Angiogenic factors versus fetomaternal Doppler for fetal growth restriction at term: an open-label, randomized controlled trial.

Small fetuses, with estimated fetal weight (EFW) below the tenth percentile, are classified as fetal growth restriction (FGR) or small for gestational age (SGA) based on prenatal ultrasound. FGR fetuses have a greater risk of stillbirth and perinatal complications and may benefit from serial ultrasound scans to guide early delivery. Abnormal serum angiogenic factors, such as the soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1):placental growth factor (PlGF) ratio, have shown potential to more accurately distinguish FGR from SGA, with fewer false positives.

Initial Impact of Perinatal Loss on Mothers and Their Partners.

(1) Background: Perinatal Loss affects one in ten women worldwide. It is known to have a deep impact on the physical and psychological wellbeing of the mother. Moreover, there is a lack of information in regard to gender differences.

The Fetal Growth Restriction at Term Managed by Angiogenic Factors Versus Feto-Maternal Doppler (GRAFD) Trial to Avoid Adverse Perinatal Outcomes: Protocol for a Multicenter, Open-Label, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Fetal smallness affects 10% of pregnancies. Small fetuses are at a higher risk of adverse outcomes. Their management using estimated fetal weight and feto-maternal Doppler has a high sensitivity for adverse outcomes; however, more than 60% of fetuses are electively delivered at 37 to 38 weeks.

Prediction of small-for-gestational-age neonates: screening by biophysical and biochemical markers at 19-24 weeks.

Objective: To investigate the value of combined screening by maternal characteristics and medical history, fetal biometry and biophysical and biochemical markers at 19-24 weeks' gestation, for prediction of delivery of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates, in the absence of pre-eclampsia (PE), and examine the potential value of such assessment in deciding whether the third-trimester scan should be at 32 and/or 36 weeks' gestation.

Methods: This was a screening study in 7816 singleton pregnancies, including 389 (5.0%) that delivered SGA neonates with birth weight < 5(th) percentile (SGA < 5(th) ), in the absence of PE.

Prediction of small-for-gestational-age neonates: screening by maternal serum biochemical markers at 19-24 weeks.

Objective: To investigate the value of maternal serum concentrations of placental growth factor (PlGF), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), free β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) and α-fetoprotein (AFP) at 19-24 weeks' gestation, in combination with maternal factors and fetal biometry, in the prediction of delivery of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates, in the absence of pre-eclampsia (PE) and examine the potential value of such assessment in deciding whether the third-trimester scan should be performed at 32 and/or 36 weeks' gestation.

Methods: This was a screening study in 9715 singleton pregnancies, including 481 (5.0%) that delivered SGA neonates with birth weight < 5(th) percentile (SGA < 5(th) ), in the absence of PE.

Prediction of small-for-gestational-age neonates: screening by uterine artery Doppler and mean arterial pressure at 19-24 weeks.

Objective: To investigate the potential value of uterine artery (UtA) pulsatility index (PI) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) at 19-24 weeks' gestation, in combination with maternal characteristics and medical history and fetal biometry in the prediction of delivery of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates in the absence of pre-eclampsia (PE) and to examine the potential value of such assessment in deciding whether the third-trimester scan should be performed at 32 and/or 36 weeks' gestation.

Methods: This was a screening study in 63 975 singleton pregnancies, including 3702 (5.8%) that delivered SGA neonates with birth weight < 5(th) percentile (SGA < 5(th) ) in the absence of PE.

Prediction of small-for-gestational-age neonates: screening by fetal biometry at 19-24 weeks.

Objective: To investigate the value of fetal biometry at 19-24 weeks' gestation in the prediction of delivery of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates, in the absence of pre-eclampsia (PE), and examine the potential value of such assessment in deciding whether the third-trimester scan should be at 32 and/or 36 weeks' gestation.

Methods: This was a screening study in 88,187 singleton pregnancies, including 5003 (5.7%) that delivered SGA neonates with birth weight < 5(th) percentile (SGA < 5(th)).

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy in children using the laryngeal mask airway.

We describe our experience using the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) in children to facilitate diagnostic procedures in fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB). Two cases of stridor, two cases of protracted pneumonia, and one case of laryngotracheomalacia were studied. Intravenous atropine (0.

Traumatic respiratory insufficiency: comparison of conventional mechanical ventilation to high-frequency positive pressure with low-rate ventilation.

Eleven patients suffering severe traumatic respiratory insufficiency were mechanically ventilated using a new system which combined high-frequency positive-pressure ventilation (HFPPV) with low-rate conventional mechanical ventilation (LRCMV). Ten similar patients were ventilated by conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) with PEEP. HFPPV patients were fully conscious and cooperative during ventilation and did not need sedatives or muscle relaxants.

Combined use of HFPPV with low-rate ventilation in traumatic respiratory insufficiency.

Two patients with chest injuries, flail chest and respiratory failure were mechanically ventilated by a system composed of 2 Bennett respirators and an independent source of gas. This system provides high-frequency positive pressure ventilation (HFPPV), low-frequency conventional mechanical ventilation (LFCMV) and high inspiratory flow of fresh gas (HIF), through the independent source. This system made use of the advantages of HFPPV and also solved the problem of possible CO2 retention.