Introduction: Congenital hydrocephalus often results in irreversible and severe damage to the brain despite postnatal interventions. The potential for prenatal intervention to mitigate these deleterious effects underscores the importance of a suitable animal model. We aimed assess the results of an ultrasound-guided transuterine approach to replicate the BioGlue injection fetal hydrocephalus model.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Matern Fetal Neonatal Med
December 2022
Background: Advancements in fetal interventions have enabled management of several fetal congenital anomalies and conditions; these are accomplished ultrasound-guided, fetoscopic or open techniques. Understanding the risk of preterm labor associated with each technique is critical for patient counseling and choice of intervention; however, data on obstetrical outcomes associated with each type of intervention remains limited.
Objective: To provide descriptive information on the risk of preterm birth following fetal intervention, based on underlying disease and procedure performed.
Objective: To compare the effectiveness and outcomes of interventional resealing of membranes, "amniopatch" for spontaneous vs. iatrogenic preterm premature rupture of the membranes (sPPROM and iPPROM).
Methods: We performed a systematic review of literature involving an electronic search of the following databases: Ovid MEDLINE(R) and Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, Ovid MEDLINE(R) Daily, Ovid EMBASE, Ovid Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus.
Introduction: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) affects 1 in 3,000 live births and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
Methods: A review of fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations was performed for fetuses with left CDH and normal lung controls. Image review and manual tracings were performed by 4 pediatric radiologists; right and left lung volumes in the coronal and axial planes as well as liver volume above and below the diaphragm in the coronal plane were measured.
J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med
October 2022
Introduction: Mirror syndrome is a rare disease associated with high fetal mortality of up to 67.2%. It is thought to be underdiagnosed and is often associated with preeclampsia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCongenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is characterized by incomplete partitioning of the thoracic and abdominal cavities by the diaphragm muscle (DIAm). The resulting in utero invasion of the abdominal viscera into the thoracic cavity leads to impaired fetal breathing movements, severe pulmonary hypoplasia, and pulmonary hypertension. We hypothesized that in a well-established rodent model of Nitrofen-induced CDH, DIAm isometric force generation, and DIAm fiber cross-sectional areas would be reduced compared with nonlesioned littermate and Control pups.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe conducted a comprehensive evidence-based review on the epidemiology and current standard of care of gastroschisis management as well as the pathophysiology, rationale and feasibility of fetal therapy as a viable alternative. Gastroschisis is a periumbilical abdominal wall defect characterized by abdominal viscera herniation in utero. It affects 4 in 10 000 live births, but the prevalence has steadily increased in recent years.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIsolated salpingeal torsion (IST) is a rare cause of acute abdomen in women of the reproductive age group. The lack of pathognomonic clinical, laboratory or radiographic findings makes early diagnosis a challenge. We describe a case of IST in a 13-year-old who suffered from a repeat torsion following initial conservative management.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe global pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has been associated with worse outcomes in several patient populations, including the elderly and those with chronic comorbidities. Data from previous pandemics and seasonal influenza suggest that pregnant women may be at increased risk for infection-associated morbidity and mortality. Physiologic changes in normal pregnancy and metabolic and vascular changes in high-risk pregnancies may affect the pathogenesis or exacerbate the clinical presentation of COVID-19.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To add to the growing evidence on SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy, so as to better inform clinical decision making and optimize patient outcomes.
Methods: A systematic search of relevant databases was perfomed on 25 March 2020 and a repeat search, on 10 April 2020. Reports of pregnant patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection at any time during their pregnancy were reviewed and summarized .
Since the declaration of the global pandemic of COVID-19 by the World Health Organization on 11 March 2020, we have continued to see a steady rise in the number of patients infected by SARS-CoV-2. However, there is still very limited data on the course and outcomes of this serious infection in a vulnerable population of pregnant patients and their fetuses. International perinatal societies and institutions including SMFM, ACOG, RCOG, ISUOG, CDC, CNGOF, ISS/SIEOG, and CatSalut have released guidelines for the care of these patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To assess our initial experience with prenatal restoration of hindbrain herniation following in utero repair of myelomeningocele (MMC).
Patients And Methods: Three consecutive patients with prenatally diagnosed MMC (between January 1, 2018 and September 30, 2018) were managed with open in utero surgery. As per institutional review board approval and following a protocol designed at the Mayo Clinic Maternal & Fetal Center, fetal intervention was offered between 19 0/7 and 25 6/7 weeks of gestation.
Fetal lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO), which often results in marked perinatal morbidity and mortality, is caused by a heterogeneous group of anatomical defects that lead to blockage of the urethra. The classic prenatal presentation of LUTO includes megacystis with hydronephrosis. While mild forms of the disease can be associated with favorable outcomes, more severe disease commonly leads to dysplastic changes in the fetal kidneys, and ultimately oligohydramnios, which can result in secondary pulmonary hypoplasia and renal failure at birth.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Matern Fetal Neonatal Med
October 2021
Objectives: To investigate the perinatal outcomes of fetuses with antenatal diagnoses of intra-abdominal umbilical vein varix (UVV).
Methods: A multicenter retrospective study was conducted in four countries on fetuses diagnosed with intra-abdominal UVV between 2012 and 2019. Collected data included gestational age (GA), UVV maximum diameter at diagnosis and delivery, associated anatomical and chromosomal anomalies, birth weight, and neonatal outcomes.
Objective: Open prenatal myelomeningocele (MMC) repair is typically associated with reversal of in utero hindbrain herniation (HBH) and has been posited to be associated with a reduction in both postoperative prenatal and immediate postnatal hydrocephalus (HCP) risks. However, the long-term postnatal risk of HCP following HBH reversal in these cases has not been well defined. The authors describe the results of a long-term HCP surveillance in a cohort of patients who underwent prenatal MMC repair at their institution.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of stomach position grading in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) as proposed by Cordier et al and Basta et al after standardization of the methods at our center.
Methods: We collected sonographic images from 23 fetuses with left-sided CDH at our center from 2010 to 2018. Nine operators (one maternal fetal medicine expert and eight sonographers) reviewed the selected images and graded the stomach position according to the methods of Cordier et al and Basta et al.
Objective: The objective of the study was to describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients with antenatal diagnosis of vasa previa and evaluate the predictive factors of resolution in a contemporary large, multicenter data set.
Study Design: This was a retrospective multicenter cohort study of all antenatally diagnosed cases of vasa previa, identified via ultrasound and electronic medical record, between January 2011 and July 2018 in 5 US centers. Records were abstracted to obtain variables at diagnosis, throughout pregnancy, and outcomes, including maternal and neonatal variables.