Obesity and recurrent miscarriage: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of this study is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on the relationship between excess weight and risk of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and to highlight the common immunological mechanisms of these two conditions. The PubMed and MEDLINE databases were searched for publications in English available as of November 2017. The search terms used were 'recurrent pregnancy loss', 'body mass index' (BMI), 'overweight' and 'obesity'.

The impact of first-trimester intrauterine hematoma on adverse perinatal outcomes.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the presence of an intrauterine hematoma (IUH) on an early pregnancy ultrasound scan showing a live fetus was related to adverse perinatal outcomes.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study to evaluate pregnant women who underwent an ultrasound examination in early pregnancy, between 6 weeks 0 days and 10 weeks 6 days. We compared the perinatal outcomes between women with and without firsttrimester IUH using the Mann-Whitney and Fisher exact tests.

Maxillo-occipital line: a sonographic marker for screening of open spina bifida in the first trimester of pregnancy.

To describe a new first-trimester sonographic landmark the maxillo-occipital line which may be useful for early screening of open spina bifida. Maxillo-occipital line was prospectively evaluated in 100 low-risk pregnancies at the time of first-trimester sonographic screening examination between 11 and 13 + 6 weeks' gestation. All the pregnant women subsequently had a normal second-trimester scan and normal outcomes.

Mirror Syndrome in Monochorionic Twin Pregnancy with Acardiac Fetus.

We report the case of a 20-year-old patient, primigravida, with twin monochorionic pregnancy, with a weight gain of 6 kg in one week and increased blood pressure. During the ultrasound diagnostic investigation, placental edema and hydrops were identified in both fetuses, which, in association with maternal anasarca and pressure control, constitute the triad for mirror syndrome, also known as triple edema. In addition to being hydropic, one of the twins was an acardiac fetus, which is a rare combination of events.

Zika virus and pregnancy in Brazil: What happened?

The recent epidemic of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in Central and South America is one of the most serious global public health emergencies since the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. In Brazil, especially in the north, northeast, and southeast parts of the country, the ZIKV outbreak is a cause of concern for pregnant women because ZIKV intrauterine infection has been found to be associated with multiple brain malformations and microcephaly. In Brazil, the number of newborns with confirmed microcephaly per year recorded during the ZIKV outbreak, has been approximately 15 times greater than previously reported.

Prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease: A review of current knowledge.

This article reviews important features to improve the diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) by applying ultrasound in prenatal cardiac screening. As low and high-risk pregnancies for CHD are subject to routine obstetric ultrasound, the diagnosis of structural heart defects represents a challenge that involves a team of specialists and subspecialists on fetal ultrasonography. In this review, the images highlight normal anatomy of the heart as well as pathologic cases consistent with cardiac malposition and isomerism, septal defects, pulmonary stenosis/atresia, aortic malformations, hypoplastic left ventricle, conotruncal anomalies, tricuspid dysplasia, and Ebstein's anomaly, and univentricular heart, among other congenital cardiovascular defects.

Early treatment of intrapericardial teratoma: a case presentation and systematic literature review.

Objective: To present a case of an early treatment of cardiac intraperitoneal teratoma (IPT) in a newborn and its associated systematic literature review.

Methods: We presented a case of a newborn with IPT but without hydrops and having a good perinatal outcome after cardiac surgery. Using the PubMed database, we conducted a systematic literature review of articles regarding cases with cardiac IPT diagnosed and treated in the neonatal period and published in English from 2004 onward.

Epigenetics and Preeclampsia: Programming of Future Outcomes.

Pregnancy is known to induce rapid, progressive, and substantial changes to the cardiovascular system, ultimately facilitating successful pregnancy outcomes. Women who develop hypertensive disorders during pregnancy are considered to have "failed" the cardiovascular stress test of pregnancy and likely represent a subpopulation with inadequate cardiovascular accommodation. Preeclampsia is a serious complication with a myriad of manifestations in both mother and offspring.

The reverse boomerang sign: a marker for first-trimester transposition of great arteries.

Objective: To describe a new sonographic marker of transposition of great arteries (TGA) during the first-trimester screening.

Methods: We reviewed six cases of TGA from 2013 to 2016 in which an antenatal diagnosis of TGA at first-trimester screening (11-13 + 6 weeks of gestation) was confirmed postnatally. We specifically assessed images obtained by scanning the fetal heart in three vessels (3V) and three-vessel with trachea (3VT) views using color Doppler.

Neuroimaging findings using transfontanellar ultrasound in newborns with microcephaly: a possible association with congenital Zika virus infection.

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the main neuroimaging findings of microcephalic newborns with possible Zika virus (ZIKV) intrauterine infection using transfontanellar cranial ultrasound.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study to describe the main neuroimaging findings in newborns with microcephaly and possible association with congenital ZIKV infection. Microcephaly was defined in the postnatal period using transfontanellar cranial examination which was performed using both two- (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound.

Second trimester cervical length measurement for prediction spontaneous preterm birth in an unselected risk population.

Objective: To assess the predictive capacity of cervical length (CL) measurement underwent during the second trimester ultrasound for prediction preterm birth <32, 34, and 37 weeks of gestation in an unselected risk population.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed with 751 singleton pregnancies between 20 and 24+6 weeks of gestation. The CL measurement (mm) using the transvaginal route was obtained in a sagittal view and the calipers positioned to measure the linear distance between the triangular area of echodensity at the external os and the internal os.

