Umbilical-portal-systemic venous shunt and intrauterine growth restriction: an inquiry from a prospective study.

Background: The investigation of the fetal umbilical-portal venous system is based on the premise that congenital anomalies of this system may be related to adverse perinatal outcomes. Several small retrospective studies have reported an association between umbilical-portal-systemic venous shunts and intrauterine growth restriction. However, the prevalence of portosystemic shunts in the fetal growth restricted population is yet to be determined.

The Fetal Liver Afferent Venous Flow Volumes in Fetuses With Appropriate for Gestational Age Birth Weight.

Objectives: The present study aimed: 1) to simultaneously investigate the relationship between blood flow volumes of the two fetal liver afferent venous systems of normally appropriate for gestational age newborns. 2) to establish the normal reference range centiles values that will serve as a basis for future investigations.

Methods: A cross-sectional, prospective study of singleton low obstetric risk pregnancies.

Fetal intrahepatic Umbilical-Porto-Systemic venous shunts (IHUPSVS): In-utero anatomic classification.

Objective: Congenital intrahepatic shunts divert highly oxygen and nutrients rich placental blood flow from the liver into the systemic flow having a negative influence on normal fetal growth and postnatal development. The ability to recognize this anomaly helps assess the possible clinical impact, counseling, and management of pregnancy. The present study aimed to propose in utero classification for the Intrahepatic Umbilical-Porto-Systemic Venous Shunt (IHUPSVS) based on our experience.

Fetal Micro and Macroglossia: Defining Normal Fetal Tongue Size.

Objectives: Abnormal fetal tongue size is a phenotypic feature of various syndromes including Beckwith-Wiedemann, Pierre-Robin, oromandibular limb hypoplasia, chromosomal aberrations, etc. Current data regarding normal fetal tongue size are limited. Hence, micro/macroglossia are subjectively determined.

Sonographic measurement of the fetal pancreas in women with gestational diabetes.

Introduction: Maternal glycemic state is positively correlated with fetal insulin secretion. Randomized control studies have shown that treatment during pregnancy inhibits to some degree this glycemic effect. Our study aimed to assess fetal pancreas size in a population of treated mothers with gestational diabetes.

Pathologic whole exome sequencing analysis in fetuses with minor sonographic abnormal findings and normal chromosomal microarray analysis: case series.

Background: No current data exists regarding the occurrence of pathological results when using Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) analysis in a subgroup of fetuses with minor abnormalities and normal Chromosomal Microarray Analysis (CMA) results.

Objective: Our study aimed to report our experience with in-utero WES abnormal results, found in fetuses with minor anomalies after a normal CMA result.

Methods: A retrospective study conducted in a single tertiary center, during four years, included collating data regarding fetuses with minor structural abnormalities, normal CMA results, and abnormal triple WES test results.

Sonographic risk assessment for an unplanned operative delivery: a prospective study.

Purpose: To assess the value of pre-labor maternal and fetal sonographic variables to predict an unplanned operative delivery.

Methods: In this prospective study, nulliparous women were recruited at 37.0-42.

Oesophageal atresia: sonographic signs may prenatally predict surgical complexity.

Objective: Oesophageal atresia (OA) is a major anomaly of varying severity. The complexity of surgical correction highly depends on the gap length of missing oesophagus and the presence of a distal fistula. The aim of this study was to identify antenatal sonographic findings associated with presence of a distal fistula and type of surgical repair METHODS: Prenatal medical records of neonates postnatally diagnosed with OA were reviewed.

The diagnostic potential of targeted imaging of the fetal pancreas.

Objective: To report our experience with targeted scans of the fetal pancreas.

Methods: Targeted scans were performed in 16 cases referred for anatomical or genetic conditions associated with structural pancreatic malformations.

Results: Four fetuses were evaluated for nephromegaly and macroglossia.

The intra-hepatic umbilical-Porto-systemic venous shunt and fetal growth.

Objective: The fetal liver circulation has an important role in fetal growth. The intra-hepatic Umbilical-Porto-Systemic Venous Shunt (IHUPSVS) causes a reduction of the umbilical blood flow to the liver and has been reported to have a restrictive effect on fetal growth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of IHUPSVS on fetal growth.

Congenital Aortic Vascular Ring: In-Utero Sonographic Assessment of Tracheal Patency and Postnatal Outcome.

Objective:  Congenital aortic vascular ring may present after birth with variable degrees of respiratory distress due to tracheal compression. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate in utero tracheal patency in correlation with postnatal outcome.

Methods:  During an eight-year period, fetuses with aortic arch abnormality encircling the trachea and forming a complete ring were recruited for the study.

Foetal Sonographic Anogenital Distance Is Longer in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Mothers.

Anogenital distance (AGD) is a biomarker for the prenatal hormonal environment. Androgen excess is a key element in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The aim of this study was to assess the sonographic foetal AGD in a population of PCOS mothers in comparison to the general population.

Imaging of the Fetal Zygomatic Bone: A Key Role in Prenatal Diagnosis of First Branchial Arch Syndrome.

