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BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2019 Apr 3;19(1):116. Epub 2019 Apr 3.

Department of cardiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.

Background: Secondary hypertension is a rare complication in pregnancy that causes poor outcomes, such as preeclampsia, premature delivery, intrauterine growth retardation, stillbirths, spontaneous abortion or intrauterine death. Cushing's disease caused by an adrenal adenoma is rare during pregnancy and may be overlooked by obstetricians and physicians, but can lead to hypertension, diabetes mellitus and an increased risk of fetal and maternal morbidity. Approximately 200 cases have been reported in the literature. Read More

Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2019 Jan 8. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Department of Ultrasonography, Hangzhou Xixi Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.

To determine Z-score equations and reference ranges for Doppler flow velocity indices of cardiac outflow tracts in normal fetuses. A prospective cross-sectional echocardiographic study was performed in 506 normal singleton fetuses from 18 to 40 weeks. Twelve pulsed-wave Doppler (PWD) measurements were derived from fetal echocardiography. Read More

Reprod Toxicol 2019 01 5;83:63-72. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Environmental Public Health Division, National Health & Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.

Prenatal exposure to ozone has been linked to low birth weight in people and fetal growth restriction in rats. Clinical recommendations suggest use of low dose aspirin to lower risk of preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction in high-risk pregnancies, yet its utility in mitigating the postnatal effects of gestational ozone exposure is unknown. The present study investigated the possibility of low dose aspirin to mitigate the effects of ozone exposure during pregnancy. Read More

Pregnancy Hypertens 2018 Oct 21;14:86-89. Epub 2018 Aug 21.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Marat Ospanov, West Kazakhstan State Medical University, Aktobe, Kazakhstan.

Objective: The current study aims to assess the efficacy of fetal middle cerebral artery/umbilical artery pulsatility index ratio (cerebroplacental ratio CPR) in predicting the occurrence of adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated with severe pre-eclampsia.

Materials And Methods: This cohort study included 100 pregnant women between 34 and 40 weeks of gestation attended the labor ward and diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia. Doppler evaluation was carried out to measure the CPR. Read More

Pregnancy Hypertens 2018 Oct 17;14:79-85. Epub 2018 Aug 17.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.

We explored whether there was a relationship between the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in early-late and late-onset SGA patients and whether it is associated with neonatal birth weight.

Material/methods: 110 patients who were diagnosed with a fetal weight below the 10th percentile for gestational age and who at the same time delivered neonates with a birth weight below the 10th percentile for gestational age. For each of the patients sFlt-1, PlGF and the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio were studied and uterine artery (UtA) and umbilical artery (UA) Doppler were performed. Read More

Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2018 Nov 11;22(6):989-1005. Epub 2018 Sep 11.

Departments of Child Health, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Radiology, University Hospital Southampton, United Kingdom; Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton, United Kingdom.

Fetal stroke is an important cause of cerebral palsy but is difficult to diagnose unless imaging is undertaken in pregnancies at risk because of known maternal or fetal disorders. Fetal ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging may show haemorrhage or ischaemic lesions including multicystic encephalomalacia and focal porencephaly. Serial imaging has shown the development of malformations including schizencephaly and polymicrogyra after ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke. Read More

J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod 2019 Jan 19;48(1):61-64. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Fetal Medicine unit, Université Claude Bernard, Lyon 1, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, 59 boulevard Pinel, 69500, Bron, Lyon, France. Electronic address:

We report prenatal imaging features of four cases of neonatal hemochromatosis due to an alloimmune disease. All cases exhibited intra uterine growth restriction (IUGR) without arguments for a vascular etiology, associated with oligohydramnios. Placental hydrops was present in 75% of cases. Read More

J Med Genet 2019 Mar 21;56(3):139-148. Epub 2018 Nov 21.

The Morris Kahn Laboratory of Human Genetics, National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.

Background: Consanguineous kindred presented with an autosomal recessive syndrome of intrauterine growth retardation, marked developmental delay, spastic quadriplegia with profound contractures, pseudobulbar palsy with recurrent aspirations, epilepsy, dysmorphism, neurosensory deafness and optic nerve atrophy with no eye fixation. Affected individuals died by the age of 4. Brain MRI demonstrated microcephaly, semilobar holoprosencephaly and agenesis of corpus callosum. Read More

Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2019 Mar 5;144(3):260-264. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Fundación Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud, Bogotá, Colombia.

