Sonographic atypical vascular coiling of the umbilical cord.

Objective: To investigate whether an atypical umbilical coiling pattern at prenatal sonography is associated with adverse pregnancy outcome.

Methods: A targeted sonographic evaluation of the umbilical cord (UC) was performed in 758 women with singleton gestation, and gestational age above 20 weeks. Atypical coiling was defined as the presence of a spring-shape UC (supercoiling) or an unusual, aperiodic coiling pattern (uncoordinated coiling).

Accurate prediction of fetal hemoglobin by Doppler ultrasonography.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of using the middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA-PSV) to predict the actual value of fetal hemoglobin in fetuses undergoing a first cordocentesis for detection of anemia caused by maternal red cell alloimmunization.

Methods: Doppler velocimetry of the MCA-PSV was performed in 18 fetuses before an initial cordocentesis. Hemoglobin and MCA-PSV values were expressed as multiples of the median to adjust for the changes that both parameters demonstrate with gestational age.

Lethal Pena-Shokeir 1 syndrome in three male siblings.

A consanguineous family with no living children and three male siblings with Pena-Shokeir 1 syndrome is described. Two children died antepartum and the third shortly after delivery. The importance of early prenatal diagnosis, appropriate counseling and thorough evaluation of the neuromuscular system is discussed.