Using three-dimensional ultrasound in predicting complex gastroschisis: A longitudinal, prospective, multicenter cohort study.

Objective: To determine whether complex gastroschisis (ie, intestinal atresia, perforation, necrosis, or volvulus) can prenatally be distinguished from simple gastroschisis by fetal stomach volume and stomach-bladder distance, using three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound.

Methods: This multicenter prospective cohort study was conducted in the Netherlands between 2010 and 2015. Of seven university medical centers, we included the four centers that performed longitudinal 3D ultrasound measurements at a regular basis.

Reference curves for the normal fetal small bowel and colon diameters; their usefulness in fetuses with suspected dilated bowel.

To establish reference curves of normal fetal small bowel and colon diameters and to assess the clinical applicability. Serial longitudinal ultrasound examinations at 4-week intervals between 20 to 41 weeks of gestation in 39 low-risk fetuses. The largest loop of the small bowel and colon was identified.

Fetal MRI, lower acceptance by women in research vs. clinical setting.

Aim: To determine acceptance of pregnant women to undergo fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination in research and clinical setting.

Methods: A prospective study included a research group [part of a study comparing brain ultrasound (US) to MRI in fetuses at risk for acquired brain damage] and a clinical group [fetuses with suspected (brain) anomalies after structural US examination] from 2011 to 2014. All women were advised to use sedatives.

Accuracy of diagnosis and counseling of fetal brain anomalies prior to 24 weeks of gestational age.

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of prenatal neurosonography in diagnosing underlying causes of fetal ventriculomegaly, posterior fossa anomalies and microcephaly before 24 weeks' gestational age (GA) and to study the accuracy of prenatal counseling on postnatal prognosis.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study based on 146 cases of these fetal brain anomalies before 24 weeks' GA. Counseling on prognosis was compared with postnatal outcome.

Outcome of isolated gastroschisis; an international study, systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To determine outcome of children born with isolated gastroschisis (no extra-gastrointestinal congenital abnormalities).

Study Design: International cohort study and meta-analysis.

Primary Outcome: time to full enteral feeding (TFEF); secondary outcomes: Duration of mechanical ventilation, length of stay (LOS), mortality and differences in outcome between simple and complex gastroschisis (complex; born with bowel atresia, volvulus, perforation or necrosis).

Hypothesis acardiac twin pregnancies: Pathophysiology-based hypotheses suggest risk prediction by pump/acardiac umbilical venous diameter ratios.

Background: A total of 75% of monozygotic twins share 1 monochorionic placenta where placental anastomoses cause several serious complications, for example, acardiac twinning. Acardiac twins lack cardiac function but grow by perfusion of arterial blood from the pump twin. This rare pregnancy has 50% natural pump twin mortality but accurate risk prediction is currently impossible.

Effect of (minor or major) maternal trauma on fetal motility: A prospective study.

Background: Fetal motility represents the spontaneous activity of the central nervous system and as such can be used to evaluate its functional integrity. Maternal mechanical trauma in pregnancy is a risk factor for hypoxic ischemic brain injury and can potentially affect the CNS and fetal motility.

Aim: To study motility in fetuses after maternal trauma.

Ultrasound evaluation of cortical brain development in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction.

Objective: We evaluated the ultrasound appearance of brain volume and cortical development in fetuses with early growth restriction and placental insufficiency.

Methods: We examined a cohort of 20 fetuses with severe intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and evidence of placental insufficiency by three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound between 24 and 34 weeks. We graded cortical development and measured the supratentorial intracranial volume.

Fetal heart disease: severity, associated anomalies and parental decision.

Objective: This study describes the association between the complexity of congenital cardiac and extracardiac malformations, and the parental decision of pregnancy continuation or termination.

Methods: Congenital heart defects (CHD) was diagnosed by ultrasound in 251 fetuses before the 24th week (23 + 6 weeks) of gestation during the four year period from 2007 to 2010. All fetuses from the Utrecht region were referred to our center due to a strict referral pattern.

Effect of malaria in pregnancy on foetal cortical brain development: a longitudinal observational study.

Background: Malaria in pregnancy has a negative impact on foetal growth, but it is not known whether this also affects the foetal nervous system. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of malaria on foetal cortex development by three-dimensional ultrasound.

Methods: Brain images were acquired using a portable ultrasound machine and a 3D ultrasound transducer.

New reference values for the neonatal cerebral ventricles.

Purpose: To establish new cross-sectional reference values for the size of the lateral ventricles in a large cohort of neonates between 24 and 42 weeks' gestational age (GA) as well as longitudinal reference values for the follow-up of very preterm infants born at less than 30 weeks' gestation.

Materials And Methods: Institutional review board approval and parental written informed consent were obtained for this prospective cohort study of 625 neonates (58% male patients) with a median GA of 33.4 weeks (range, 24.

Disturbance of cerebral neuronal migration following congenital parvovirus B19 infection.

Objective: We describe the clinical course of an infant who presented with severe fetal anemia and fetal hydrops following congenital parvovirus B19 infection before 16 gestational weeks. The fetus was treated by cordocentesis and intrauterine transfusion at 18 weeks.

Results: The infant demonstrated mild unilateral ventriculomegaly on antenatal magnetic resonance imaging, and polymicrogyria and heterotopia on postnatal magnetic resonance imaging.

Fetal neuroimaging: ultrasound, MRI, or both?

Unlabelled: Much has been written recently about the relative merits and demerits of fetal imaging with ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Unfortunately, the arguments often generate more heat than light. We attempted to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each modality from the literature, and to arrive at some practical recommendations on when to use which imaging modality.