Objective: To demonstrate changes in hepatic volume and vascular indices in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) compared with normal-growth fetuses, using a noninvasive method (three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound).

Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted between September 1 and November 30, 2014, at a maternal-fetal medicine unit in Bogotá, Colombia; it included consecutive women at 24-34 weeks of pregnancy. The fetal liver volume and indices of hepatic vascularization were determined with three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography and compared between fetuses with and without a diagnosis of IUGR. Read More

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2018 Dec 25;231:220-224. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom; Liverpool Women's Hospital, Crown Street, Liverpool, L8 7SS, United Kingdom.

Background: Antenatal detection of the small for gestational (SGA) fetus has become an important indicator of quality of antenatal care in the UK. This has been driven by a desire to reduce stillbirth in this at risk group.

Methods: We conducted a postal survey of 187 NHS consultant units within the UK to determine what the current practice for the detection and subsequent management of the suspected SGA fetus was following the guidance from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) in 2013. Read More

Eur J Radiol 2018 Nov 29;108:189-193. Epub 2018 Sep 29.

Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna MUW, Austria.

Objective: Recently, a potentially useful diagnostic approach based on MR diffusion-tensor-imaging (DTI) was reported for the estimation of putative functional placenta tissue (PFPT), thus providing direct information about placental function. Yet, the relation between reduced PFPT and the phenomenon of brain-sparing remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relation between brain-sparing and reduced PFPT volume, as found in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Read More

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2018 Dec 25;231:169-173. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Objective: To assess agreement of Doppler ultrasound measurements of the two umbilical arteries in small-for gestational age (SGA) fetuses, and to compare discriminative ability between the two arteries for adverse perinatal outcome.

Study Design: We analysed a prospective cohort of singleton SGA pregnancies, in which the pulsatility index (PI) of both umbilical arteries was standardly measured by Doppler ultrasound in the free-floating umbilical cord. The outcome of interest was a composite adverse outcome, defined as perinatal death, Apgar score <7 at 5 min, cesarean section for fetal distress, and neonatal intensive care unit admission. Read More

Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol 2018 Oct;57(5):730-733

Department of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Bioengineering, Tatung University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Objective: We present prenatal diagnosis of a 15q11.2 (BP1-BP2) microdeletion encompassing TUBGCP5, CYFIP1, NIPA2 and NIPA1 in a fetus with ventriculomegaly, microcephaly and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) on prenatal ultrasound.

Case Report: A 30-year-old, gravida 3, para 2, woman was referred to the hospital for amniocentesis because of fetal ventriculomegaly on prenatal ultrasound. Read More

Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol 2018 Oct;57(5):665-667

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Objective: Fetuses with fetal growth restrictions have higher perinatal mortality rates than fetuses without fetal growth restrictions. Vascularization of the fetal kidney is crucial to fetal growth. Hence, we assessed blood flow and vascularization of fetal kidneys in non-growth-restricted as well as growth-restricted fetuses using quantitative three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound. Read More

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2019 Jan;53(1):36-46

Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.

Objective: To explore the impact of severity and management (expectant, laser treatment or selective reduction) on perinatal outcome of monochorionic twin pregnancies complicated by selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR).

Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov and The Cochrane Library databases were searched for studies on outcome following expectant management, laser treatment or selective reduction in monochorionic twin pregnancies complicated by sFGR. Read More

Pregnancy Hypertens 2018 Jul 30;13:279-285. Epub 2018 Jun 30.

Fetal Medicine Unit-Maternal and Child Health and Development Network (SAMID), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre and Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain; Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.

Objective: To analyze the usefulness of a clinical protocol for early detection of preeclampsia and/or fetal growth restriction (PE/FGR) using, in previously selected pregnancies, the measurement of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio at 24-28 weeks of gestation.

Study Design: Prospective observational cohort study carried out in a single tertiary hospital in Spain. 5601 consecutive singleton pregnancies with complete follow-up were included. Read More

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2019 Jan;53(1):23-25

Vascular Biology Research Centre, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK.

Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol 2018 Aug;57(4):483-486

Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt.

Objective: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is one of the most serious complications of pregnancy. Up to date, there is no evidence of achieving antenatal treatment of IUGR with abnormal placentation. Although, Sildenafil citrate has shown promising results, there are no firm conclusion till now. Read More

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2018 Aug 8;18(1):321. Epub 2018 Aug 8.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, No.5, Fu-Shin Road, Gwei-Shan District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan.

