Objective: The aim of this study was address the challenges posed by the manual labeling of fetal ultrasound images by introducing an unsupervised approach, the fetal ultrasound semantic clustering (FUSC) method. The primary objective was to automatically cluster a large volume of ultrasound images into various fetal views, reducing or eliminating the need for labor-intensive manual labeling.
Methods: The FUSC method was developed by using a substantial data set comprising 88,063 images.
Objective: To study the outcome of pregnancies with first-trimester increased nuchal translucency and cystic hygromas.
Methodology: Retrospective study of 132 pregnancies with first-trimester increased nuchal translucency and cystic hygromas, between January 2015 to December 2018 at Corniche Hospital, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Fetal karyotyping, detailed ultrasound at 18-22 weeks and fetal echocardiography were offered to all women.
We report on three male siblings who presented prenatally with a nearly identical combination of congenital anomalies and who died shortly after preterm birth. The first baby was a singleton pregnancy, and the other two babies were dichorionic diamniotic twins. Key features included: left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia, inferior vermian dysgenesis/hypoplasia, prenasal edema, cleft palate, micropenis/ambiguous genitalia (in 2 of 3 babies), bilateral renal pelvic dilatation (in twins, first baby showed slightly enlarged kidneys) and polyhydramnios (in 2 of 3).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTitle: Outcome of multiple cesarean sections in a tertiary maternity hospital in the United Arab Emirates.
Objective: To describe the operative outcomes, clinical findings, maternal morbidity and neonatal outcome associated with increasing numbers of cesarean deliveries.
Design: Retrospective study.
Background: Immediate delivery of the preterm fetus with suspected compromise may decrease the risk of damage due to intrauterine hypoxia. However, it may also increase the risks of prematurity.
Objectives: To assess the effects of immediate versus deferred delivery of preterm babies with suspected fetal compromise on neonatal, maternal and long-term outcomes.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev
November 2015
Background: Multiple pregnancies are associated with higher rates of perinatal mortality and morbidity than singleton pregnancies, mainly due to an increased risk of preterm birth. Because fetal outcome is best at a particular range of maternal weight gain, it has been suggested that women with multiple pregnancies should take special diets (particularly high-calorie diets) designed to boost weight gain. However, 'optimal weight gain' in the mother in retrospective studies may merely reflect good growth of her babies and delivery at or near term (both associated with a good outcome) and artificially boosting weight gain by nutritional input may confer no advantage.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe compared the relaxant effect of 2 known tocolytics; indomethacin and atosiban and progesterone, on pregnant human myometrial spontaneous and oxytocin-induced contractions from singleton and twin pregnancies. All agents exerted a concentration-dependent relaxant effect on myometrial contractions. There was no significant difference in the concentration-response curves between singletons and twins for progesterone or indomethacin on spontaneous contractions or atosiban on oxytocin-induced contraction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Diagnostic ultrasound is a sophisticated electronic technology, which utilises pulses of high-frequency sound to produce an image. Diagnostic ultrasound examination may be employed in a variety of specific circumstances during pregnancy such as after clinical complications, or where there are concerns about fetal growth. Because adverse outcomes may also occur in pregnancies without clear risk factors, assumptions have been made that routine ultrasound in all pregnancies will prove beneficial by enabling earlier detection and improved management of pregnancy complications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCochrane Database Syst Rev
June 2015
Background: Diagnostic ultrasound is used selectively in late pregnancy where there are specific clinical indications. However, the value of routine late pregnancy ultrasound screening in unselected populations is controversial. The rationale for such screening would be the detection of clinical conditions which place the fetus or mother at high risk, which would not necessarily have been detected by other means such as clinical examination, and for which subsequent management would improve perinatal outcome.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Fetal survival is severely compromised when the amniotic membrane ruptures between 16 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. Reduced amniotic fluid levels are associated with poor lung development, whereas adequate levels lead to better perinatal outcomes. Restoring amniotic fluid by means of ultrasound-guided amnioinfusion (AI) may be of benefit in improving perinatal and long-term outcomes in children of pregnancies with this condition.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBest Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol
February 2014
Twin and triplet pregnancy is a high-risk situation, with increased risk of mortality and morbidity for both mother and babies. It is, therefore, essential that high-quality antenatal care is provided to optimise outcomes and identify and manage complications effectively. A number of additional elements of care are advised, which requires more monitoring and contact with healthcare professionals with appropriate expertise.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Over half of twin pregnancies in US and UK deliver prematurely but the reasons for this are unclear. The contractility of myometrium from twin pregnancies has not been directly investigated. The objective of this research was to determine if there are differences in the contractile activity and response to oxytocin, between myometrium from singleton and twin pregnancies, across a range of gestational ages.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCochrane Database Syst Rev
July 2012
Background: Immediate delivery of the preterm fetus with suspected compromise may decrease the risk of damage due to intrauterine hypoxia. However, it may also increase the risks of prematurity.
