[Impact of sonography simulation in the training of midwifery students]. / Impact de l'intégration de la simulation en échographie obstétricale dans le cursus des étudiants sages-femmes.

OBJECTIVE: During their studies, French midwives need to acquire basic ultrasound skills to measure the amniotic fluid index, fetal biometry and identify fetal lie and placental positions. They have a clinical ultrasound training during their curriculum to acquire these skills. Assess the contribution that a training on an obstetrical ultrasound simulator (OUS) could make to the competence of midwives and to evaluate the best time to integrate it into their curriculum. METHODS: Forty students in their 4th and final year in midwifery were randomized into 2 groups. Group A learned with the traditional academic course, with a clinical ultrasound training which was followed by an evaluation on an OUS (E1A). Group B was evaluated on a simulator before the clinical ultrasound training (E1B). After these initial assessments, both groups were provided with learning and training sessions on OUS, and re-evaluated in the same exercise (E2A and E2B). Group B then completed its clinical ultrasound training and was evaluated one month later on the simulator (E3B). The evaluation consisted of scoring the biometry images according to previously published quality criteria, and of assessing their competence based on a published objective and structured assessment score of ultrasound skills (OSAUS). RESULTS: Evaluation 1 found comparable OSAUS scores (2.375/5 vs. 2.24/5 P=0.52) between the two groups (E1A vs. E1B) but a significantly higher image quality score for Group A (P=0.02). In Evaluation 2, an improvement was noted for both groups with comparable OSAUS averages between the two groups (P=0.76). After the clinical training of Group B, their OSAUS score (E3B) was significantly better than that of Group A (E1A) after their clinical training (3.45/5 vs. 2.375/5 [P=0.00017]). The same was true for the quality of their images (12.67/16 vs. 9.95/16 [P=0.003]). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound simulation-based training, as an adjunct to ultrasound clinical training, significantly improves obstetrical ultrasound skills. The best time to train on simulators seems to be prior to clinical training on real patients.

Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation (VGAM) in the fetus: retrospective analysis of perinatal prognostic indicators in a two-center series of 49 cases.

OBJECTIVE: Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation (VGAM) is a rare fetal anomaly, the neurological outcome of which can be good with appropriate perinatal management. However, most fetal series are too small to allow reliable statistical assessment of potential prognostic indicators. Our aim was to assess, in a two-center series of 49 cases, the prognostic value of several prenatal variables, in order to identify possible prenatal indicators of poor outcome, in terms of mortality and cerebral disability. METHODS: This was a retrospective study involving 49 cases of VGAM diagnosed prenatally and managed at two centers over a 17-year period (1999-2015). All cases had undergone detailed prenatal cerebral and cardiac assessment by grayscale ultrasound, color and pulsed-wave Doppler and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ultrasound and MRI examination reports and images were reviewed and outcome information was obtained from medical reports. Volume of the VGAM (on ultrasound and MRI) was calculated and development of straight-sinus dilatation, ventriculomegaly and other major brain abnormalities was noted. Cardiothoracic ratio, tricuspid regurgitation and reversed blood flow across the aortic isthmus were evaluated on fetal echocardiography. Major brain lesions were considered by definition to be associated with poor outcome in all cases. Pregnancy and fetoneonatal outcome were known in all cases. Fetoneonatal outcome and brain damage were considered as dependent variables in the statistical evaluation. Poor outcome was defined as death, late termination of pregnancy due to association with related severe brain anomalies or severe neurological impairment. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up time of 20 (range, 0-72) months, 36.7% of the whole series and 52.9% of the cases which did not undergo late termination were alive and free of adverse sequelae. Five (10.2%) cases showed progression of the lesion between diagnosis and delivery. On univariate analysis, dilatation of the straight sinus, VGAM volume ≥ 20 000 mm3 and tricuspid regurgitation were all significantly related to poor outcome. However, on logistic regression analysis, the only variables associated significantly with poor outcome were tricuspid regurgitation and, to a lesser extent, VGAM volume ≥ 20 000 mm3 . The former was also the only variable associated with brain damage. CONCLUSIONS: Major brain lesions, tricuspid regurgitation and, to a lesser extent, VGAM volume ≥ 20 000 mm3 are the only prenatal variables associated with poor outcome in fetal VGAM. Prenatal multidisciplinary counseling should be based on these variables. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

[Outcome of triplet pregnancies managed for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome: A single center experience]. / Issues des grossesses triples compliquées d'un syndrome transfuseur-transfusé : expérience d'un centre.

