Assessment of cardiac angle in fetuses with congenital heart disease at risk of 22q11.2 deletion.

Objectives: To evaluate fetal cardiac angle as a screening tool for 22q11.2 deletion among cases with cardiac anomalies known to be associated with this genetic condition, to examine the correlation of fetal cardiac angle with thymic-thoracic (TT)-ratio, and to assess the performance of TT ratio as a covariate in screening for 22q11.2 deletion.

Prenatal detection of fetal triploidy from cell-free DNA testing in maternal blood.

Objective: To investigate potential performance of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing in maternal blood in detecting fetal triploidy.

Methods: Plasma and buffy coat samples obtained at 11-13 weeks' gestation from singleton pregnancies with diandric triploidy (n=4), digynic triploidy (n=4), euploid fetuses (n=48) were sent to Natera, Inc. (San Carlos, Calif.

Maternal age and adverse pregnancy outcome: a cohort study.

Objective: To examine the association between maternal age and a wide range of adverse pregnancy outcomes after adjustment for confounding factors in obstetric history and maternal characteristics.

Methods: This was a retrospective study in women with singleton pregnancies attending the first routine hospital visit at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks' gestation. Data on maternal characteristics, and medical and obstetric history were collected and pregnancy outcomes ascertained.