Second-trimester fetal growth as a predictor of poor obstetric and neonatal outcome in patients with low first-trimester serum pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A and a euploid fetus.

OBJECTIVE: To examine if fetal growth during the second trimester predicts poor pregnancy and neonatal outcome in patients with low first-trimester serum pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and a euploid fetus. METHODS: We identified all patients with first-trimester PAPP-A<5th centile who had undergone first- and second-trimester ultrasound examination. We excluded multiple pregnancies and those with aneuploidy or major anomalies identified before or after birth. We compared pregnancies with and without ultrasound markers for fetal growth restriction at 18-24 weeks. RESULTS: We identified 239 patients with low PAPP-A, 25 (10.5%) of whom had evidence of fetal growth restriction at 18-24 weeks. These 25 cases had significantly higher rates of third-trimester small-for-gestational age (SGA) fetus, gestational hypertension, preterm birth, indicated preterm birth, low birth weight and birth weight centiles, 1-min Apgar score<7, neonatal intensive care unit admission and fetal or neonatal death. CONCLUSION: Among patients with low first-trimester PAPP-A and a euploid fetus, fetal growth in the second trimester can predict poor obstetric and neonatal outcome.

Second-trimester fetal growth and the risk of poor obstetric and neonatal outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes of fetuses with an estimated fetal weight (EFW) < 25(th) percentile in the second trimester to those in fetuses with EFW >or= 25(th) percentile in the second trimester. METHODS: We compared outcomes of 252 pregnancies with an EFW < 25(th) percentile at 18-24 weeks' gestation with those of 265 controls. All pregnancies had early dating by ultrasonography. We excluded fetuses with aneuploidy, major malformations, second-trimester rupture of membranes, and multiple pregnancies. RESULTS: Second-trimester EFW < 25(th) percentile was significantly associated with higher rates of fetal or neonatal death, third-trimester small for gestational age (SGA), Doppler abnormalities, indicated preterm birth, gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia before labor, lower birth weight, birth weight < 10(th) percentile, birth weight < 5(th) percentile, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. Many of these associations remained even after excluding patients with oligohydramnios, fetal echogenic bowel, and growth asymmetry. CONCLUSION: Second-trimester SGA, as defined by an EFW < 25(th) percentile using current growth curves, is associated with poor obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Increased surveillance of such pregnancies may be necessary.

Short cervix: is a follow-up measurement useful?

OBJECTIVE: To study if a repeat cervical length (CL) measurement in the patient already diagnosed with a short cervix has any additional value in the prediction of preterm delivery. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective study of singleton pregnancies with cervical lengths 1-25 mm at a gestational age of 16-28 weeks seen in our institution between 2002 and 2005. Patients who were managed expectantly and had a follow-up CL measurement within 3 weeks were included. Delivery data were obtained from the patients' computerized medical records. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients met the inclusion criteria. 37% of the patients had a shorter CL on the second measurement. These patients delivered at an earlier gestational age (36+4 vs. 38+2 weeks, P=0.031) and were more likely to deliver at <37 weeks (60% vs. 26%, P=0.009). The change in the CL correlated with earlier gestational age at delivery and delivery at <37 weeks. CONCLUSION: In patients diagnosed with a short cervix, follow-up CL measurement is a strong predictor of preterm delivery. Greater change in the CL correlates with an earlier gestational age at delivery. In the patient diagnosed with a short cervix, a repeat measurement of CL gives additional predictive value.

First-trimester screening for aneuploidy with fetal nuchal translucency in a United States population.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the detection rate of chromosomal abnormalities using a combination of nuchal translucency (NT) and maternal age in a United States population. METHODS: A total of 2131 pregnancies with 2339 fetuses underwent NT screening from April 2000 to April 2002 in our ultrasound unit. Nuchal translucency was measured from 11 to 14 weeks' gestation. Fetal crown-rump length (CRL) was also measured. The risk for trisomy 21 was calculated from a combination of maternal age and fetal NT with the use of software provided by The Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF). Sensitivity and false-positive rates were calculated for different risk cut-offs. RESULTS: Chromosomal defects were diagnosed in 32 cases, including 12 cases of trisomy 21 and 10 cases of trisomy 18. The estimated risk based on maternal age and fetal NT was 1 in 300 or greater in 195 (8.3%) cases and these included 10/12 (83.3%) pregnancies with trisomy 21 and 9/10 (90.0%) pregnancies with trisomy 18. CONCLUSION: A combination of maternal age and fetal NT provides an effective method of screening for chromosomal defects. Using ultrasound techniques and risk algorithms from The FMF, the performance of the test in an American population is similar to that described in international populations.