Virtual hysteroscopy: a new non invasive approach for the assessment of uterine cavity.

Endometrial pathology is frequent in premenopausal women and the diagnostic hysteroscopy is considered the gold standard for assessing endometrial cavity and congenital uterine anomalies. However it is an invasive and uncomfortable procedure. Saline contrast hysterosalgingography and hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography allow detailed assessment of the uterine cavity.

Fetal biometric parameters: Reference charts for a non-selected risk population from Uberaba, Brazil.

Objective: To establish reference charts for fetal biometric parameters in a non-selected risk population from Uberaba, Southeast of Brazil.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed among 5656 non-selected risk singleton pregnant women between 14 and 41 weeks of gestation. The ultrasound exams were performed during routine visits of second and third trimesters.

Fetal growth restriction: current knowledge.

Background: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a condition that affects 5-10% of pregnancies and is the second most common cause of perinatal mortality. This review presents the most recent knowledge on FGR and focuses on the etiology, classification, prediction, diagnosis, and management of the condition, as well as on its neurological complications.

Methods: The Pubmed, SCOPUS, and Embase databases were searched using the term "fetal growth restriction".

Assessment of ultrasound and Doppler parameters in the third trimester of pregnancy as predictors of adverse perinatal outcome in unselected pregnancies.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate ultrasound and Doppler parameters in the third trimester of pregnancy as possible predictors of adverse perinatal outcome in unselected pregnancies.

Material And Methods: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study including unselected pregnant women be-tween 27 and 36 + 6 weeks of gestation. The following ultrasound and Doppler parameters were assessed: estimated fetal weight (EFW) [g], EFW percentile, placental maturity grade (Grannum classification), single vertical deepest pocket (SVDP) of amniotic fluid [cm], amniotic fluid index (AFI) [cm], mean uterine artery (UtA) pulsatility index (PI), umbilical artery (UA) PI, middle cerebral artery (MCA) PI, MCA peak systolic velocity (PSV) [cm/s], and cerebroplacental ratio (CPR).

Associated ultrasonographic findings in fetuses with microcephaly because of suspected Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy.

Objective: To describe fetal ultrasonographic findings and outcomes in a series of cases of fetal microcephaly associated with Zika virus infection.

Methods: Retrospective case series of microcephaly with definite (laboratory evidence) or highly probable (specific neuroimaging findings and negative laboratory results) maternal Zika virus infection. Microcephaly was graded as mild if the head circumference was between 2 and 3 standard deviation (SD) below the mean, and severe if 3 or more SD below the mean.

Reference values for the cervical length measurement in the second trimester of pregnancy using the transvaginal ultrasound in a large Brazilian population.

To establish reference values for the cervical length (CL) measurement by transvaginal ultrasound between 20 and 24+6 weeks of gestation in a large Brazilian population. A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed with 996 singleton pregnancies. The CL measurement (mm) using the transvaginal ultrasound was obtained in a sagittal view and the calipers positioned to measure the linear distance between the triangular area of echodensity at the external os and the internal os.

Reference range for uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index using transvaginal ultrasound at 20-24w6d of gestation in a low-risk Brazilian population.

Objective: To establish reference range for uterine artery (UtA) Doppler pulsatility index (PI) using transvaginal ultrasound at 20-24w6d of gestation in a Brazilian population.

Material And Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study in 847 low-risk pregnant women undergoing routine second trimester ultrasound examination was conducted from February 2012 through March 2015. The mean UtA PI was calculated using color Doppler ultrasound with UtA gated at the level of the internal os.

The impact of gestational diabetes and hypothyroidism on the third-trimester ultrasound parameters and in adverse perinatal outcomes: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To assess the impact of gestational diabetes and hypothyroidism on the third-trimester ultrasound parameters and in adverse perinatal outcomes.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study with 817 singleton pregnant women between 26w0d and 37w6d of gestation which were divided in four groups: 56 gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), 63 hypothyroidism, 14 GDM + hypothyroidism, and 684 controls. The following ultrasound parameters were assessed: mean uterine artery pulsatility index (PI), umbilical artery PI, middle cerebral artery PI, single deepest pocket (SDP) and cerebroplacental ratio (CPR).

Unconditional reference values for the amniotic fluid index measurement between 26w0d and 41w6d of gestation in low-risk pregnancies.

Objective: To establish reference values for the amniotic fluid index (AFI) measurement between 26w0d and 41w6d of gestation in a Brazilian population.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study with 1984 low-risk singleton pregnant women between 26w0d and 41w6d of gestation. AFI was measured according to the technique proposed by Phelan et al.

Reference range for the fetal intracranial translucency measurement between 11 and 14 + 2 weeks of gestation in a Brazilian population.

Objective: To establish a reference range for the fetal intracranial translucency (IT) measurement between 11 and 14 + 2 weeks in a Brazilian population.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed with 199 low-risk singleton pregnancies during the first trimester ultrasound exam. The IT (fourth ventricle width) measurement was performed in a mid-sagittal view of fetal profile defined by two echogenic borders - the dorsal part of the brain stem anteriorly and the choroid plexus of the fourth ventricle posteriorly.

Reference values for the fetal lateral ventricle atrium measurement in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy in a Brazilian population.

Objective: To establish reference values for the fetal atrium lateral ventricle measurements in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy in a Brazilian population.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed with low-risk pregnant women who underwent ultrasound examination at 16-41 weeks of gestation. The atrium of lateral ventricle measurement was performed in the transventricular plane at the end of choroid plexus.