Objectives: To assess the effects of immediate versus deferred delivery of preterm babies with suspected fetal compromise on neonatal, maternal and long-term outcomes.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev
June 2011
Background: Multiple pregnancies are associated with higher rates of perinatal mortality and morbidity than singleton pregnancies, mainly due to an increased risk of preterm birth. Because fetal outcome is best at a particular range of maternal weight gain, it has been suggested that women with multiple pregnancies should take special diets (particularly high-calorie diets) designed to boost weight gain. However, 'optimal weight gain' in the mother in retrospective studies may merely reflect good growth of her babies and delivery at or near term (both associated with good outcome) and artificially boosting weight gain by nutritional input may confer no advantage.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Diagnostic ultrasound is a sophisticated electronic technology, which utilises pulses of high frequency sound to produce an image. Diagnostic ultrasound examination may be employed in a variety of specific circumstances during pregnancy such as after clinical complications, or where there are concerns about fetal growth. Because adverse outcomes may also occur in pregnancies without clear risk factors, assumptions have been made that routine ultrasound in all pregnancies will prove beneficial by enabling earlier detection and improved management of pregnancy complications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBest Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol
December 2009
Foetal growth restriction is an important contributor to perinatal mortality, being responsible for up to 50% of stillbirths. Optimal prevention and accurate detection enabling timely intervention remain elusive, particularly in presumed low-risk pregnancy. Third trimester ultrasound seems a logical solution, but systematic review of evidence from randomised trials has shown that third trimester ultrasound does not have a significant impact on perinatal mortality but may increase interventions such as caesarean delivery.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAntenatally detected femoral abnormalities are a rare finding, and form a heterogeneous group in terms of diagnosis and prognosis. The objective of this study is to evaluate the management and outcome of fetuses after prenatal detection of femoral abnormalities in a tertiary care Fetal Medicine Unit over a 5-year period, thus facilitating accurate diagnosis and appropriate counseling. Patients were identified through a Regional Fetal Anomaly Database or clinician recall.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCochrane Database Syst Rev
October 2008
Background: Diagnostic ultrasound is used selectively in late pregnancy where there are specific clinical indications. However, the value of routine late pregnancy ultrasound screening in unselected populations is controversial. The rationale for such screening would be the detection of clinical conditions which place the fetus or mother at high risk, which would not necessarily have been detected by other means such as clinical examination, and for which subsequent management would improve perinatal outcome.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: We report the first case of left pulmonary artery sling (LPAS) presenting as unilateral echogenic lung at a routine 20-week antenatal US examination. The infant had minimal symptoms at delivery, but developed an oxygen requirement and respiratory distress from day 10 of postnatal life. Antenatal US and antenatal MRI indicated an intrathoracic anomaly, so permitting definitive investigations in the neonatal period using CT, MRI and helical-CT-acquired virtual bronchoscopy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Ultrasound has become a routine part of care for pregnant women in most countries with developed health services. It is one of a range of techniques used in screening and diagnosis, but it differs from most others because of the direct access that it gives parents to images of the fetus. A review of women's views of ultrasound was commissioned as part of a larger study of the clinical and economic aspects of routine antenatal ultrasound use.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFParenteral opioids are commonly used for labor pain relief and have been the subject of research for many years. The objectives of this review were to determine the safety and effectiveness of parenteral opioids in this context. Of 85 trials systematically reviewed, 48 comprising more than 9800 were included, but the number of trials contributing data to individual outcome measures is very limited.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To review systematically and critically evidence to derive estimates of costs and cost effectiveness of routine ultrasound screening for fetal abnormalities.
Design: A systematic review of the literature using explicit criteria for inclusion of primary research studies, a stated electronic strategy to identify relevant material, and an explanation of why apparently relevant studies have not been included.
Setting: All countries of origin were included.