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.

Tracheal Atresia with Segmental Esophageal Duplication: An Unusual Anatomic Arrangement.

An unusual anatomic configuration of segmental tracheal agenesis/atresia with esophageal duplication on autopsy in a fetus that demised in utero at 29 weeks is reported. The mother was scanned initially for a cardiac anomaly at 20 weeks and on follow-up scan at 27 weeks had polyhydramnios and underwent amnioreduction. The final autopsy diagnosis was vertebral, ano-rectal, cardiac, tracheoesophageal, renal, and limb malformations (VACTERL).

Systematic review and metaanalysis of perinatal outcomes after radiofrequency ablation and bipolar cord occlusion in monochorionic pregnancies.

The aim of this study was to analyze perinatal outcomes after selective reduction in monochorionic pregnancies with the use of either radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or bipolar cord occlusion (BCO). This was a systematic review and metaanalysis that included all studies with ≥5 cases that described perinatal outcomes after BCO or RFA that were identified in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, COCHRANE, CINAHL, Academic Search Premier, Science Direct, and MEDLINE that were published between 1965 and July 2014. For count data, incidence risk ratios (IRR; 95% confidence interval [CI]) were calculated with BCO as the reference standard.

An audit of first trimester ultrasound screening for chromosomal abnormalities.

Background: Screening for Down syndrome has been funded in New Zealand since 2010 following the report 'Antenatal Down Syndrome Screening in NZ 2007' which identified that the practice of screening using maternal age and/or nuchal translucency (NT) without biochemical markers was unsafe and should not continue.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the quality of the ultrasound component of first trimester screening in a metropolitan population.

Methods: Over a 5-month period, all available NT scan images for women referred to the Central Region Fetal Medicine Unit for an increased risk at first trimester screening or a fetal abnormality detected at the 20-week ultrasound scan were reviewed according to the Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) criteria and utilising the Herman Score.