is associated with a greater gestational age at delivery in pregnancies complicated by twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Methods Retrospective study of 50 pregnancies complicated by TTTS treated with SFLP between March 2010 and July 2014 at a single center. Preoperative maximum vertical pocket (MVP) was measured along with pre- and postoperative cervical length.

Microwave Ablation for Twin-Reversed Arterial Perfusion Sequence: A Novel Application of Technology.

Introduction: Twin-reversed arterial perfusion sequence is a rare complication of monochorionic pregnancies that is characterized by the presence of an acardiac mass perfused by an apparently normal pump twin. The risk of death to the pump twin has led to a range of therapeutic interventions aimed at separating their vascular connection. We report a novel application of microwave ablation for vessel coagulation in the treatment of twin-reversed arterial perfusion sequence.

Liver transplantation for acute liver failure at 11-week gestation with successful maternal and fetal outcome.

Acute liver failure (ALF) during pregnancy is very uncommon. Pregnancy-specific liver conditions like hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome and acute fatty liver of pregnancy can cause ALF at term or postpartum, but, typically occur during the third trimester. Most of these patients recover spontaneously after delivery, but, on occasion, they require liver transplantation in the postpartum period.

Combined sonographic and endoscopic umbilical cord occlusion in twin and triplet gestations.

Objective: To review our experience with a minimally invasive technique for umbilical cord occlusion as a method of selective feticide in monochorionic sets.

Study Design: Umbilical cord occlusion was completed using 3 mm bipolar cautery under ultrasound guidance (3D/4D, n = 6; 2D, n = 6) with pre and post ligation endoscopic evaluation.

Results: 12 cases of monochorionic sets where selective feticide was performed were identified during the period 2000 to present.

Thrombin-dependent regulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 levels in human fetal membranes.

Objective: Amniochorion matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 levels increase during labor, reaching a maximum in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). Bleeding is a major risk factor for PPROM. Since such hemorrhage into the tissue factor-enriched decidua induces intense thrombin formation, we determined whether thrombin stimulates MMP levels in amniochorionic membranes.

Three-dimensional ultrasound to differentiate epigastric heteropagus conjoined twins from a TRAP sequence.

Twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence and epigastric heteropagus conjoined twins may appear similar antenatally. Three-dimensional ultrasound evaluated the relationship of a completely formed fetus and an adjacent second body consisting of a pelvis with 2 lower extremities, confirming the final diagnosis when two-dimensional ultrasound was unsuccessful. Three-dimensional ultrasound is useful in diagnosing epigastric heteropagus conjoined twins.

The closure of iatrogenic membrane defects after amniocentesis and endoscopic intrauterine procedures.

Objective: To describe a new technique for wound closure after endoscopic intrauterine procedures which prevents amniotic fluid leakage after the procedure.

Study Design: This is an observational study which reviews a new technique under an IRB-approved protocol. The rationale for this study was the increasing frequency of intrauterine endoscopic procedures.

Increased rates of chorioamnionitis with extra-amniotic saline infusion method of labor induction.

Objective: Extra-amniotic saline infusion has been shown to be equal to or more efficacious than misoprostol, laminaria, dinoprostone, and prostaglandin estradiol for cervical ripening and labor induction. Because of the introduction of a foreign body into the uterus, extra-amniotic saline infusion may potentially cause increased rates of chorioamnionitis. This study examines the risk of chorioamnionitis with extra-amniotic saline infusion compared with other methods of induction and spontaneous labor.

Congenital laryngeal atresia associated with partial diaphragmatic obliteration.

Objective: Laryngeal atresia is a rare, life-threatening congenital malformation. Prenatal sonographic diagnosis has been described; however, in many cases, the precise diagnosis is established only at autopsy. Our aim was to describe an atypical prenatal presentation of congenital laryngeal atresia in which the final diagnosis was made only at autopsy.