Multiethnic growth standards for fetal body composition and organ volumes derived from 3D ultrasonography.

Background: A major goal of contemporary obstetrical practice is to optimize fetal growth and development throughout pregnancy. To date, fetal growth during prenatal care is assessed by performing ultrasonographic measurement of 2-dimensional fetal biometry to calculate an estimated fetal weight. Our group previously established 2-dimensional fetal growth standards using sonographic data from a large cohort with multiple sonograms.

Cardiac Size, Shape, and Ventricular Contractility in Fetuses at Sea Level With an Estimated Weight Less-than 10th Centile.

Objectives: To investigate cardiac size, shape, and ventricular contractility in fetuses with estimated fetal weight (EFW) <10th centile at sea level (Houston).

Methods: A prospective ultrasound study examined 37 fetuses with EFW <10th centile at sea level. High-frequency cine clips were used to evaluate the 4-chamber view including end-diastolic measurements and global sphericity index.

Prenatal Ultrasound Measurement of Fetal Stomach Size Is Predictive of Postnatal Development of GERD in Isolated Cleft Lip and/or Palate.

Objective: To determine whether prenatal ultrasound measurement of fetal stomach size, as a surrogate marker of fetal swallowing, is predictive of postnatal development of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in cases of isolated cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P).

Design: This is a retrospective case-control study. The outcome of interest is postnatal diagnosis of GERD in isolated CL/P.

Fetal Weight Estimation Using Automated Fractional Limb Volume With 2-Dimensional Size Parameters in Diabetic Pregnancies.

Objectives: To examine the effect of adding automated fetal fractional limb volume (FLV) with conventional 2-dimensional (2D) fetal weight estimation procedures in a cohort of diabetic pregnancies.

Methods: A pilot study of diabetic pregnancies measured standard fetal biometry within 7 days of delivery. Fractional arm volume (AVol) and fractional thigh volume (TVol) soft tissue parameters were measured with a commercially available automated software utility (5D Limb Vol; Samsung Medison Co, Ltd, Seoul, Korea).

Fetal Weight Estimation Using Automated Fractional Limb Volume With 2-Dimensional Size Parameters: A Multicenter Study.

Objectives: To develop new fetal weight prediction models using automated fractional limb volume (FLV).

Methods: A prospective multicenter study measured fetal biometry within 4 to 7 days of delivery. Three-dimensional data acquisition included the automated FLV that was based on 50% of the humerus diaphysis (fractional arm volume [AVol]) or 50% of the femur diaphysis (fractional thigh volume [TVol]) length.

Characterization of Placental Microvasculature Using Superb Microvascular Imaging.

Superb Microvascular Imaging (SMI; Canon Medical Systems, Tustin, CA) uses clutter suppression to extract flow signals at rapid frame rates, which provides high-resolution vessel-branching details without the need for contrast agents. The potential diagnostic benefits of SMI, as described in other areas of medicine, requires further exploration during pregnancy. In this pictorial essay, we demonstrate the complementary use of SMI compared to conventional Doppler ultrasound and how it may improve our ability to characterize placental microvascular patterns without the need for ultrasound contrast agents.

Estimated energy requirements increase across pregnancy in healthy women with dichorionic twins.

Background: Estimated energy requirement (EER) has not been defined for twin pregnancy. This study was designed to determine the EER of healthy women with dichorionic-diamniotic (DCDA) twin pregnancies.

Objectives: We aimed to estimate energy deposition from changes in maternal body protein and fat; to measure resting energy expenditure (REE), physical activity level (PAL), and total energy expenditure (TEE) throughout pregnancy and postpartum; and to define the EER based on the sum of TEE and energy deposition for twin gestation.

Impact of changes in maternal body composition on birth weight and neonatal fat mass in dichorionic twin pregnancies.

Background: Although the impact of gestational weight gain (GWG) on birth weight in twin pregnancies has been demonstrated, the specific components of GWG have not been delineated for twin gestations. Fetal body composition has been shown to be modifiable in singleton gestations based on nutritional intervention strategies and may prove to have similar modifications in twin gestations.

Objective: We aimed to determine the relation of maternal body composition changes to birth weight, birth length, and neonatal fat mass (FM) in dichorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancies.

Significance and Outcomes of Fetal Growth Restriction Below the 5th Percentile Compared to the 5th to 10th Percentiles on Midgestation Growth Ultrasonography.

Objective: To determine whether there are differences in neonatal and pregnancy outcomes in pregnancies complicated by severe fetal growth restriction, defined as estimated fetal weight below the 5th percentile, compared with estimated fetal weight in the 5th to 10th percentiles at midgestation.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of singleton nonanomalous gestations with estimated fetal weight at or below the 10th percentile (Hadlock et al. Radiology 1991; 181:129-133) at 18 to 24 weeks' gestation.

Automated Fractional Limb Volume Measurements Improve the Precision of Birth Weight Predictions in Late Third-Trimester Fetuses.

Objectives: Fetal soft tissue can be assessed by using fractional limb volume as a proxy for in utero nutritional status. We investigated automated fractional limb volume for rapid estimate fetal weight assessment.

Methods: Pregnant women were prospectively scanned for 2- and 3-dimensional fetal biometric measurements within 4 days of delivery.

Are First Trimester Nuchal Septations Independent Risk Factors for Chromosomal Anomalies?

Objectives: There is conflicting information regarding the role of nuchal septations during first-trimester genetic screening. This study was designed to determine whether nuchal septations are risk factors for chromosomal anomalies, independent of increased nuchal translucency (NT), in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all women who underwent first-trimester genetic screening between November 2011 and December 2014.

A Novel Semiautomated Fractional Limb Volume Tool for Rapid and Reproducible Fetal Soft Tissue Assessment.

The purpose of this study was to document the reproducibility and efficiency of a semiautomated image analysis tool that rapidly provides fetal fractional limb volume measurements. Fifty pregnant women underwent 3-dimensional sonographic examinations for fractional arm and thigh volumes at a mean menstrual age of 31.3 weeks.