Pregnancy entails a U-shaped trajectory in human brain structure linked to hormones and maternal attachment.

Growing evidence places the gestational period as a unique moment of heightened neuroplasticity in adult life. In this longitudinal study spanning pre, during, and post pregnancy, we unveil a U-shaped trajectory in gray matter (GM) volume, which dips in late pregnancy and partially recovers during postpartum. These changes are most prominent in brain regions associated with the Default Mode and Frontoparietal Network.

First-trimester uterine artery pulsatility index and preeclampsia risk in pregnancies after artificial frozen embryo transfer: analysis of over 27,000 pregnancies.

Background: Accumulating evidence indicates that pregnancies after artificial cycle frozen embryo transfer are associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia. Uterine artery Doppler, along with maternal factors and serum biomarkers, is a crucial biomarker for first-trimester preeclampsia screening, aiding in identifying "high-risk" patients. Guidelines strongly recommend administering aspirin (150 mg/d) in these women, owing to robust evidence demonstrating a 62% reduction in the incidence of preeclampsia.

Prenatal screening after preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy: time to evaluate old strategies.

Research Question: How does first-trimester aneuploidy screening perform in pregnancies achieved through IVF with preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) in a medical setting?

Design: This retrospective cohort study was undertaken in a single tertiary care centre between January 2013 and June 2022. In total, 20,237 women had prenatal follow-up at the study centre and were included in the study. The women were divided into three groups: singleton pregnancies conceived through the transfer of a PGT-A-screened euploid embryo (n = 510); singleton pregnancies conceived through IVF without PGT-A (n = 3291); and singleton pregnancies conceived naturally (n = 16,436).

Assessment of fetal cardiac function in early fetal life: feasibility, reproducibility, and early fetal nomograms.

Background: Fetal cardiology has shown a rapid development in the past decades. Fetal echocardiography is not only used for the detection of structural anomalies but also to assess fetal cardiac function. Assessment of the fetal cardiac function is performed mostly in the second and third trimesters.

Prevalence of corpus callosum pathology in an unselected population. Should assessment of the corpus callosum be included in the routine 20 weeks scan?

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of abnormalities of the corpus callosum (AbnCC) in a non-selected population, to propose a systematic screening protocol for AbnCC in all populations through direct assessment, and to describe the follow-up and prognosis of all AbnCC cases diagnosed in our clinical setting.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of the prevalence of AbnCC over 11 years. We included a sagittal assessment of the corpus callosum (CC) in the second-trimester scan.

External validation of Fetal Medicine Foundation competing-risks model for midgestation prediction of small-for-gestational-age neonates in Spanish population.

Objective: To examine the external validity of the new Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) competing-risks model for prediction in midgestation of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates.

Methods: This was a single-center prospective cohort study of 25 484 women with a singleton pregnancy undergoing routine ultrasound examination at 19 + 0 to 23 + 6 weeks' gestation. The FMF competing-risks model for the prediction of SGA combining maternal factors and midgestation estimated fetal weight by ultrasound scan (EFW) and uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA-PI) was used to calculate risks for different cut-offs of birth-weight percentile and gestational age at delivery.

Fetal Megacystis: Associated Structural Abnormalities and Obstetric Outcomes.

We evaluated the obstetrical outcomes, ultrasonographic characteristics, and final diagnosis in pregnancies with fetal megacystis (FM). We evaluated the obstetrical outcomes and associated structural abnormalities of fetuses with FM detected between FM between 2000 and 2021. 17 FM were diagnosed, 16 had follow up.

Gestational diabetes prevalence and outcomes in women undergoing assisted reproductive techniques (ART).

Unlabelled: Infertility affects millions worldwide and use of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) is in high demand.

Aims: To investigate whether women that underwent ART at our hospital had a higher incidence of GDM than women who conceived spontaneously, if the ART subtype affects the GDM rate and to study obstetrical outcomes in women with GDM in both groups.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of singleton pregnancies attended at Hospital Universitari Dexeus between 2008 and 2019.

Outcome in a series of 1135 twin pregnancies: does the type of conception play a role?

Background: The rate of twin pregnancies conceived via assisted reproductive technology has increased markedly in recent years. The elevated number of multiple pregnancies is the most serious and frequent complication of assisted reproductive technology. Twin pregnancies are associated with higher rates of obstetrical complications, preterm delivery, and perinatal morbidity and mortality than singleton pregnancies.

Angiogenic factors assessment in pre-eclampsia high-risk population for the prediction of small-for-gestational age neonates: A prospective longitudinal study.

Objective: The authors aimed to compare cross-sectional versus longitudinal models for prediction of small-for-gestational age (SGA) neonates among pregnancies with high risk of early pre-eclampsia (PE).

Methods: A prospective longitudinal study was performed in Hospital Universitari Dexeus, Barcelona. The study population included 390 pregnancies with a high risk of early PE according to the first trimester algorithm.

Cesarean rate in selected hospital network of private sector: A retrospective study.

Introduction: In Spain over the last two decades, cesarean section (CS) rates have increased from 15 to 25% in the Public Health Sector and from 28 to 38% in the private sector. There are multiples causes for this rise, which are often unclear. The aim of our study is to collect and analyze all the CS rates data from a hospital network of the 42 Quirónsalud Hospitals (private sector) and to assess its distribution regarding the different types of hospitals and patient characteristics.

Maternal high-dose valacyclovir and its correlation with newborn blood viral load and outcome in congenital cytomegalovirus infection.

Background/objective: Currently, there is no validated treatment for fetal cytomegalovirus (CMV). Two studies suggest that high-dose maternal valacyclovir decreases fetal viral load and improves outcomes in moderately-symptomatic fetuses. We offered valacyclovir in cases of fetal infection lacking ultrasound abnormalities or with non-severe infection.

"Screening for small-for-gestational age neonates at early third trimester in a high-risk population for preeclampsia".

Background: Strategies to improve prenatal detection of small-for-gestational age (SGA) neonates are necessary because its association with poorer perinatal outcome. This study evaluated, in pregnancies with first trimester high risk of early preeclampsia, the performance of a third trimester screening for SGA combining biophysical and biochemical markers.

Methods: This is a prospective longitudinal study on 378 singleton pregnancies identified at high risk of early preeclampsia according to a first trimester multiparametric algorithm with the cutoff corresponding to 15% false positive rate.

First-trimester fasting glycemia as a predictor of gestational diabetes (GDM) and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Aims: Studies to prevent gestational diabetes (GDM) have shown the best results when lifestyle measures have been applied early in pregnancy. We aimed to investigate whether first-trimester fasting plasma glucose (FPG) could predict GDM risk and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from singleton pregnancies who were attended at our hospital between 2008 and 2018 (n = 27,198) was performed.

Prenatal Evaluation of the Fetal Conus Medullaris on a Routine Scan.

Objective: To assess the ability to identify the conus medullaris (CM) and measure the conus-sacrum distance (CS distance) on a routine scan and the relationship with maternal and fetal factors.

Methods: This was a prospective study. The assessment of the CM and the CS distance and the influence of the body mass index (BMI), gestational age (GA) and fetal position were analyzed.

Initial experience with non-invasive prenatal testing of cell-free DNA for major chromosomal anomalies in a clinical setting.

Objective: To evaluate non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as a screening method for major chromosomal anomalies (CA) in a clinical setting.

Methods: From January to December 2013, Panorama™ test or Harmony™ prenatal test were offered as advanced NIPT, in addition to first-trimester combined screening in singleton pregnancies.

Results: The cohort included 333 pregnant women with a mean maternal age (MA) of 37 years who underwent testing at a mean gestational age of 14.

Sonographic evaluation of the fetal conus medullaris.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the most reproducible method in the sonographic evaluation of the conus medullaris (CM) and its relationship with gestational age (GA).

Methods: This is a prospective study of singleton structurally normal fetuses between 20 and 30 weeks' gestation. Sonographic evaluation of the CM was performed using two methodologies: a qualitative assessment of the CM level in relation to the lumbar vertebrae and a quantitative measurement of the distance from the CM to the last spine ossification centre (conus-sacrum or CS distance).

Systematic review of screening for trisomy 21 in twin pregnancies in first trimester combining nuchal translucency and biochemical markers: a meta-analysis.

Aim: This article is a systematic review of the literature to establish the detection rate and false-positive rate of the combined test for the screening of trisomy 21 in twins.

Material And Methods: We conducted a literature search (MEDLINE, EMBASE and ScienceDirect and Cochrane) to identify studies between 1995 and 2013 that provided data on the combined test in twins. Selected studies included data on maternal age, number of fetuses affected by Down syndrome, test strategy, sensitivity and specificity of the test.

Concordance between prenatal ultrasound and autopsy findings in a tertiary center.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ultrasound (US)/autopsy concordance in elective termination of pregnancies (TOP) due to fetal causes.

Methods: We performed a retrospective evaluation of elective TOP from 2004 to 2012. Inclusion criteria were gestational age at termination <24 weeks, fetal pathology and availability of US/autopsy data.

Analysis of three different strategies in prenatal screening for Down's syndrome in twin pregnancies.

Objectives: To compare the performance of three different strategies in prenatal screening for Down's syndrome in twins [nuchal translucency, the combined test, the combined test + ductus venosus pulsatility index (DVPI)].

Methods: We included 277 twin pregnancies with two cases of trisomy 21 (both dichorionic). We performed a computer simulation of Down's syndrome NT screening, combined test screening and the combined test with the addition of DVPI screening using the commercialized software SsdwLab6.

The study of fetal neurobehavior in twins in all three trimesters of pregnancy.

Aim: The aim was to assess the onset and the frequencies of the first intertwin contacts by four-dimensional ultrasound (4D US) in the 1st trimester of pregnancy. In the second part of the study, fetal behavior and Kurjak Antenatal Neurodevelopmental Test (KANET) score of twins compared to singletons in the 2nd and the 3rd trimesters was assessed.

Patients And Methods: Transvaginal 4D assessment was performed in 20 women in the 1st trimester between 56 and 69 postmenstrual days (PMD), while trans-abdominal approach was performed from 70 PMD onwards and at weekly intervals until 112 PMD.

First trimester risk assessment for trisomy 21 in twin pregnancies combining nuchal translucency and first trimester biochemical markers.

Objective: The aim is to describe the performance of first-trimester combined risk assessment in twin pregnancies.

Methods: Maternal serum free beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) were determined at 8 to 12 weeks and fetal nuchal translucency (NT) was measured at 11 to 13+6 weeks. The individual risk was estimated for each fetus using the combined test in dichorionic twins.

Is the addition of the ductus venosus useful when screening for aneuploidy and congenital heart disease in fetuses with normal nuchal translucency?

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the possible role of Doppler ultrasound assessment of ductus venosus (DV) blood flow at 11⁺⁰-13⁺⁶ weeks' gestation in fetuses with normal nuchal translucency (NT) in screening for autosomal trisomies (AT) and for congenital heart diseases (CHD) in chromosomally normal fetuses.

Methods: First-trimester combined screening for trisomy 21 (T21) was carried out prospectively for 7 years in singleton pregnancies. NT and the pulsatility index for DV (DVPI) were calculated.

Early first-trimester free-β-hCG and PAPP-A serum distributions in monochorionic and dichorionic twins.

Objective: To examine the distribution of first-trimester biochemical markers of aneuploidy in twins according to chorionicity.

Methods: Maternal serum free-β-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) were measured between 8-13 + 6 weeks as a part of a routine first-trimester screening program in conjunction with fetal nuchal translucency measured at 11 to 13 + 6 weeks' gestation. Data from 279 twin pregnancies were extracted from our fetal databases.