ABSTRACT
Pregnant women with (n = 45) and without (n = 45) symptoms of depression (CES-D score of 16 or more) were provided ultrasound examinations during the second and third trimesters. An analysis of variance on the cross-sectional data yielded a significant diagnosis by gestational month interaction effect (P < 0.05). The fetuses of depressed mothers spent significantly more time being active during the fifth, sixth and seventh gestational months than fetuses of non-depressed mothers. A stepwise regression analysis revealed that 35% of the variance in time being active could be accounted for by the combined depression and trait anxiety scores of the mothers. These findings suggest that maternal depression correlated with increased fetal activity. These data also highlight the need for research on the potential effects of stress hormones on fetal activity.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: We sought to formulate fetal and birth weight references for twins from longitudinal data. STUDY DESIGN: This historic cohort study was based on 1831 pregnancies of twins born alive at >/=28 weeks' gestation from Baltimore, Maryland; Miami, Florida; Charleston, South Carolina; and Ann Arbor, Michigan. RESULTS: When we compared singletons and twins, the percentiles of twins fell substantially below the 10th percentile of singletons by 28 weeks' gestation, below the 50th percentile by 30 weeks' gestation, and below the 90th percentile by 34 weeks' gestation. The difference at the 50th percentile was 147 g (10%) at 30 weeks' gestation, 242 g (14%) at 32 weeks' gestation, 347 g (17%) at 34 weeks' gestation, 450 g (19%) at 36 weeks' gestation, 579 g (22%) at 38 weeks' gestation, and 772 g (27%) at 40 weeks' gestation. CONCLUSION: This new reference demonstrates that, although the overall pattern of fetal growth is slower for twins versus singletons from about 30 weeks' gestation, well-grown twins and singletons do not differ as much as previously believed.
Subject(s)
Birth Weight , Adult , Body Weight , Embryonic and Fetal Development , Female , Fetal Weight , Gestational Age , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Infertility/therapy , Maternal Age , Parity , Pregnancy , Reference Values , Smoking , Ultrasonography, PrenatalABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: It was our objective to evaluate the association between early maternal weight gain (before 20 weeks), midpregnancy weight gain (20-28 weeks), and late pregnancy weight gain (28 weeks to birth) with fetal growth and birth weight in twins. STUDY DESIGN: This historic cohort study was based on 1564 births of live twins >/=28 weeks' gestation from Baltimore, Maryland, Miami, Florida, Charleston, South Carolina, and Ann Arbor, Michigan. RESULTS: Early fetal growth was affected only by smoking and chorionicity. Factors in models of both mid and late fetal growth included maternal age, pregravid weight, parity, rates of early pregnancy and midpregnancy maternal weight gain, smoking, and pre-eclampsia. Increased midpregnancy fetal growth was associated with early maternal weight gain (10.91 g/wk per pound per week) and midpregnancy maternal weight gain (15.89 g/wk per pound per week). Increased late fetal growth was associated with early maternal weight gain (16.86 g/wk per pound per week) and midpregnancy maternal weight gain (23.88 g/wk per pound per week). Increased birth weight was associated with early (283.02 g per pound per week), mid (163.58 g per pound per week), and late (69.76 g per pound per week) maternal weight gains. CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm the importance of early maternal weight gain in twin fetal growth and birth weight.
Subject(s)
Birth Weight , Embryonic and Fetal Development , Pregnancy/physiology , Twins , Weight Gain , Adult , Cohort Studies , Embryonic and Fetal Development/physiology , Female , Humans , Weight Gain/physiologyABSTRACT
We report a case of fetal hydrocephalus secondary to a third ventricle choroid plexus papilloma detected by ultrasound at 33 weeks' gestation. The prenatal sonographic and colour flow Doppler findings of this rare fetal intracranial tumour are discussed.
Subject(s)
Choroid Plexus Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Fetal Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Papilloma/diagnostic imaging , Ultrasonography, Prenatal , Adult , Choroid Plexus Neoplasms/complications , Choroid Plexus Neoplasms/embryology , Female , Fetal Diseases/embryology , Humans , Hydrocephalus/diagnostic imaging , Hydrocephalus/embryology , Hydrocephalus/etiology , Papilloma/complications , Papilloma/embryology , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Trimester, Third , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Ultrasonography, Doppler, ColorABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Amnioinfusion was used in pregnancy complicated by severe oligohydramnios to enable a more comprehensive ultrasonographic evaluation of the pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Thirteen patients were referred to the Division of Obstetrical and Gynecological Ultrasound at the University of Miami because of severe oligohydramnios in which a definitive diagnosis could not be made. Nine patients were in the second trimester and four were in the early third trimester. All patients underwent amnioinfusion with warm physiologic saline solution and instillation of indigo carmine. Genetic amniocentesis was performed in 11 patients. RESULTS: After amnioinfusion a satisfactory comprehensive ultrasonographic examination could be performed on all patients. In most cases we were able to achieve a definitive diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Amnioinfusion with the addition of indigo carmine was a satisfactory technique to enable a more comprehensive ultrasonographic evaluation of pregnancy complicated by severe oligohydramnios.