Background: We previously reported that fetal plasma erythropoietin (EPO) concentrations are significantly increased in growth-restricted fetuses with abnormal umbilical artery (UA) Doppler. During hypoxia in an ovine model, the primary site of fetal EPO synthesis was switched from the kidneys to the placenta. Therefore, we designed this study to evaluate human placental EPO gene expression and the correlation to fetal serum EPO concentration in growth-restricted fetuses in a monochorionic (MC) twin model. Read More

N Engl J Med 2018 Aug;379(6):535-546

From the Department of Pediatrics (D.E.R., S.K.M., S.Z., E.P., J.K., J. Shi, R.W., P.S.S., L.G.P., H.Q.) and the Dalla Lana School of Public Health (A.R.W.), University of Toronto, and the Centre for Global Child Health (D.E.R., S.K.M., S.Z., E.P., J.K., J. Shi, R.W., L.G.P., H.Q.), the Department of Diagnostic Imaging (J. Stimec), and the Ontario Child Health Support Unit (A.R.W.), Hospital for Sick Children, and the Departments of Pediatrics (P.S.S.), and Obstetrics and Gynecology (K.E.M.), Mt. Sinai Hospital - all in Toronto; the Department of Nutritional Sciences, Penn State University, University Park, PA (A.D.G.); and the Maternal and Child Health Training Institute (I.J.) and the Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (T.A., S.S.S., M.M.I., F.K.K., M.M., Q.S.R., A.A.M.), Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Background: It is unclear whether maternal vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and lactation improves fetal and infant growth in regions where vitamin D deficiency is common.

Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in Bangladesh to assess the effects of weekly prenatal vitamin D supplementation (from 17 to 24 weeks of gestation until birth) and postpartum vitamin D supplementation on the primary outcome of infants' length-for-age z scores at 1 year according to World Health Organization (WHO) child growth standards. One group received neither prenatal nor postpartum vitamin D (placebo group). Read More

Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2018 09 17;32(5):469-473. Epub 2018 Jul 17.

Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

Background: Ultrasound measures are valuable for epidemiologic studies of risk factors for growth restriction. Longitudinal measurements enable investigation of rates of change and identification of windows where growth is impacted more acutely. However, missing data can be problematic in these studies, limiting sample size, ability to characterise windows of vulnerability, and in some instances creating bias. Read More

PLoS One 2018 12;13(7):e0200360. Epub 2018 Jul 12.

Maternity Department D, Obstetrical Day Care Unit, Soroka University Medical Center, School of Medicine, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.

Objectives: Preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction are obstetrical syndromes associated with abnormal placental implantation and changes in the activation status of maternal leukocytes. This study is aimed to determine by a simple, rapid fluorescent assay the changes in maternal serum total cell-free DNA (t-cfDNA) concentrations in women with preeclampsia and those with fetal growth restriction (FGR).

Study Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted measuring maternal serum t-cfDNA concentrations. Read More

Curr Hypertens Rep 2018 Jul 10;20(9):80. Epub 2018 Jul 10.

Optics and Imaging Centre, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.

Purpose Of Review: Because of the significant discrepancies on this topic, this review will focus on the role of uric acid in PE, uric acid as a predictor of preeclampsia and fetal growth retardation. We considered eligible review and original articles relevant to the research question.

Recent Findings: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy such as preeclampsia (PE) are a major cause of both maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Read More

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2018 07;52(1):5-8

Vascular Biology Research Centre, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK.

J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2018 Oct 5;44(10):1922-1928. Epub 2018 Jul 5.

Department of Fetal Maternal Medicine, National Nagara Medical Center, Gifu City, Gifu, Japan.

Aim: Although an absent or reversed a-wave in ductus venosus (DV-RAV) is reported to be the terminal finding of fetal growth restriction (FGR), we have seen DV-RAV that disappears within a short span of time in some FGR cases with a hypercoiled cord. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between hypercoiled cord and reversible DV-RAV in FGR.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of 499 FGR cases, including 14 with DV-RAV. Read More

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2018 Oct 5;52(4):430-441. Epub 2018 Sep 5.

Nuffield Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.

Objective: The cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) has been proposed for the routine surveillance of pregnancies with suspected fetal growth restriction (FGR), but the predictive performance of this test is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of CPR for predicting adverse perinatal and neurodevelopmental outcomes in suspected FGR.

Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and Lilacs were searched from inception to 31 July 2017 for cohort or cross-sectional studies reporting on the accuracy of CPR for predicting adverse perinatal and/or neurodevelopmental outcomes in singleton pregnancies with FGR suspected antenatally based on sonographic parameters. Read More

Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet 2018 May 18;40(5):287-293. Epub 2018 Jun 18.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.

Objective:  To perform a comprehensive review of the current evidence on the role of uterine artery Doppler, isolated or in combination with other markers, in screening for preeclampsia (PE) and fetal growth restriction (FGR) in the general population. The review included recently published large cohort studies and randomized trials.

Methods:  A search of the literature was conducted using Medline, PubMed, MeSH and ScienceDirect. Read More

Placenta 2018 05 1;65:15-19. Epub 2018 Apr 1.

Department of Radiology and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada.

Objectives: Stress during pregnancy is known to have negative effects on fetal outcome. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine placental perfusion alterations after stress challenge during pregnancy in a mouse model.

Material And Methods: Seven Tesla MRI was performed on pregnant mice at embrionic day (ED) 14. Read More

Echocardiography 2018 09 10;35(9):1378-1384. Epub 2018 Jun 10.

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Children's Heart Institute, Cincinnati, OH, USA.

Background: In fetuses with structurally normal heart and suboptimal fetal growth (SFG), umbilical artery vascular resistance increases as measured by umbilical artery pulsatility index (UA-PI). The objective of this study is to compare hemodynamic responses to SFG in fetuses with single ventricle (SV) and controls with structurally normal heart.

Methods: Fetal echocardiograms around 30 weeks of gestation were reviewed. Read More

Vascul Pharmacol 2018 11 4;110:64-70. Epub 2018 Jun 4.

Division of Women and Children's Health, King's College London, United Kingdom. Electronic address:

The increase in fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality associated with twin pregnancies correlates with an increased risk of preterm delivery, low birth weight, and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Although the pathogenesis of IUGR is unclear and thus management remains a major challenge, feto-placental blood vessels are compromised, and altered umbilical blood flow is observed. In this pilot observational study we investigated the effects of pravastatin plus l-arginine on umbilical artery (umb art) blood flow. Read More

J Ultrason 2018 Mar 30;18(72):50-55. Epub 2018 Mar 30.

Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Oncology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.

Ultrasonography, with its detailed imaging of the fetus, is very widely used in obstetrics. The primary aim of ultrasound scanning in pregnancy is to limit the risk of obstetric complications by early detection of abnormalities, such as intrauterine growth restriction and macrosomia. Currently, morphometric formulae are used for estimating fetal weight. Read More

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2018 Jul 17;226:15-20. Epub 2018 May 17.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.

Objective: We quantitatively assessed placental perfusion using three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasound for twins with selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR) in one twin.

Study Design: A prospective cross-sectional study was performed for 104 normal monochorionic diamniotic twins and 30 twins with sIUGR. Twins with sIUGR were divided into two groups: in group I (19 twins), both fetuses had continuous forward end-diastolic blood flow in the umbilical artery; in group II (11 twins), the smaller fetus had a loss or a reverse end-diastolic blood flow in the umbilical artery, but the larger fetus had continuous forward end-diastolic blood flow. Read More

Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2018 May 26;49:89-102. Epub 2018 Mar 26.

University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. Electronic address:

Stillbirth, often defined as death of a fetus ≥20 weeks of gestation, is emotionally devastating for families and caregivers. It is often associated with fetal growth restriction (FGR). Indeed, FGR or small-for-gestational age fetus (SGA) is a major risk factor for stillbirth. Read More

Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2018 May 24;49:37-52. Epub 2018 Feb 24.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skane University Hospital, S-221 85, Lund, Sweden. Electronic address:

The growth-restricted fetus in utero is exposed to a hostile environment and suffers undernutrition and hypoxia. To cope with the stress, the fetus changes its physiological functions. These adaptive changes aid intrauterine survival; however, they can lead to permanent functional and structural changes that can contribute to the development of serious chronic diseases later in life. Read More

Reprod Sci 2019 03 9;26(3):370-376. Epub 2018 May 9.

1 Department of Perinatology and Gynecology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.

Objectives: Endocan plays a role in the development of vascular tissue in health and disease and is an indicator of endothelial cells activation and angiogenesis. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between maternal endocan serum level and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) as well as ultrasound Doppler flow measurements indicating placental insufficiency.

