Publications by authors named "M E Pietrolucci"

Although the clinical work-up of CMV in pregnancy has gradually become more accurate, counseling for CMV is still challenging. Despite the potential feasibility of universal prenatal serological screening, its introduction in prenatal diagnosis continues to raise concerns related to its real cost-effectiveness. Contextually, anticipating the confirmation of fetal infection earlier in pregnancy is one of the most pressing issues to reduce the parental psychological burden.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: To investigate midbrain growth, including corpus callusum (CC) and cerebellar vermis (CV) and cortical development in late fetal growth restricted (FGR) subclassified according to the umbilical vein blood flow (UVBF) values.

Methods: This was a prospective study on singleton fetuses late FGR with abnormal placental cerebral ratio (PCR). FGR fetuses were further subdivided into normal (≥fifth centile) and abnormal ( View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: Fetuses with late-onset growth restriction (FGR) have a higher risk of suboptimal neurocognitive performance after birth. Previous studies have reported that impaired brain and cortical development can start in utero. The primary aim of this study was to report midline structure growth and cortical development in fetuses with late-onset FGR according to its severity; the secondary aim was to elucidate whether the severity of FGR, as defined by the presence of abnormal Doppler findings, plays a role in affecting brain growth and maturation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) carries an increased risk of neurocognitive impairment in offsprings. However, the contribution of maternal hyperglycemia in affecting fetal brain development is not fully elucidated yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate fetal brain and sulci development in pregnancies complicated by GDM.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to assess how fetal sex influences cortical development in low-risk pregnancies and to analyze the effect of gestational age on this development.
  • A secondary analysis was conducted on 344 fetuses (173 males, 171 females), measuring various fissure depths via neurosonography between 19 and 34 weeks of gestation, taking fetal head size into account.
  • Findings revealed that male fetuses exhibited greater depth in specific brain fissures after 28 weeks, indicating that gender-related developmental differences become significant later in pregnancy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF