Elevated umbilical artery systolic/diastolic ratio in the absence of fetal growth restriction.

Purpose: To evaluate whether patients with isolated elevation of umbilical artery (UA) systolic/diastolic (S/D) ratio are at increased risk for adverse perinatal outcome.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of 330 patients who underwent routine evaluation at our maternal fetal medicine center. We regularly perform UA S/D ratio analysis with every third trimester sonogram.

The association of maternal BMI with fetal echogenic intracardiac foci and echogenic bowel.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of maternal body mass index (BMI) as well as maternal ethnicity on the detection of either echogenic intra-cardiac focus (EIF) or echogenic bowel (EB).

Methods: This prospective study identified 74 uncomplicated singleton fetuses in which EIF and/or EB were detected between 18 and 21 weeks of gestation (i.e.

Advanced maternal age as a sole indication for genetic amniocentesis; risk-benefit analysis based on a large database reflecting the current common practice.

Aims: Recent advances in prenatal screening, including first and second trimester genetic screening as well as targeted sonography, have significantly improved the detection of trisomy 21. Therefore, several investigators have questioned the validity of recommending genetic amniocentesis to all women who are 35 years or older at delivery. Thus, we sought to investigate the risks and benefits associated with performing genetic amniocentesis in women whose sole indication for testing was advanced maternal age (AMA).

HELLP syndrome: a rare, early presentation at 17 weeks of gestation.

Background: The occurrence of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets (HELLP) syndrome before 20 weeks of gestation is extremely rare. This condition has been reported in only few cases, and always in conjunction with other comorbidities such as fetal triploidy and the antiphospholipid syndrome.

Case: A 24-year-old woman was admitted at 15 weeks and 3 days of gestation with uncontrollable hypertension and proteinuria.

The risk of a major trisomy in fetuses with pyelectasis: the impact of an abnormal maternal serum screen or additional sonographic markers.

Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the contribution of either an abnormal second-trimester maternal serum screen or the presence of additional sonographic markers of aneuploidy to the risk of a major trisomy (13, 18, and 21) in fetuses with pyelectasis.

Study Design: A retrospective review of a large amniocentesis database was performed. Specimens obtained after the sonographic detection of fetal pyelectasis were eligible for analysis.

The impact of maternal age, body mass index and maternal weight gain on the glucose challenge test in pregnancy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether maternal age, prepregnancy and mid-trimester body mass index (BMI), or excessive mid-pregnancy weight gain predict abnormal glucose challenge test (GCT) results.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of 75 consecutive singleton pregnancies was performed. Patients were screened at 24-28 weeks of gestation with a 50-g oral GCT.

Fetal pyelectasis: does fetal gender modify the risk of major trisomies?

Objective: Several studies have noted an increased prevalence of pyelectasis in male fetuses. It is speculated that pyelectasis represents a normal physiologic variant in males, whereas its presence in females indicates an increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities. Thus, we sought to investigate the association between fetal gender and the risk of major trisomies in fetuses with pyelectasis.