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Objective:To explore the relationship between soft markers found in the first trimester (11-13 + 6 gestational weeks) ultrasound screening and fetal adverse pregnancy outcomes. Methods:Single pregnancy fetuses were selected from the Multicenter Clinical Study of First Trimester Screening in China during August 2017 to August 2020. The types and detection rate of soft markers during the first trimester were compared. The correlation between positive soft markers and adverse pregnancy outcomes was analyzed by binary Logistics regression.Results:A total of 16 625 fetuses with complete follow-up outcomes were included in the group. Six hundred and seven ultrasonic soft markers were detected in 556 fetuses with positive soft markers during the first trimester, and the first four most frequently occurred were increased nuchal translucency (NT) (2.08%, 345/16 625), echogenic intracardiac focus (EIF) (0.94%, 156/16 625), hypoplasia of fetal nasal bone (0.20%, 34/16 625), single umbilical artery (SUA) (0.19%, 31/16 625). Among 556 fetuses, the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcome in fetuses with two or more positive soft markers was 32.50% (13/40), which was significantly higher than fetuses with single positive soft marker (11.05%, 57/516), and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=5.055, P<0.001). The incidence of adverse pregnancy outcome in positive soft markers fetus associated with structural abnormalities was 80.77% (21/26), which was significantly higher than fetuses with isolated positive soft marker (12.08%, 64/530), and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=90.310, P<0.001). Binary logistic regression analysis showed choroid plexus cyst (CPC), SUA, echogenic bowel (EB), absent/reversed a-wave of ductus venosus, hypoplasia of fetal nasal bone, increased NT, and EIF were closely related to the adverse pregnancy outcomes (all P<0.05). However, there were no significant correlations between tricuspid regurgitation (TR), pyelectasis (PYE) and fetal adverse pregnancy outcomes (all P>0.05). Conclusions:The ultrasonic soft markers during the first trimester are of great significance in predicting fetal adverse pregnancy outcomes. For multiple positive soft markers or positive soft markers combined with structural abnormalities, more attention should be paid to them and comprehensive evaluation is required to be carried out.
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Objective:To explore the clinical value of prenatal ultrasound in diagnosis of fetal cleft lip and palate during first-trimester (11-13 + 6 gestational weeks). Methods:Ultrasonographic images were retrospectively selected from those fetuses who underwent first trimester scanning during July 2017 to June 2020 in the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Fetal facial mid-sagittal section and the retronasal triangle (RNT) section were combined together to evaluate whether the fetuses had cleft lip and palate (CLP) or not. All fetuses were followed up to birth or induced abortion.Results:A total of 5 520 fetuses were enrolled, with crown-rump length (CRL) between 45-84 mm. Seven cases of different types of CLP were detected by the 2 combined sections, including 4 cases with unilateral CLP, 1 case with median CLP, and 2 cases with bilateral CLP, which were confirmed by follow-up. In addition, 2 cases of isolated cleft lip (CL) were missed.Conclusions:Combination of fetal facial mid-sagittal section and RNT section is useful for the early diagnosis of fetal cleft lip and palate during first-trimester scanning.
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Objective To discuss the clinical application of getting the images related to the partogram content using the intrapartum ultrasound. Methods One hundred twenty-three pregnant women who tried vaginal delivery in Huai'an Maternity and Children Hospital were included in this study. Intrapartum ultrasound was performed during the progression of labor every two hours. To obtain the images related to the fetal position by transabdominal or transperineal ultrasound in transverse view, determining the fetal head position; to obtain the images related to the fetal head station by transperineal ultrasound in mid-sagittal and transverse views , measuring the angle of progression (AOP) and the fetal head-perineum distance (HPD); to obtain the images related to the cervical dilatation by transperineal ultrasound in transverse view, measuring the anteroposterior diameter of the cervical dilatation. Results This study included 123 pregnant women, 123 images were obtained related to the fetal position; 122 images of AOP related to the fetal head station were measured; and 123 images of HPD related to the fetal head station were measured; 121 images related to the cervical dilatation, all the images can clearly displayed various ultrasonic markers, which can be used to determine the fetal position, the fetal head station and the cervical dilation. Conclusion Intrapartum ultrasound could get the images related to the partogram content, it could be studied to use in labor.
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Objective To explore the clinical value of prenatal ultrasonography in the differentiation among the etiologies of fetal megacystis.Methods Twenty seven fetuses,diagnosed as fetal megacystis by prenatal ultrasonography,were retrospectively analyzed.The etiologies of fetal megacystis were presumed by such characteristics as keyhole sign,thickness of the bladder wall,amniotic fluid index,fetal sex and other combined signs.All fetuses were followed up until to the induction of labor or birth.Results Twenty seven singleton fetuses (19 males and 8 females) were diagnosed as megacystis.According to the characteristics and other combined signs,8 cases of posterior urethral valves (PUV),1 of prune belly syndrome(PBS),1 of megacystis-microcolon intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome(MMIHS),1 of urethral atresia and 5 of chromosomal abnormality were presumed by prenatal ultrasound.Multiple malformations were found in 5 fetuses and there were also 6 fetuses with unknown reason originally.Among the 27 fetuses,21 were induced labor and 6 continued pregnancy to birth.Except for the 6 cases of unknown reason,etiologies of 17 fetuses with megacystis were confirmed by autopsy,genetic tests,surgery or further examination after birth.The accuracy rate of prenatal ultrasonography in the differentiation among the etiologies of fetal megacystis was 80.95％ (17/21).Conclusions On the basis of detailed prenatal ultrasonography and typical characteristics,it is reliable to differentiate the etiologies of fetal megacystis.Sometimes fetal megacystis may be one part of multiple malformations or complex syndrome,such as VACTERL syndrome.However,it is difficult for ultrasonography to diagnose vesicoureteral reflux(VUR)prenatally.