The clinical significance of fetal echogenic bowel.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of cystic fibrosis, aneuploidy, and intrauterine infection with toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus in second-trimester fetuses with the sonographic finding of echogenic bowel. STUDY DESIGN: All cases of echogenic bowel that were diagnosed in our ultrasound unit from 1993 to 2000 were identified. Only cases in which bowel echogenicity was as bright as bone with no associated major fetal anomalies were included. Patients who were referred from other hospitals were excluded. Echogenicity was classified as focal or multifocal. Fetal karyotypes, cystic fibrosis carrier testing, and maternal serologic test results were determined. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-five fetuses in 171 pregnancies met inclusion criteria. Cystic fibrosis mutations were identified in 7 of 138 mothers (5%) and 9 of 86 fathers (10.5%) who were tested. Five fetuses were affected with cystic fibrosis. Fetal karyotype was obtained in 139 cases, and autosomal trisomy was diagnosed in 5 cases (3.6%). One hundred sixty-six patients were tested for toxoplasmosis, and 111 patients were tested for cytomegalovirus. There were no cases of congenital toxoplasmosis. There was maternal serologic and fetal pathologic evidence of cytomegalovirus infection in 1 case. In all cases of cystic fibrosis and aneuploidy, echogenicity was multifocal; in the case of cytomegalovirus, echogenicity was focal. CONCLUSION: In our population, mid-trimester fetal echogenic bowel was associated with a high prevalence of cystic fibrosis, aneuploidy, and cytomegalovirus (11/175 fetuses [6.3%]). This information should be considered when counseling patients after mid-trimester echogenic bowel is diagnosed.

Factors associated with fetal demise in fetal echogenic bowel.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine risk factors associated with intrauterine fetal demise in fetuses with unexplained echogenic bowel that is diagnosed in the second trimester. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective case-control study compared fetuses with echogenic bowel and fetal demise with fetuses with echogenic bowel who were live born. Fetuses affected with cystic fibrosis, aneuploidy, or congenital infection and fetuses diagnosed with major anomalies were excluded. Variables examined in the determination of risk factors for intrauterine fetal demise included intrauterine growth restriction, oligohydramnios, elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels, and elevated maternal serum beta-hCG levels. Statistical analysis was performed with the Fisher exact test, Student t test, and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-six fetuses met the inclusion criteria. There were 9 cases of intrauterine fetal demise and 147 live born control fetuses. The median gestational age of intrauterine fetal demise was 22.0 weeks (range, 17-39 weeks). Intrauterine growth restriction occurred more frequently in cases of intrauterine fetal demise than in live born infants (22.2% vs 0.7%; P =.009), as did oligohydramnios (44.4% vs 2.0%; P <.001) and elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels (80.0% vs 7.7%; P: =.001). With the use of logistic regression analysis, elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein was the strongest independent risk factor that was associated with intrauterine fetal demise (odds ratio, 39.48; 95% CI, 11.04%-141.25%). CONCLUSION: In our series, there was a 5.8% incidence of intrauterine fetal demise in fetuses with unexplained echogenic bowel. Elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein is the strongest predictor of fetal demise in fetal echogenic bowel.

The role of cephalocentesis in modern obstetrics.

OBJECTIVE: Destructive procedures to permit vaginal delivery of the fetus with hydrocephalus are rarely performed. STUDY DESIGN: We performed intrapartum cephalocentesis in 3 cases in which alobar holoprosencephaly was diagnosed in the third trimester. RESULTS: All 3 fetuses were stillborn. Two delivered vaginally, and one delivered abdominally with a lower uterine incision. CONCLUSIONS: A reappraisal of the proper role of cephalocentesis in modern obstetrics is offered.

Correlation between prenatal and neonatal birth order in twin pregnancy.

Little data is available correlating the in utero order of presentation and the birth order of twins. Our objective was to determine whether birth order in twin pregnancies corresponds to the order of presentation early in pregnancy. All twin pregnancies in which amniocentesis was performed from 1996 to 1998 were identified. Those with discordant genders that delivered at our hospital were included. Order of presentation was documented by ultrasound at the time of amniocentesis. Delivery data were obtained from review of medical records. Statistical comparison was done using two-tailed Fisher's exact test, Student's t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Sixty patients met inclusion criteria. Birth order corresponded to the order at the time of amniocentesis in 55 of 60 cases (91.7%). There was no difference in the rate of concordance of prenatal and neonatal birth order in twins delivered vaginally compared with those delivered abdominally (90.9 vs. 91.8%, p = 1.0). Cases with discordant prenatal and neonatal birth order had similar maternal ages, gestational ages at amniocentesis and delivery, and fetal presentation at delivery as cases with concordant birth orders. In dichorionic twin pregnancies, birth order is established early in gestation in >90% of cases regardless of route of delivery.

