-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Dynamics in Early Gestational Events: A Practical and Updated Reappraisal.

In the last decade, the widespread use of transvaginal ultrasound and the availability of highly specific serum assays of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) have become mainstays in the evaluation of early pregnancy. These tests have revolutionized the management of pregnancies of unknown location and markedly reduced the morbidity and mortality associated with the misdiagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. However, despite several advances, their misuse and misinterpretations are still common, leading to an increased use of healthcare resources, patient misinformation, and anxiety.

Pregnancies through oocyte donation. A mini review of pathways involved in placental dysfunction.

Pregnancies resulting from assisted reproductive techniques (ART) are increasingly prevalent worldwide. While most pregnancies conceived through fertilization (IVF) progress without complications, mounting evidence suggests that these pregnancies are at a heightened risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. Specifically, IVF pregnancies involving oocyte donation have garnered attention due to numerous reports indicating an elevated risk profile for pregnancy-related complications within this subgroup of patients.

Routine third-trimester ultrasound assessment for intrauterine growth restriction.

Intrauterine growth restriction significantly impacts perinatal outcomes. Undetected IUGR escalates the risk of adverse outcomes. Serial symphysis-fundal height measurement, a recommended strategy, is insufficient in detecting abnormal fetal growth.

Fetal Growth Velocity according to the Mode of Assisted Conception.

Introduction: Pregnancies conceived through assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) are on the rise worldwide and have been associated with a higher risk of placental-related disease in the third trimester.

Methods: A cohort was created of singleton pregnancies after assisted reproduction, admitted at our institution for delivery, between January 2020 and August 2022. Fetal growth velocity from the second trimester to delivery was compared against a gestational-age-matched group of pregnancies spontaneously conceived according to the origin of the selected oocyte (i.

Performance of the INTERGROWTH-21 and World Health Organization fetal growth charts for the detection of small-for-gestational age neonates in Latin America.

Objective: To evaluate the performance of INTERGROWTH-21 (IG-21 ) and World Health Organization (WHO) fetal growth charts to identify small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and fetal growth restriction (FGR) neonates, as well as their specific risks for adverse neonatal outcomes.

Methods: Multicenter cross-sectional study including 67 968 live births from 10 maternity units across four Latin American countries. According to each standard, neonates were classified as SGA and FGR (birth weight <10 and less than third centiles, respectively).

Routine screening for SARS CoV-2 in unselected pregnant women at delivery.

Background: South America has become the epicenter of coronavirus pandemic. It seems that asymptomatic population may contribute importantly to the spread of the disease. Transmission from asymptomatic pregnant patients' needs to be characterized in larger population cohorts and symptom assessment needs to be standardized.

Diagnostic performance of third-trimester ultrasound for the prediction of late-onset fetal growth restriction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: The objective of the study was to establish the diagnostic performance of ultrasound screening for predicting late smallness for gestational age and/or fetal growth restriction.

Data Sources: A systematic search was performed to identify relevant studies published since 2007 in English, Spanish, French, Italian, or German, using the databases PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and SCOPUS.

Study Eligibility Criteria: We used rrospective and retrospective cohort studies in low-risk or nonselected singleton pregnancies with screening ultrasound performed at ≥32 weeks of gestation.

Diagnosis and surveillance of late-onset fetal growth restriction.

By consensus, late fetal growth restriction is that diagnosed >32 weeks. This condition is mildly associated with a higher risk of perinatal hypoxic events and suboptimal neurodevelopment. Histologically, it is characterized by the presence of uteroplacental vascular lesions (especially infarcts), although the incidence of such lesions is lower than in preterm fetal growth restriction.

Longitudinal Assessment of Abdominal Circumference versus Estimated Fetal Weight in the Detection of Late Fetal Growth Restriction.

Objectives: To perform a longitudinal assessment comparison between estimated fetal weight (EFW) and abdominal circumference (AC) in the prediction of late fetal growth restriction (FGR) as opposed to small for gestational age (SGA).

Patients And Methods: A cohort of unselected singleton pregnancies scanned at 32±2 and 37±1 weeks was created. Longitudinal growth assessment by calculating the conditional AC and conditional EFW was performed, and both parameters were compared for their prediction capacity for late FGR and SGA.

Follow-Up of Asymptomatic High-Risk Patients with Normal Cervical Length to Predict Recurrence of Preterm Birth.

Background: A midtrimester cervical length (CL) <25 mm is associated with spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB). However, as CL ≥25 mm is not enough to exclude recurrence in high-risk patients, follow-up CL measurement later in pregnancy has been proposed.

Objectives: To evaluate whether CL measurement at 26±1 weeks in asymptomatic high-risk patients improves the prediction of sPTB recurrence.

Uterine Cervical Length Measurement to Reduce Length of Stay in Patients Admitted for Threatened Preterm Labor: A Randomized Trial.

Objective: To study whether knowledge of cervical length (CL) is useful in reducing the length of hospital stay in women admitted because of threatened preterm labor.

Methods: We performed a single-center, parallel, randomized trial at the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona. Inclusion criteria were single pregnancy, gestational age (GA) between 24+0 and 35+6 weeks, Bishop score <6, no parturition within 24-48 h after admission, and no clinical signs of chorioamnionitis, vaginal bleeding, or nonreassuring fetal status.

Second- to Third-Trimester Longitudinal Growth Assessment for the Prediction of Largeness for Gestational Age and Macrosomia in an Unselected Population.

Background: Prenatal detection of excessive growth remains inaccurate. Most strategies rely on a single cross-sectional evaluation of fetal size during the third trimester.

Objectives: To compare second- to third-trimester longitudinal growth assessment with cross-sectional evaluation at the third trimester in the prediction of largeness for gestational age (LGA) and macrosomia.

Third-Trimester Conditional Reference Values for Longitudinal Fetal Growth Assessment.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to derive longitudinal reference values of fetal growth (estimated fetal weight [EFW] and abdominal circumference [AC]) during the third trimester and to develop coefficients for conditional growth assessment.

Patients And Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted involving consecutive singleton pregnancies in a low-risk population for a routine third-trimester scan at 30+0-34+6 weeks and follow-up at 37+0-38+6 weeks for an additional ultrasound. Statistical analysis was based on multilevel modeling using MLwiN software.

Correlation between Maternal Characteristics during Early Pregnancy, Fetal Growth Rate and Newborn Weight in Healthy Pregnancies.

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between maternal characteristics in early pregnancy and fetal growth (FG) and birth weight (BW).

Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed in unselected pregnant women who attended an ultrasound evaluation at 11-14 weeks of pregnancy. Medical history, biochemical blood tests, biophysical variables and fetal weight at 20-25 and 30-36 weeks as well as the BW were assessed.

First trimester prediction of early onset preeclampsia using demographic, clinical, and sonographic data: a cohort study.

Objective: The aim of this research was to evaluate the performance of a predictive model for early onset preeclampsia (PE) during early gestation.

Method: Prospective multicenter cohort study was performed in women attending 11-14 weeks ultrasound. Medical history and biometrical variables were recorded and uterine artery Doppler was performed.