Methods: This study included a group of women with IUGR (n = 37) and a group of healthy pregnant women (controls, n = 37). Read More

Fetal Diagn Ther 2018 4;44(4):264-270. Epub 2018 May 4.

Objective: To compare perinatal outcomes on fetuses classified as stage I late-onset fetal growth restriction (FGR) depending on the estimated fetal weight (EFW) centile category and the fetal and maternal Doppler study.

Material And Methods: Retrospective cohort study on 131 cases of stage I late-onset FGR (diagnosis ≥32+0 weeks), defined as: EFW < 3rd centile and normal Doppler (G1) or EFW < 10th centile and mean uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) > 95th centile (G2) or EFW < 10th centile and mild fetal Doppler alteration: umbilical artery PI > 95th centile, middle cerebral artery PI < 5th centile, or cerebroplacental ratio < 5th centile (G3). All groups were compared to their perinatal results. Read More

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2019 02;53(2):200-207

Fetal Medicine Unit, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University of London, London, UK.

Objective: To identify key factors associated with adverse perinatal outcome in monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy complicated by selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR).

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of all monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies diagnosed with sFGR at ≥ 16 weeks' gestation, in a single tertiary referral center between March 2000 and May 2015. The presence of coexisting twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) was noted. Read More

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2018 07 5;52(1):52-59. Epub 2018 Jun 5.

Kings College Hospital, London, UK.

Objectives: To examine the effect of first-trimester screening for pre-eclampsia (PE) on the prediction of delivering a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonate and the effect of prophylactic use of aspirin on the prevention of SGA.

Methods: The data for this study were derived from two multicenter studies. In SPREE, we investigated the performance of screening for PE by a combination of maternal characteristics and biomarkers at 11-13 weeks' gestation. Read More

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2018 07 30;52(1):44-51. Epub 2018 May 30.

Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, UK.

Objective: To develop fetal and neonatal population weight charts. The rationale was that, while reference ranges of estimated fetal weight (EFW) are representative of the whole population, the traditional approach of deriving birth-weight (BW) charts is misleading, because a large proportion of babies born preterm arise from pathological pregnancy. We propose that the reference population for BW charts, as in the case of EFW charts, should comprise all babies at a given gestational age, including those still in utero. Read More

Fetal Diagn Ther 2018 24;44(4):277-284. Epub 2018 Apr 24.

INSERM UMR 970, PARCC-HEGP, Paris,

Purpose: To evaluate placental function and perfusion in a rat model of preeclampsia infused with L-nitro-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) by dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI using gadolinium chelates.

Methods: Pregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats were fitted on embryonic day 16 (E16) with subcutaneous osmotic minipumps loaded to deliver, continuously, L-NAME (50 mg/day per rat; case group) or saline solution (control group). DCE MRI was performed on E19 using gadolinium chelates and a 4. Read More

Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2018 May 24;49:79-88. Epub 2018 Feb 24.

Fetal Medicine Unit, St George's University of London, 4th Floor, Lanesborough Wing, St. George's Hospital, London, SW17 0QT, UK; Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, UK. Electronic address:

Twin pregnancies are more likely to be affected by fetal growth restriction (FGR), preterm birth and perinatal loss. The management of fetal growth restriction in multiple pregnancy, particularly where only one fetus is affected is complicated by the need to consider the interests of both twins. Selective growth restriction in monochorionic (MC) twins is a pathophysiological process distinct from FGR in dichorionic (DC) pregnancies and management demands an understanding of the monochorionic placental structure and interdependent fetal circulations. Read More

Neuroscience 2018 06 6;380:14-26. Epub 2018 Apr 6.

ENyS - Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos (UNAJ-CONICET-HNK), Av. Calchaquí 5402, Florencio Varela (1888), Buenos Aires, Argentina. Electronic address:

Brain structural connectivity is known to be altered in cases of intrauterine growth restriction and premature birth, although the specific effect of maternal nutritional restriction, a common burden in human populations, has not been assessed yet. Here we analyze the effects of maternal undernutrition during pregnancy and lactation by establishing three experimental groups of female mice divided according to their diet: control (Co), moderate calorie-protein restriction (MCP) and severe protein restriction (SP). Nutritionally restricted dams gained relatively less weight during pregnancy and the body weight of the offspring was also affected by maternal undernutrition, showing global growth restriction. Read More

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2018 Jun 31;225:19-21. Epub 2018 Mar 31.