OBJECTIVES: Study the outcomes of triplet pregnancies (GGG) complicated with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) treated with laser fetoscopy. METHODS: Retrospective study of interventions, outcomes and perinatal follow-up of GGG treated for TTS. RESULTS: Between 2002 and 2013, 25 GGG complicated by TTTS were seen in our center, 20 dichorionic and 5 monochorionic. The mean gestational age (GA) at diagnosis of TTTS was 19.7 GW (±2.4) with 2, 4, 16 and 1 pregnancies at Quintero's stage I, II, III and V, respectively. They had a fetoscopy at an average GA of 19 GW and 6 days. There were 3 (13.0%) late miscarriages. The average GA at delivery was of 29.6 GW overall (26.3 GW and 31.1 GW in monochorionic and dichorionic pregnancies respectively). The overall fetal survival rate was 57.97% (40% and 66.7% in the group of monochorionic dichorionic pregnancies, respectively). However, neonatal mortality (<28 days) is 17.5%. CONCLUSION: GGG operated by fetoscopy for TTTS have a survival rate of three, at least 2 and at least 1 fetus of 21.7%, 69.6% and 82.6% respectively. The overall fetal survival rate is 59.97%. There is a tendency for better survival rates in dichorionic GGG compared to monochorionic GGG (P=0.079).

[Obstetrical ultrasound simulator as a tool for improving teaching strategies for beginners: Pilot study and review of the literature]. / La simulation pour améliorer l'apprentissage de l'échographie obstétricale chez les débutants : étude pilote et revue de la littérature.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the obstetrical ultrasound simulator as an initiation tool for teaching obstetrical ultrasound scanning for beginners. METHODS: Twenty medical students with no experience in ultrasound scan (US) received a basic theoretical ultrasonography course on US principles and 2nd trimester biometrical measurements. The participants were then divided into 2 groups (A, B). Only group A received a practical 2nd trimester scan training session on the simulator where they were asked to determine fetal and placental position, and to take the 3 biometrical standardized measurements. Group B had the same training session but with a real ultrasound machine and a pregnant volunteer. The 2 groups were then asked to perform an US session on real patients (22 weeks) during which they had to do the same US study. The time needed to complete the whole scan was analyzed. The quality of the measurements was compared based on the previously published Objective Quality Criteria scoring. RESULTS: The mean total score was significantly (P=0.001) better for group A (14.3±1.4) compared to group B 10.3 (±2.75) for group A and B respectively. The time needed to accomplish the whole exam tended to be longer for group A (569±174s) compared to group A (479±104s) (P=0.18). CONCLUSIONS: The simulator might be a useful initiation tool to obstetric ultrasound for those who never practiced. It might prove a time sparing procedure in the training process and allow trainees to reach a basic practice level before performing examinations on actual patients.

Pulmonary stenosis in complicated monochorionic twin pregnancies: prevalence, management and outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To review prevalence, management and prognostic factors of pulmonary stenosis (PS) in monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) pregnancies complicated by twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). METHODS: Retrospective study over the last 10 years in a single referral center. We reviewed fetal echocardiography data of all MC twin cases with diagnosis of isolated PS. We assessed fetoscopy characteristics of those that underwent laser coagulation. We collected data regarding perinatal outcome, neonatal echocardiography and cardiac management. RESULTS: We found 24 cases of isolated PS among 2091 MCDA pregnancies. Among 1052 complicated MCDA that underwent fetal laser surgery, 22 (2.09%) developed PS of which 20 were diagnosed prenatally. Two cases were diagnosed in uncomplicated MCDA pregnancies (0.2%). Four of 22 (18.18%) cases with TTTS showed in utero regression after laser treatment. Thirteen newborns (65%) required valvular dilatation. Peak systolic velocities in the pulmonary artery trunk (PSV-PA) at diagnosis and the interval between the diagnosis of TTTS and that of PS were significantly different (p < 0.001 and p = 0.05 respectively) between PS requiring cardiac intervention and those who did not. CONCLUSION: An elevated PSV-PA at the time of PS diagnosis and a short time-interval between fetoscopic laser surgery and PS diagnosis are predictive of the need for interventional treatment after birth.

