Publications by authors named "Dana M Block-Abraham"
Introduction: The insertion site of the fetoscope for laser occlusion (FLOC) treatment of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) determines the likelihood of treatment success. We assessed a standardized preoperative ultrasound approach for its ability to identify critical landmarks for successful FLOC.
Methods: Three surgeons independently performed preoperative ultrasound and deduced the likely orientation of the intertwin membrane (ITM) and vascular equator (VE) based on the sites of the cord insertion, the lie of the donor, and the size discordance between twins.
Objective: To determine the relationship between maternal blood pressures throughout pregnancy and the risk of delivering a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonate.
Methods: Women were prospectively enrolled at 9-14 weeks and had serial blood pressure measurements throughout pregnancy. SGA prevalence was compared to maternal blood pressure at enrollment, average blood pressure during each trimester, and blood pressure trends throughout gestation.
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive accuracy of second-trimester ultrasound parameters, maternal characteristics, and sequential Doppler changes between first and second trimesters for the prediction of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants (birth weight < 10th percentile).
Methods: We conducted a prospective study of singleton pregnancies enrolled in the first trimester with subsequent second-trimester follow-up. Maternal characteristics, uterine artery (UtA) pulsatility index (PI), fetal biometry, and umbilical artery (UA)-PI were ascertained.
Objective: First-trimester screening for subsequent delivery of a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infant typically focuses on maternal risk factors and uterine artery (UtA) Doppler. Our aim is to test if incorporation of fetal umbilical artery (UA) and ductus venosus (DV) Doppler improves SGA prediction.
Study Design: Prospective screening study of singletons at 11-14 weeks.
Objective: The residual risk of preeclampsia in high-risk women on aspirin prophylaxis exceeds that of low-risk populations, and this study aimed to identify first-trimester maternal characteristics associated with aspirin prophylaxis failure.
Methods: This is a nested cohort study of prospectively enrolled women with verified initiation of risk-indicated aspirin prophylaxis by 16 weeks of gestation. First-trimester maternal history, demographics, anthropometry, ultrasound parameters, and serum analytes were compared between women who developed preeclampsia and those who did not.
Article Synopsis
- The study examined how previous preeclampsia affects early pregnancy assessments in women during subsequent pregnancies.
- The research involved 1,283 women in their first trimester, comparing ultrasound results and placental factors between those with and without a history of preeclampsia, finding no significant differences.
- It concluded that while prior preeclampsia doesn't impact early ultrasound or placentas directly, its effects can worsen with more pregnancies and are largely related to blood pressure, suggesting the importance of lifestyle changes and better blood pressure management for these patients.