Fatal COVID-19 in a neonate after probable late intrauterine transmission.

We report the case of a 35-week gestation infant girl born by emergent cesarean section for fetal distress in a woman with recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Tests for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on the infant at 24 and 48 hours of life were negative. However, at 72 hours of life, the infant's respiratory status worsened, and a repeat SARS-CoV-2 PCR was positive. The infant developed leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and progressive respiratory failure, and died on the ninth day of life. Pathologic examination of the placenta revealed findings consistent with COVID-19 placentitis, and SARS-CoV-2 RNA staining was positive, suggesting intrauterine transmission of the infection.

Variation in fetal femur length with respect to maternal race.

We sought to evaluate whether the expected fetal femur length, based on biparietal diameter, varies in second-trimester fetuses with respect to maternal race. The study population was composed of all fetuses scanned from 15 to 20 completed weeks' gestation during a 2-month period (June to August 1998). Maternal race was documented at the time of the ultrasonographic examination. Biparietal diameter and femur length were prospectively documented. The variance from the expected femur length, given the biparietal diameter, was calculated, and the mean variations were compared according to maternal race. The study subgroups were composed of the fetuses of 39 Asian mothers, 31 black mothers, and the first 100 white mothers. The mean values of the variance from the expected fetal femur length by biparietal diameter +/- 1 SD for the various racial groups were as follows: fetuses of Asian mothers, -0.66 +/- 1.64 mm; fetuses of black mothers, 0.88 +/- 1.57 mm; and fetuses of white mothers, 0.13 +/- 1.66 mm (P = .0007). To isolate the differences among the 3 racial groups, the mean values of the variance from the expected femur length by biparietal diameter for the fetuses of Asian and black mothers were compared with the mean value for the fetuses of white mothers (Asian versus white mothers, P = .014; black versus white mothers, P = .026). A significant difference in the mean variance from the expected femur length by biparietal diameter was identified among the fetuses of women in the second trimester with respect to racial group. Less-than-expected femur lengths were noted among the fetuses of Asian mothers, and greater-than-expected femur lengths were noted among the fetuses of black mothers, compared with the femurs of fetuses of white mothers. The implications for the use of fetal femur length as a component of the genetic sonogram in patients of various races require further study.

Cervical varices: an unusual etiology for third-trimester bleeding.

We report an unusual etiology for third-trimester bleeding. A pregnant patient underwent sonographic evaluation after presenting in the third trimester with uterine contractions and bleeding per the vagina. Massive cervical varices were identified on prenatal sonography as the cause of the bleeding and resulted in cesarean delivery and gravid hysterectomy. Cervical varices may result in significant maternal morbidity despite prenatal diagnosis.

Exposure of young infants to environmental tobacco smoke: breast-feeding among smoking mothers.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the degree to which breast-feeding and cigarette smoking by mothers and smoking by other household members contribute to the exposure of infants to the products of tobacco smoke. METHODS: The subjects were 330 mother-infant pairs derived from a cohort of 1000 pairs enrolled in a longitudinal study of the pulmonary effects of prenatal and postnatal smoking. The main outcome measure was corrected urinary cotinine levels. RESULTS: Urinary cotinine levels were 10-fold higher in breast-fed infants of smoking mothers than among bottle-fed infants of smoking mothers. Among infants of nonsmoking mothers, urine cotinine levels were significantly increased in infants living in homes with other smokers; in this group there was no significant difference between bottle-fed and breast-fed infants. Infants whose mothers smoked in the same room as the infant had only nonsignificant increases in cotinine levels compared with infants whose mothers restricted their smoking to other rooms. CONCLUSIONS: Breast-fed infants of smoking mothers have urine cotinine levels 10-fold higher than bottle-fed infants whose mothers smoke, suggesting that breast-feeding, rather than direct inhalation of environmental tobacco smoke, is the primary determinant of cotinine levels in infants whose mothers smoke.

Obstetric management of the high-risk lupus pregnancy.

With improvements in diagnosis and treatment, the prognosis of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus has generally improved in recent years, and similarly the outlook for women who become pregnant in the setting of this disorder is far more optimistic than it once was. The risk of significant morbidity to both the mother and fetus exists, however. Beginning with preconception counseling, a careful and thorough approach to the care of the patient and cooperation among her various health care providers optimizes the chance of a successful pregnancy.