Placental elastography in a murine intrauterine growth restriction model.

OBJECTIVE: To compare placental elasticity in normal versus intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) murine pregnancies using shear wave elastography (SWE). METHODS: Intrauterine growth restriction was created by ligation of the left uterine artery of Sprague-Dawley rats on E17. Ultrasonography (US) and elastography were performed 2 days later on exteriorized horns after laparotomy. Biparietal diameter (BPD) and abdominal diameter (AD) were measured and compared in each horn. Placental elasticity of each placenta was compared in the right and left horns, respectively, using the Young's modulus, which increases with increasing stiffness of the tissue. RESULTS: Two hundred seventeen feto-placental units from 18 rats were included. Fetuses in the left ligated horn had smaller biometric measurements than those in the right horn (6.7 vs 7.2 mm, p < 0.001, and 9.2 vs 11.2 mm, p < 0.001 for BPD and AD, respectively). Mean fetal weight was lower in the pups from the left than the right horn (1.65 vs 2.11 g; p < 0.001). Mean (SD) Young's modulus was higher for placentas from the left than the right horn (11.7 ± 1.5 kPa vs 8.01 ± 3.8 kPa, respectively; p < 0.001), indicating increased stiffness in placentas from the left than the right horn. There was an inverse relationship between fetal weight and placental elasticity (r = 0.42; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Shear wave elastography may be used to provide quantitative elasticity measurements of the placenta. In our model, placentas from IUGR fetuses demonstrated greater stiffness, which correlated with the degree of fetal growth restriction.

[Second trimester growth restriction and underlying fetal anomalies]. / Retard de croissance intra-utérin du deuxième trimestre : malformations associées et syndromes sous-jacents.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities, syndromic association and fetal defects associated with second trimester fetal growth restriction (FGR) in a tertiary referral center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of all cases referred between 14 and 27 weeks with an abdominal circumference (AC)<5(th) centile between 2008 and 2012. Multiple pregnancies were excluded. Medical records were retrieved to look for the presence of associated malformations, aneuploidy and outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 8626 fetuses had ultrasonographic examination between 14 and 27 weeks. Of these, there were 239 cases (2.8%) with evidence of FGR as based on AC measurement. Thirty-seven fetuses had an abnormal karyotype or an identified syndromic association (15%). The most common chromosomal defect was Trisomy 18 (10 cases, 4.2%), 67 had at least one associated morphological abnormality without aneuploidy or syndromic association (28%). Most common associated abnormalities were relative short femur (5%), omphalocele (5%) and gastroschisis (4%). Last 135 cases were isolated fetal growth retardation (5%). Maternal age was higher (33 yr ± 5 yr versus 31 yr ± 5.6 yr, P < 0.01) and the z-score for the AC lower (2.5 ± 1 versus 2.15 ± 0.6) in the group with abnormal karyotype or syndromic association than in the group without associated malformation. Amniotic fluid was more often increased in the group with an abnormal karyotype or associated malformation (14% and 17%) than in the group without malformations (0%, P < 0.01). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study describes abnormalities and outcomes associated with second trimester fetal growth retardation in a large population of patients. Our results suggest that the absence of associated malformation, degree of growth restriction, maternal age and the amniotic fluid index may help in the prenatal management and counseling of this high risk population.

[Maternal-fetal surgery for spina bifida: future perspectives]. / La chirurgie maternofœtale du spina bifida : perspectives d'avenir.

