Pentalogy of Cantrell: two patients and a review to determine prognostic factors for optimal approach.

Two patients with incomplete pentalogy of Cantrell are described. The first was a girl with a large omphalocele with evisceration of the heart, liver and intestines with an intact sternum. Echocardiography showed profound intracardiac defects.

Progesterone for the prevention of preterm birth in women with multiple pregnancies: the AMPHIA trial.

Background: 15% of multiple pregnancies ends in a preterm delivery, which can lead to mortality and severe long term neonatal morbidity. At present, no generally accepted strategy for the prevention of preterm birth in multiple pregnancies exists. Prophylactic administration of 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17OHPC) has proven to be effective in the prevention of preterm birth in women with singleton pregnancies with a previous preterm delivery.

Psychological consequences of termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly: similarities and differences between partners.

Objective: We examined the psychological responses to termination of pregnancy (TOP) for fetal anomaly from both men and women. The aim was to find risk factors for poor psychological outcome both for the individuals and for the couple.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 151 couples 2-7 years after TOP.

Fetal cardiovascular response to large placental chorioangiomas.

A large placental chorioangioma is a relatively rare condition, which in 50% of all cases will lead to maternal and fetal complications. Since chorioangiomas are often associated with significant arterio-venous shunting within the placenta, several fetal hemodynamic compensatory mechanisms are initiated. Ultrasound and color Doppler flow mapping are important for the prenatal diagnosis of chorioangiomas, as an early prenatal diagnosis is crucial to minimize the risks for fetal well-being.