Pregnancy Outcome After Selective Fetal Reduction in Dichorionic Twin Pregnancies.

Objective: This study was conducted for determining pregnancy outcome after selective fetal reduction in twin pregnancies based on the gestational age at the time of the procedure in a referral academic center between 2017 and 2021. Materials and methods: This retrospective cohort study included all women with twin pregnancies who were diagnosed with a genetic or structural anomaly of one fetus or a desire to reduce the number of fetuses in order to reduce pregnancy complications visited in the period of 2017-2021. Reduction was performed due to an abdominal approach at 11 to 23 weeks of pregnancy. Maternal and pregnancy information were recorded. Results: A total of 159 cases of twin dichorionic pregnancies were included. The highest frequency of reduction was performed at the gestational age of 18-20 weeks, and the most common cause of reduction was major structural anomalies in the fetus. The results showed the average gestational age (GA) at the time of delivery to be 37.6 weeks, the average birth weight of 2,999 grams, the incidence of miscarriage (loss before 22 weeks) to be 9.4% and a rate of preterm birth (delivery before 37weeks) of 33.3%. There is not a statistically significant relationship between the gestational age at the time of reduction and preterm birth, the birth weight, the incidence of RDS and the incidence of SGA. Conclusion: Fetal reduction of twins to singleton pregnancy is associated with lower risk of preterm birth (delivery before37 weeks reduction of twins to singleton pregnancy is associated with lower risk of preterm birth (delivery before37 weeks). It causes an increase in birth weight and perinatal outcome in remaining co-twin so we recommend fetal reduction after counselling with patients for their unique situation to improve pregnancy outcome.

Ultrasound measurement of fetal adrenal gland in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction, an early predictive method for adverse outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: Comparing the sonographic measurements of fetal adrenal gland in pregnancies with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) versus healthy controls and to assess whether the changes in adrenal gland measurements could predict adverse pregnancy outcomes in IUGR fetuses. METHODS: This prospective cohort study evaluated 97 pregnant women (48 with IUGR pregnancies and 49 healthy controls) during their third gestational trimester. All mothers underwent two dimensional ultrasonography of the fetal adrenal gland, and the fetal zone in transverse, sagittal, and coronal planes. Adrenal gland volume (AGV) and fetal zone volume (FZV) were calculated and corrected (c) for fetal weight. The mothers were then followed until delivery. RESULTS: Fetuses in the IUGR group had larger corrected adrenal gland volume (c_AGV) and smaller corrected fetal zone volume (c_FZV) compared to the fetuses in the control groups (p < .001). In the IUGR group, significantly smaller c_AGV and higher fetal/adrenal were detected in IUGR fetuses who had nonreassuring fetal status before delivery, preterm birth, very low birth weight delivery, and also those who required neonatal intensive care unit admission (p < .01 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Third trimester fetal adrenal gland sonography could potentially be used as an easy noninvasive method for identifying those IUGR fetuses who might have poorer outcomes.

Predictors of Cranial Ultrasound Abnormalities in Intrauterine Growth-Restricted Fetuses Born between 28 and 34 Weeks of Gestation: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Doppler parameters have been commonly used for the prediction of neonatal outcomes. However, controversies exist with regard to the value of Doppler parameters in predicting the risk of neurological outcomes among neonates. OBJECTIVE: This prospective cohort study attempted to assess the value of Doppler parameters in predict ing cranial ultrasound abnormalities (CUAs) in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) among fetuses at 28-34 weeks of gestation. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of 83 delivered IUGR fetuses and 75 control fetuses matched for gestational age (GA). The value of mentioned Doppler parameters and GA in predicting the risk of CUAs, including periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), and basal ganglia lesions (BGLs), was analyzed. RESULTS: The incidence of CUAs among IUGR fetuses (66.3%) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in the control group (40%). The incidence of neonatal mortality among IUGR fetuses was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in the control group. Absent or reversed end-diastolic velocity (AREDV) in the umbilical artery (UA) and the ductus venosus (DV) after adjustment for GA was associated with increased odds of IVH, PVL, BGLs, and any CUA. CONCLUSIONS: GA at birth and AREDV in the UA and the DV within 1 week before childbirth were reliable predictors of CUAs during the neonatal period.

Comparison of 8-h urine protein and random urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio with 24-h urine protein in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between 24-h and 8-h urinary protein excretion and protein-to-ceratinine (p:c) ratio in random urine sample. As well as determining a best cutoff for p:c ratio for accurately diagnose significant proteinuria. METHODS: Fifty hospitalized pregnant women who need 24 h urine collection for medical complications were studied. At first for each patient protein-to-createnin ratio in random urine sample was done. Then 8- and 24-h urinary protein estimation was performed. The 24-h and 8-h urinary protein were compared to urinary p:c ratio in random urine sample. RESULTS: There were significant correlations (p < 0.001) between protein levels of 24-h and 8-h urine collections (r = 0.75), 24-h and random urine p:c ratio (r = 0.97) as well as 8-h and random urine p:c ratio (r = 0.79). Mean protein levels were significantly higher in group with proteinuria ≥ 300 mg/24 h in these three types of urine samples (p < 0.001). We found cutoff levels of 105 mg for 8-h urine sample and of 0.18 for p:c ratio. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that 8-h urine protein or random p:c ratio in a single-voided urine can be appropriate methods for detection of proteinuria in the shorter period than 24-h urine protein.