Early Supraspinal Influences on Human Embryonic Posture.

Knowledge of embryonic body posture as a reflection of neurodevelopment is limited. Here, we investigate embryonic body posture, preference, symmetry, and lateralization during periods of rest using virtual reality (VR) and four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound techniques to enhance our knowledge of neurodevelopment. It is hypothesized that lateralization and asymmetry in embryonic posture are absent.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with an increased frequency of spontaneous preterm births: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Preterm birth is one of the most frequent complications of pregnancy in women with systemic lupus erythematosus. The high indicated preterm birth proportion due to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and/or fetal growth restriction is well known, and preventive measures and screening for early detection are performed. The risk of spontaneous preterm birth is less well recognized.

The value of a mobile educative Application additional to Standard counselling on aspirin Adherence in Pregnancy: the ASAP study, a randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To assess the added value of a novel, mobile educative application to standard counselling on aspirin adherence during pregnancy versus standard counselling alone.

Methods: Participants were randomly assigned for additional use of a mobile educative application or standard counselling alone. Main outcome measures were adherence to aspirin measured by two validated questionnaires: Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire (SMAQ), Believes and Behaviour Questionnaire (BBQ), and patients reported tablet intake >90%.

Pulmonary oedema in the course of severe maternal outcome in South Africa: A cohort study combined with clinical audit.

Objectives: To describe the incidence and outcomes of pulmonary oedema in women with severe maternal outcome during childbirth and identify possible modifiable factors through audit.

Methods: All women with severe maternal outcome (maternal deaths or near misses) who were referred to Tygerberg referral hospital from health facilities in Metro East district, South Africa, during 2014-2015 were included. Women with severe maternal outcome and pulmonary oedema during pregnancy or childbirth were evaluated using three types of critical incident audit: criterion-based case review by one consultant gynaecologist, monodisciplinary critical incident audit by a team of gynaecologists, multidisciplinary audit with expert review from anaesthesiologists and cardiologists.

Calf circumferences in fetuses and neonates with and without talipes equinovares. A prospective cohort study.

Objective: Children and adults with talipes equinovarus (TEV) have smaller calves and shorter feet compared to non-affected controls. Do these changes have a prenatal onset?

Methods: A prospective cohort study (January 2020-July 2021) was conducted with serial ultrasonographic measurements at 20 and 28 weeks gestation and measurements directly and 6 weeks after birth. Calf circumference and width, foot length and length of humerus, ulna, radius, femur, tibia and fibula were measured in TEV and were compared to a control population.

The effect of low-dose aspirin on platelet function during pregnancy compared to placebo: An explorative study.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of aspirin 80 mg compared to placebo on platelet function tests in the second and third trimester of pregnancy.

Study Design: An explorative study was performed to assess laboratory platelet function in a subpopulation of the APRIL trial: a randomized double-blind trial comparing aspirin 80 mg once daily to placebo for the prevention of recurrent preterm birth. Platelet function was measured between 18 and 22, and between 28 and 32 weeks gestational age with three platelet function tests: VerifyNow®, Chronolog light transmission aggregometry (Chronolog LTA) and serum thromboxane B (TxB).

Improved implementation of aspirin in pregnancy among Dutch gynecologists: Surveys in 2016 and 2021.

Objective: To evaluate the implementation of low-dose aspirin in pregnancy for the prevention of utero-placental complications among gynecologists in the Netherlands between 2016 and 2021. In this timeframe, a national guideline about aspirin in pregnancy was introduced by the Dutch Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Materials And Methods: A national online survey among Dutch gynecologists and residents was performed.

Corrigendum to "Maternal and Perinatal Outcome in Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Retrospective Bicenter Cohort Study".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2017/8245879.].

Influence of timing of maternal antibiotic administration during caesarean section on infant microbial colonisation: a randomised controlled trial.

Objective: Revised guidelines for caesarean section (CS) advise maternal antibiotic administration prior to skin incision instead of after umbilical cord clamping, unintentionally exposing the infant to antibiotics antenatally. We aimed to investigate if timing of intrapartum antibiotics contributes to the impairment of microbiota colonisation in CS born infants.

Design: In this randomised controlled trial, women delivering via CS received antibiotics prior to skin incision (n=20) or after umbilical cord clamping (n=20).

Care Pathway for Foetal Joint Contractures, Foetal Akinesia Deformation Sequence, and Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita.