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ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical value of prenatal ultrasonography combined with maternal serology screening for chromosomal abnormality in 15 to 20+6 gestational weeks.MethodsSix hundred and twenty-eight pregnant women (628 fetuses) in 15 to 20+6 gestational weeks were selected to undergo prenatal ultrasonography, who were in critical risk of trisomy 21 or trisomy 18 by maternal serology screening. Transabdominal ultrasonography were performed and fetal nasal bone and nuchal fold were detected. Those who had nasal bone hypoplasia, thickened nuchal fold (NF>6 mm) and other abnormal fetal soft markers underwent amniocentesis for karyotyping analysis. ResultsThere were 6 cases of nasal bone hypoplasia (0.96%, 6/628), including one case of thickened nuchal fold, two cases of echogenic bowel, two cases of choroid plexus cysts and 1 case of echogenic cardiac focus. All these 6 cases underwent amniocentesis and 2 were trisomy 21 (33.3%, 2/6). The other 4 cases had no significant chromosomal abnormality.ConclusionsPrenatal ultrasonography may improve the detection rate of chromosomal abnormality for those pregnant women who are in critical risk of chromosomal abnormality prompted by serology screening. But invasive procedures are still needed to verify the chromosomal abnormality.
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Objective To investigate the fetal ultrasonographic features in pregnancies with Toxoplasma (TOX), rubella virus (RV), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. Methods From January 2011 to March 2013, prenatal ultrasound examination was performed in 545 fetuses with mothers of speciifc positive IgM of TOX, RV, CMV and HSV, detected by enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) in Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Suzhou Hospital. Ultrasonographic features were summarized and pregnancy outcome was followed up in fetuses with abnormal ifndings. Results Among the 545 fetuses, 56 cases with abnormal sonographic ifndings:6 cases with central nervous systerm abnormalities (2 intracranial calcifications, 4 hydrocephaly);9 cases with digestive system abnormalities (1 intrahepatic calcifications, 8 echogenic bowel);2 cases with heart abnormalities (1 interventricular septal defect, 1 right heart enlargement);17 cases with abnormal amniotic fluid volume (16 polyhydramnios, 1 oligohydramnios);3 cases with placental abnormality (1 thick placenta, 2 placenta abnormal calciifcation);13 cases with urinary systerm abmormality appearing as renal sinus separation;and 6 cases with other systerm abnormalities (1 neck lymphatic hygroma, 1 single umbilical artery, 1 sacrococygeal teratoma and 3 intrauterine growth restriction);2 cases of complicated abnormalities. Conclusions Prenatal ultrasonography is signiifcant in detecting serious fetal malformations, such as hydrocephaly, heart abnormalities and characteristic ultrasound features such as intracranial calciifcations, echogenic bowel, placenta abnormal calciifcation complicated with TOX, RV, CMV and HSV infection, providing valuable information for further clinical treatment, such as induced labour.
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Objective To investigate the echocardiographic features and clinical significance of prenatal diagnosis of fetal double aortic arch (DAA). Methods Totally 21 596 fetuses underwent fetal echocardiography in Nanjing Medical University Afifliated Suzhou Hospital and ifve cases were diagnosed as DAA by echocardiography. Echocardiographic characteristics, types and outcomes of these ifve cases were summarized retrospectively. Results Five fetal cases were diagnosed as DAA by fetal echocardiography. 1. Prenatal echocardiographic features:In three-vessel and trachea view, the normal“V”-shaped conlfuence formed by the aortic arch and ductal arch was absent. However, the ascending aorta bifurcated into the left and right aortic arch and these two arches encircled the trachea. Annular lfow signal around trachea was seen on color Doppler imaging. 2. Types:Among these ifve fetuses, three cases were called right arch predominant type, whose diameters of right arches were larger than those of left arches. The other two were balanced type, whose diameters of right arches were almost equal to those of left arches. 3. Accompanied malformations:Case 2 was accompanied with membranous ventricular septal defect and permanent left superior vena cava. Case 4 was associated by hemivertebrae. The other three cases had no other abnormalities. 4. Follow-up:These five cases were all arranged for MRI subsequently and all were confirmed by follow-up till to the induction of labor or three months after birth. Conclusions Double aortic arch is a kind of severe congenital heart disease. Echocardiography is the ifrst choice to diagnose DAA prenatally and three-vessel and trachea view are the effective cross sections in the diagnosis of double aortic arch.