Combining early (<11 weeks' gestation) ultrasound features and maternal factors to predict small-for-gestational age neonates.

Objectives: Placental related adverse pregnancy outcomes such as fetal growth restriction have significant short- and long-term implications for both mother and fetus. This study aimed to determine if conventional and novel early first trimester ultrasound measures are associated with small for gestational age (SGA) neonates. In addition, we aimed to assess whether a combination of ultrasound measures, maternal characteristics and biochemistry improved the prediction of this adverse pregnancy outcome.

New Australian birthweight centiles.

Objectives: To prepare more accurate population-based Australian birthweight centile charts by using the most recent population data available and by excluding pre-term deliveries by obstetric intervention of small for gestational age babies.

Design: Population-based retrospective observational study.

Setting: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare National Perinatal Data Collection.

The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) initiative on pre-eclampsia: A pragmatic guide for first-trimester screening and prevention.

Pre‐eclampsia (PE) is a multisystem disorder that typically affects 2%–5% of pregnant women and is one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, especially when the condition is of early onset. Globally, 76 000 women and 500 000 babies die each year from this disorder. Furthermore, women in low‐resource countries are at a higher risk of developing PE compared with those in high‐resource countries.

A survey of opinion and practice regarding prenatal diagnosis of vasa previa among obstetricians from Australia and New Zealand.

Objectives: To define current obstetric opinion and clinical practice regarding the prenatal diagnosis of vasa previa in Australia and New Zealand.

Methods: A population-based cross-sectional survey of Fellows of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists was conducted from April to May, 2016. Descriptive analysis was used to define factors influencing opinion and practice regarding definition of vasa previa, attributable risk factors, and the value of screening.

The first-trimester of pregnancy - A window of opportunity for prediction and prevention of pregnancy complications and future life.

The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) has identified non communicable maternal diseases (NCDs) as a new focus area. NCDs and exposures as related to pregnancy complications and later impairment of maternal and offspring health will form the basis for action in the forthcoming years. This paper summarizes recent advances, centered on the use of first-trimester testing, as a window of opportunity to predict and prevent many pregnancy complications; and for potential future prevention of NCDs in mother and offspring.

Non-invasive fetal RHD genotyping for RhD negative women stratified into RHD gene deletion or variant groups: comparative accuracy using two blood collection tube types.

Non-invasive fetal RHD genotyping in Australia to reduce anti-D usage will need to accommodate both prolonged sample transport times and a diverse population demographic harbouring a range of RHD blood group gene variants. We compared RHD genotyping accuracy using two blood sample collection tube types for RhD negative women stratified into deleted RHD gene haplotype and RHD gene variant cohorts. Maternal blood samples were collected into EDTA and cell-free (cf)DNA stabilising (BCT) tubes from two sites, one interstate.

Noninvasive fetal RHD genotyping of RhD negative pregnant women for targeted anti-D therapy in Australia: A cost-effectiveness analysis.

Objective: To undertake a cost-effectiveness analysis of noninvasive fetal RHD genotyping to target pregnant women for antenatal anti-D prophylaxis therapy.

Method: A decision-analytic model was constructed to compare RHD testing and targeted anti-D prophylaxis, with current universal anti-D prophylaxis among pregnant women with RhD negative blood type. Model estimates were derived from national perinatal statistics, published literature, donor program records, and national cost sources.

Effects of sample processing and storage on the integrity of cell-free miRNAs in maternal plasma.

Background: Cell-free fetal miRNAs have been identified as potential biomarkers for fetal abnormalities and/or placental function. Factors affecting the stability of cell-free fetal miRNA samples (type of collection tube and time interval between sampling and analysis) have not previously been reported.

Methods: Blood from pregnant women (n = 12, 18 ± 4 weeks' gestation) was collected into two types of tube (EDTA and RNA BCT) and was stored at different temperatures for up to 72 h.

Strategy for managing maternal variant RHD alleles in Rhesus D negative obstetric populations during fetal RHD genotyping.

Objectives: Fetal RHD screening programs that aim to reduce unnecessary antenatal anti-D prophylaxis are being introduced into clinical practice. Strategies to manage women serologically typed as Rhesus D negative who have maternal RHD variants are needed. This study describes maternal RHD allelic variants detected in nonselected and alloimmunised Rhesus D negative obstetric populations and explores a mathematical approach to identify these variants.

Anti-D in pregnant women with the RHD(IVS3+1G>A)-associated DEL phenotype.

Background: Pregnant women with the DEL phenotype appear to be D- by routine serology. Women with DEL phenotypes that show a partial D-like epitope loss may develop anti-D. It has been proposed that this alloantibody could have a deleterious effect with respect to hemolytic disease in the fetus and newborn.

Evaluation of non-invasive prenatal RHD genotyping of the fetus.

Objective: To evaluate a non-invasive molecular test using free circulating fetal DNA in maternal plasma to predict the fetal RHD type.

Design: A prospective cohort study.

Participants And Setting: Venous blood samples were collected from 140 Rhesus (Rh) D-negative women booked for antenatal care in two tertiary maternity hospitals in Sydney and Brisbane between November 2006 and April 2008.

Increased nuchal translucency with normal karyotype.

Increased fetal nuchal translucency (NT) thickness between 11 and 14 weeks' gestation is a common phenotypic expression of chromosomal abnormalities, including trisomy 21. However, even in the absence of aneuploidy, nuchal thickening is clinically relevant because it is associated with an increase in adverse perinatal outcome caused by a variety of fetal malformations, dysplasias, deformations, dysruptions, and genetic syndromes. Once the presence of aneuploidy is ruled out, the risk of perinatal outcome dose not statistically increase until the nuchal translucency measurement reaches 3.