Introduction: The majority of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) and lethal forms of AMC such as foetal akinesia deformation sequence (FADS) cases are missed prenatally. We have demonstrated the additional value of foetal motor assessment and evaluation in a multidisciplinary team for the period 2007-2016. An applied care pathway was developed for foetuses presenting with joint contracture(s) in one anatomic region (e.

Fetal akinesia deformation sequence and massive perivillous fibrin deposition resulting in fetal death in six fetuses from one consanguineous couple, including literature review.

Background: Massive perivillous fibrin deposition (MPFD) is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and is mainly caused by maternal factors with limited involvement of fetal or genetic causes. We present one consanguineous couple with six fetuses developing Fetal Akinesia Deformation Sequence (FADS) and MPFD, with a possible underlying genetic cause. This prompted a literature review on prevalence of FADS and MPFD.

Maternal mortality: near-miss events in middle-income countries, a systematic review.

Objective: To describe the incidence and main causes of maternal near-miss events in middle-income countries using the World Health Organization's (WHO) maternal near-miss tool and to evaluate its applicability in these settings.

Methods: We did a systematic review of studies on maternal near misses in middle-income countries published over 2009-2020. We extracted data on number of live births, number of maternal near misses, major causes of maternal near miss and most frequent organ dysfunction.

Great saves or near misses? Severe maternal outcome in Metro East, South Africa: A region-wide population-based case-control study.

Objective: To assess the incidence of severe maternal outcome (SMO), comprising maternal mortality (MM) and maternal near miss (MNM), in Metro East health district, Western Cape Province, South Africa between November 2014 and November 2015 and to identify associated determinants leading to SMO with the aim to improve maternity care.

Methods: Region-wide population-based case-control study. Women were included in the study, if they were maternal deaths or met MNM criteria, both as defined by WHO.

Similar outcomes for antenatally or postnatally acquired haemorrhages.

This commentary is on the systematic review by Dunbar et al. on pages 144–155 of this issue.

Evaluation of embryonic posture using four-dimensional ultrasound and virtual reality.

Aim: To assess the possibility of embryonic posture evaluation (=feasibility, reproducibility, variation) at rest at 9 weeks' (+0-6 days) gestational age (GA) using four-dimensional ultrasound and virtual reality (VR) techniques. Moreover, it is hypothesized that embryonic posture shows variation at the same time point in an uneventful pregnancy.

Methods: In this explorative prospective cohort study, 23 pregnant women were recruited from the Rotterdam periconceptional cohort.

Patients' perspective on aspirin during pregnancy: a survey.

Objective: To elucidate patients' knowledge and counseling perspective on aspirin reducing the risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP).

Methods: A quantitative survey was performed including women who are members of the patient orgasnization Dutch HELLP Foundation due to a history of HDP.

Results: Awareness of the risk-reducing effect of aspirin on HDP was present in 51.

The relationship of a Prothrombin G20210A mutation or a factor V Leiden mutation and on-aspirin platelet (re-)activity.

Introduction: The interplay between platelets and pro-thrombotic factors may have been under-investigated in the identification of aspirin users at high risk for cardiovascular event reoccurrences. There is growing evidence that a Prothrombin G20210A (FII) or a Factor V Leiden (FVL) mutation might increase platelet activity. Subsequently, this study assessed on-aspirin platelet (re-)activity in non-pregnant participants with a FII - or a FVL mutation in comparison with non-pregnant data derived from controls.

Major obstetric haemorrhage in Metro East, Cape Town, South Africa: a population-based cohort study using the maternal near-miss approach.

Background: Major obstetric haemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal mortality and accounts for one-third of maternal deaths in of Africa. This study aimed to assess the population-based incidence, causes, management and outcomes of major obstetric haemorrhage and risk factors associated with poor maternal outcome.

Methods: Women with major obstetric haemorrhage who met the WHO maternal near-miss criteria or died in the Metro East region, Cape Town, South Africa, were evaluated from November 2014-November 2015.

Resistance of aspirin during and after pregnancy: A longitudinal cohort study.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate possible changes in aspirin resistance during and after pregnancy over time.

Study Design: A longitudinal cohort study in obstetric high risk women with an indication for aspirin usage during pregnancy to prevent placenta mediated pregnancy complications.

Main Outcome Measures: Aspirin resistance measured in the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy and at least three months postpartum by four complementary test: PFA-200, VerifyNow®, Chronolog light transmission aggregometry (Chronolog LTA) and serum thromboxane B (TxB) level measurements.