Open spina bifida or myelomeningocele (MMC) is a frequent congenital abnormality (450 cases per year in France) associated with high morbidity. Immediate postnatal surgery is aimed at covering the exposed spinal cord, preventing infection, treating hydrocephalus with a ventricular shunt. MMC surgical techniques haven't achieved any major progress in the past decades. Numerous experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated the MMC "two-hit" hypothetic pathogenesis: a primary embryonic congenital abnormality of the nervous system due to a failure in the closure of the developing neural tube, followed by secondary damages of spinal cord and nerves caused by long-term exposure to amniotic fluid. This malformation frequently develops cranial consequences, i.e. hydrocephalus and Chiari II malformation, due to leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. After 30 years of research, a randomized trial published in February 2011 proved open maternal-fetal surgery (OMFS) for MMC to be a real therapeutic option. Comparing prenatal to postnatal surgery, it confirmed better outcomes of MMC children after a follow up of 2.5 years: enhancement of lower limb motor function, decrease of the degree of hindbrain herniation associated with the Chiari II malformation and the need for shunting. At 5 years of age, MMC children operated prenatally seems to have better neurocognitive, motor and bladder-sphincter outcomes than those operated postnatally. However, risks of OMFS exist: prematurity for the fetus and a double hysterotomy at approximately 3-month interval for the mother. Nowadays, it seems crucial to inform parents of MMC patients about OMFS and to offer it in France. Future research will improve our understanding of MMC pathophysiology and evaluate long-term outcomes of OMFS. Tomorrow's prenatal surgery will be less invasive and more premature using endoscopic, robotic or percutaneous techniques. Beforehand, Achilles' heel of maternal-fetal surgery, i.e. preterm premature rupture of membranes, preterm labor and preterm birth, must be solved.

Active management of selective intrauterine growth restriction with abnormal Doppler in monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies diagnosed in the second trimester of pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare outcomes of active management of monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies complicated with severe intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) of one twin before 24 weeks with continuous or intermittent absent or reversed end-diastolic flow (AREDF) in the umbilical artery, with or without twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). METHOD: This study is a retrospective comparison of 45 consecutive cases of severe selective IUGR (s-IUGR) defined as an estimated fetal weight at or below the fifth centile with a >25% weight discordance and AREDF in the umbilical artery before 24 weeks and 166 consecutive cases of TTTS stage III, with AREDF in the donor (TTTS3D) and also with s-IUGR. These were treated by either selective laser photocoagulation of chorionic vessels (SLPCV) or cord coagulation (CC). RESULTS: The 166 cases of TTTS3D were treated by SLPCV, whereas 23 and 22 cases of s-IUGR were treated by SLPCV and CC, respectively. Overall survival was 52.17% or 45.45% in s-IUGR treated by SLPCV or CC, respectively, and 48.49% in TTTS3D. The survival of appropriately grown for gestational age (AGA) twins following CC (90.9%) was higher than that following SLPCV in s-IUGR (74%) or in recipient twins of TTTS3D (55.42%) (p = 0.001). Survival of the IUGR twin was 30% and 41.56% with SLPCV in s-IUGR and TTTS3D, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Active management of severe IUGR with AREDF in the umbilical artery seems beneficial. Survival rates with SLPCV were similar in s-IUGR and TTTS3D. However, there was a trend for higher survival rates in the AGA twin for CC. The choice of the technique should be driven by objective counseling on survival of both IUGR and AGA twins and therefore by the utility-based ethical values expressed by the pregnant woman.

Periconceptional folate deficiency and implications in neural tube defects.

Nutritional deficiencies are preventable etiological and epigenetic factors causing congenital abnormalities, first cause of infant mortality. Folate deficiency has a well-established teratogenic effect, leading to an increasing risk of neural tube defects. This paper highlights the most recent medical literature about folate deficiency, be it maternal or paternal. It then focuses on associated deficiencies as nutritional deficiencies are multiple and interrelated. Observational and interventional studies have all been consistent with a 50-70% protective effect of adequate women consumption of folates on neural tube defects. Since strategies to modify women's dietary habits and vitamin use have achieved little progress, scientific as well as political effort is mandatory in order to implement global preventive public health strategies aimed at improving the alimentation of women in reproductive age, especially folic acid supplementation. Even with the recent breakthrough of fetal surgery for myelomeningocele, the emphasis should still be on prevention as the best practice rather than treatment of neural tube defects.