Objectives: First arch syndromes are congenital defects caused by failure of neural crest cells to migrate into the first branchial arch. First arch syndrome is classified into 2 main clinical manifestations: Treacher Collins syndrome, characterized by bilateral underdevelopment of the zygomatic bones; and Pierre Robin sequence. The aim of this study was to describe the feasibility of visualization of the fetal zygomatic bone and assess its application in cases referred for features suggestive of first arch syndrome.

Head progression distance during the first stage of labor as a predictor for delivery outcome.

To assess if measurement of the head progression distance (PD) during the first stage of labor in nulliparous women can predict the delivery method. A prospective study was conducted on consecutive nulliparous women beyond 37 week's gestation during the first stage of labor. Transperineal ultrasound was performed to assess the PD.

The birth canal: correlation between the pubic arch angle, the interspinous diameter, and the obstetrical conjugate: a computed tomography biometric study in reproductive age women.

Assessment of pelvic configuration is an important factor in the prediction of a successful vaginal birth. However, manual evaluation of the pelvis is practically a vanishing art, and imaging techniques are not available as a real-time bed-side tool. Unlike the obstetrical conjugate diameter (OC) and inter spinous diameter (ISD), the pubic arch angle (PAA) can be easily measured by transperineal ultrasound.

Severe fetal hydronephrosis: the added value of associated congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract (CAKUT) in the prediction of postnatal outcome.

Objective: The aim of this study was to focus on fetuses diagnosed with severe hydronephrosis and correlate prenatal sonographic characteristics with postnatal outcome.

Methods: Cases presenting prenatally with severe hydronephrosis (anterior-posterior renal pelvic diameter >15 mm) were collected retrospectively over a period of 11 years and divided into 2 groups: (1) isolated hydronephrosis and (2) those associated with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT).

Results: A total of 83 fetuses comprised the study group: 35 fetuses had isolated severe hydronephrosis and 48 had associated CAKUT.

Correlation between clinical fetal head station and sonographic angle of progression during the second stage of labor.

Purpose: To investigate the correlation between the angle of progression and the clinical fetal head station (FHS) during the second stage of labor, and to build reference range.

Materials And Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted. Women carrying singleton term pregnancies were enrolled during the second stage of labor.

Primary Fetal Lung Hypoplasia (PFLH): Imaging and Clinical Characteristics.

 To describe in utero and postnatal imaging and clinical characteristics of primary fetal lung hypoplasia (PFLH).  A retrospective review of fetuses and neonates diagnosed in one academic tertiary center during an eleven-year period.  12 cases of PFLH were identified.

The Normal Fetal Pancreas.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the sonographic feasibility of measuring the fetal pancreas and its normal development throughout pregnancy.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional prospective study between 19 and 36 weeks' gestation. The study included singleton pregnancies with normal pregnancy follow-up.

Early Diagnosis of Bladder Exstrophy: Quantitative Assessment of a Low-Inserted Umbilical Cord.

Objectives: Bladder exstrophy is a rare severe congenital malformation. Early prenatal diagnosis is scarcely described in the literature. Low insertion of the umbilical cord is a constant anatomic feature of bladder exstrophy.

The added value of detailed early anomaly scan in fetuses with increased nuchal translucency.

Objective: This study aims to assess the utility of a detailed early fetal anatomy scan prior to karyotyping in the management of pregnancies with an increased nuchal translucency (NT).

Methods: The study included fetuses with NT above the 99th centile. These women were offered the option of an early detailed fetal anatomy scan prior to genetic evaluation.

Prenatal Anogenital Distance Is Shorter in Fetuses With Hypospadias.

Objectives: Recent research provides evidence that anogenital distance may serve as a novel metric to assess reproductive potential in men. In children, a shorter anogenital distance was linked with cryptorchidism, hypospadias, and micropenis. Scarce data exist in the literature regarding anogenital distance measurement in the fetus.

Prenatal compensatory renal growth in unilateral renal agenesis.

Objective: To create nomograms of fetal renal compensatory growth in cases of unilateral renal agenesis (URA).

Methods: A retrospective study of fetuses with isolated URA diagnosed prenatally, and confirmed postnatal was performed.

Results: Seventy-four fetuses with isolated solitary kidney were included in the study.

Fetal cerebral ventricular atria width of 8-10mm: A possible prenatal risk factor for adolescent treated Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

The purpose of our research was to study the in-utero and long term post-natal outcome of fetal isolated cerebral ventricular atria width between 8 and 10mm. We conducted a retrospective, observational, case-control study, of low risk pregnant women, between 1993 and 2001. One hundred and forty one fetuses with isolated cerebral ventricular atria width between 8 and 10mm, corresponding to 2-4 standard deviations above the mean, and 309 controls, with atrial width below this level, were included for the analysis.

Sonographic Evaluation of the Fetal Thymus Using the Thy-Box Technique Between 13 and 16 Weeks' Gestation.

Objectives: The purposes of this study were to assess the feasibility of fetal thymus measurement between 13 and 16 weeks' gestation, to evaluate the potential difference using color Doppler sonography with the thy-box technique, and to construct normal percentile ranges.

Methods: This retrospective study included 287 healthy singleton pregnancies. The fetal thymus was shown in an axial plane of the upper mediastinum.