Ethnicity and Language Proficiency Differences in the Provision of and Intention to Use Prenatal Screening for Down's Syndrome and Congenital Anomalies. A Prospective, Non-selected, Register-Based Study in the Netherlands.

Objective We aimed to conduct an analysis of the associations between the information provision procedure of prenatal screening for Down's syndrome and congenital anomalies and the intention to participate in prenatal screening (PS) of ethnicity groups and Dutch language proficiency groups. Design Using a prospective web-based registration form, we asked counselors (midwives, general practitioners, nurses and gynecologists) to report whether and how they offered information about PS to pregnant women. Duration The study was conducted from 2008 to 2010.

An Audit of Second-Trimester Fetal Anomaly Scans Based on a Novel Image-Scoring Method in the Southwest Region of the Netherlands.

Objectives: Since 2007 the second-trimester fetal anomaly scan is offered to all pregnant women as part of the national prenatal screening program in the Netherlands. Dutch population-based screening programs generally have a well-described system to achieve quality assurance. Because of the absence of a uniform system to monitor the actual performance of the fetal anomaly scan in 2012, we developed a standardized image-scoring method.

Prenatal Prediction of the Type of Omphalocele Closure by Different Medical Consultants.

Introduction: To evaluate differences between consultants of different disciplines in the prenatal prediction of the type of postnatal surgical closure of an omphalocele.

Material And Methods: Twenty-one images of prenatally detected omphaloceles prior to 24 weeks of gestation were included. A standardized form provided known prenatal information and an ultrasound image for each case.

The relation between viscero-abdominal disproportion and type of omphalocele closure.

Objective: To investigate the relation between prenatal ultrasound measurements of viscero-abdominal disproportion and the expected type of postnatal surgical closure of an omphalocele.

Study Design: Retrospectively, 24 fetuses diagnosed with an isolated omphalocele in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy were selected (period 2003-2013). An image of the axial plane of the abdomen at the level of the defect was retrieved.

Homocysteine exposure affects early hemodynamic parameters of embryonic chicken heart function.

Maternal hyperhomocysteinemia has been associated with an increased risk of newborns with a congenital heart defect. This has been substantiated in the chicken embryo, as congenital heart defects have been induced after homocysteine treatment. Comparable heart defects are observed in venous clipping studies, a model of altered embryonic blood flow.