Cesarean delivery of twins and neonatal respiratory disorders.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the risk of neonatal respiratory disorders when cesarean delivery is performed before labor in twin pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed the charts of all patients with twin pregnancies who underwent cesarean delivery before labor after 36 weeks' gestation. All cases in which delivery was done for a clear maternal or fetal indication were excluded. Neonatal respiratory disorders included transient tachypnea of the newborn and respiratory distress syndrome. RESULTS: Delivery was performed between 36 weeks' and 37 weeks 6 days' gestation in 79 patients (62.7%) and between 38 weeks' and 40 weeks 2 days' gestation in 47 patients (37.3%). Respiratory disorders were diagnosed in 15 neonates from 11 pregnancies. Pregnancies in which one or both neonates were diagnosed with respiratory disorders were more likely to have been delivered before 38 weeks' gestation (90.9% vs 60.0%; P =.04) and were more likely to have been conceived spontaneously (54.5% vs 21.7%; P =.03) than those pregnancies with no affected neonates. CONCLUSIONS: Neonatal respiratory disorders are more common in twin pregnancies with cesarean delivery performed before labor before 38 weeks' gestation. Without a clear indication for delivery, waiting until labor or until after 38 weeks' gestation should be considered.

Hemoglobinopathy screening in pregnancy: comparison of two protocols.

This study was designed to determine the ability of a hemoglobinopathy screening protocol involving sickle solubility testing and red blood cell (RBC) indices to identify at-risk pregnancies. Retrospective chart review of all patients registering for prenatal care at the New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center prenatal clinic in 1996 was the study design. All patients had RBC indices as well as hemoglobin electrophoresis. RBC indices of those with normal and abnormal electrophoreses were compared. Comparison of protocols involving universal hemoglobin electrophoresis and selective use of hemoglobin electrophoresis were compared. Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis. There were 36 carriers of hemoglobinopathy traits in 631 patients screened (5.7%). Four (three with hemoglobin C trait and one with hemoglobin D trait) had normal RBC indices and presumably would have had negative sickle solubility testing. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of a protocol with selective use of hemoglobin electrophoresis would have been 88.9, 79.4, 20.8, and 99.2%, respectively. Cost analysis reveals a difference of $11,384 or $18/patient less in a protocol with selective use of hemoglobin electrophoresis. Although a protocol involving solubility testing with RBC indices will not identify every carrier of a hemoglobinopathy trait, it may be appropriate in some populations.

The Vecchietti procedure for surgical treatment of vaginal agenesis: comparison of laparoscopy and laparotomy.

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to describe the outcomes of women with vaginal agenesis who had surgical creation of a neovagina using the Vecchietti technique over a 20-year period. We also sought to determine whether the laparoscopic approach would result in similar outcomes as laparotomy. METHOD: Retrospective analysis of 76 women with vaginal agenesis treated at the University of Verona Hospital between 1976 and 1996 with the Vecchietti procedure. Operative and postoperative records were reviewed, and sexual histories were obtained. Data were analyzed based on surgical approach and postoperative sexual satisfaction. Continuous data were analyzed with student's t-test, and categoric data were analyzed using Fisher's exact test. RESULT: Those who underwent the Vecchietti procedure with a laparoscopic approach (N = 7) had similar complication rates (0% vs. 13.0%, P = 0.59) and postoperative neovaginal depth (74.9 mm vs. 73.7 mm, P = 0.93) as those with laparotomy (N = 69). Similar proportions of women reported inadequate vaginal lubrication (28.6% vs. 17.4%, P = 0.61) and sexual satisfaction (100% vs. 78.3%) in the laparoscopy and laparotomy groups as well. Operative complications, neovaginal depth, or degree of lubrication were not good predictors of sexual satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Outcomes in those women who underwent the Vecchietti technique via the laparoscopic approach are comparable to those who underwent laparotomy.

Mid-trimester emergent cerclage: a ten year single institution review.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical factors associated with both time gained in utero and gestational age at delivery in patients undergoing placement of emergent cerclages. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review of 75 patients who underwent nonprophylactic cerclages from 1984 to 1994 at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital was performed. Clinical variables evaluated included gestational age at cerclage, gestational age at delivery, cervical dilation at presentation, and presence or absence of bulging membranes on admission. Presence or absence of clinical symptoms at presentation or historic risk factors for incompetent cervix were also noted. Noncontinuous data were analyzed using chi2 or Fisher's exact test; continuous data were compared with either Student's t or Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: The mean gestational age at time of cerclage placement was 19.1 +/- 3.8 weeks, with a median of 12 weeks gained in utero. Overall, 65% of patients delivered at > or =28 weeks, with 49% delivering at > or =34 weeks. Patients with bulging membranes were more likely to be >2 cm dilated (58% vs. 0%; p < 0.001) and to present at > or =20 weeks gestational age (69% vs. 28%; p < 0.001). They also gained less time after cerclage placement (median 6.4 vs. 17.0 weeks; p < 0.001) and were less likely to reach either 28 weeks (44% vs. 85%; p < 0.001) or 34 weeks (31% vs. 67%; p = 0.004) at delivery. CONCLUSION: The presence of bulging membranes or advanced dilation at presentation was associated with lower cerclage-to-delivery intervals as well as a lower chance of reaching 28 weeks of gestation.