Prenatal Diagnostic Center, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center affiliated to Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China. Electronic address:

Objective: To present the experience on prenatal diagnosis of Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS) to further delineate the fetal presentation of this syndrome.

Study Design: This was a retrospective analysis of ten pregnancies with fetal WHS identified by chromosomal microarray (CMA). Clinical data were reviewed for these cases, including maternal demographics, indications for invasive testing, sonographic findings, CMA results and pregnancy outcomes. Read More

Ann Biomed Eng 2018 Jul 6;46(7):1066-1077. Epub 2018 Apr 6.

Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, #02-04, Singapore, 117575, Singapore.

Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) is a serious and prevalent pregnancy complication that is due to placental insufficiency and IUGR babies suffer significantly higher risks of mortality and morbidity. Current detection rate for IUGR is generally poor and thus an alternative diagnostic tool is needed to improve the IUGR detection. Elastography, a non-invasive method that measures the tissue stiffness, has been proposed as one such technique. Read More

J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2018 Jun 2;44(6):1057-1062. Epub 2018 Apr 2.

Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Osaka Medical Center Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Osaka, Japan.

Aim: To examine the predictive value of ultrasound parameters for antepartum non-reassuring fetal status (NRFS) in fetal growth restriction (FGR) cases after late preterm.

Methods: Retrospective review of singleton FGR cases before 37 weeks gestation who delivered after 34 weeks gestation was performed. The association between ultrasound parameters that was assessed from 34 to 36 weeks gestation and the development of antepartum NRFS that was diagnosed by nonstress test and biophysical profile was analyzed by using multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses. Read More

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2018 Oct;52(4):507-514

Fetal Medicine Research Institute, King's College London, London, UK.

Objectives: To assess whether, in a cohort of patients with a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetus with estimated fetal weight ≤ 10 percentile, maternal hemodynamics, fetal biometry and Doppler indices at presentation can predict the subsequent development of an abnormal fetal Doppler index or delivery of a baby with birth weight < 3 percentile.

Methods: This was a prospective observational cohort study conducted at a specialist clinic for the management of pregnancies with a SGA fetus at King's College Hospital, London, UK. The study population comprised 86 singleton pregnancies with a SGA fetus, presenting at a median gestational age of 32 (range, 26-35) weeks. Read More

Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2018 May 1;49:53-65. Epub 2018 Mar 1.

Johns Hopkins Center for Fetal Therapy Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA. Electronic address:

A uniform approach to management of fetal growth restriction (FGR) improves outcome, prevents stillbirth, and allows appropriately timed delivery. An estimated fetal weight below the tenth percentile with coexisting abnormal umbilical artery (UA), middle cerebral artery (MCA), or cerebroplacental ratio Doppler index best identifies the small fetus requiring surveillance. Placental perfusion defects are more common earlier in gestation; accordingly, early-onset (≤32 weeks of gestation) and late-onset (>32 weeks) FGR differ in clinical phenotype. Read More

J Hum Genet 2018 Jun 19;63(6):749-753. Epub 2018 Mar 19.

Department of Pediatric Neurology, Miyagi Children's Hospital, Sendai 989-3126, Japan.

Here we report a Japanese patient with new compound heterozygous truncating variants in the PCDH12 gene. As compared to the previously reported families who had congenital microcephaly, intrauterine growth retardation, intracranial calcification, and neonatal seizure associated with dysplasia of the midbrain-hypothalamus-optic tract, the present patient showed no midbrain-hypothalamus dysplasia or congenital/postnatal microcephaly, but dyskinetic cerebral palsy and severe intellectual disability as well as multifocal epilepsy. To understand phenotypic spectrum associated with PCDH12 variants, more reports are needed. Read More

J Perinat Med 2018 Oct;46(8):900-904

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany.

Objective To compare the adrenal gland size of fetal growth restricted (FGR) and normal control fetuses. Study design In this prospective study the adrenal gland size of 63 FGR fetuses and 343 normal controls was measured between 20 and 41 weeks of gestation. The total width and the medulla width were measured in a new standardized transversal plane. Read More

Congenit Anom (Kyoto) 2019 Jan 15;59(1):4-10. Epub 2018 Apr 15.

Division of Molecular Genetics, Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan.

Thanatophoric dysplasia and achondroplasia are allelic disorders caused by a constitutively active mutation in the FGFR3 gene. Because thanatophoric dysplasia is a lethal disorder and achondroplasia is non-lethal, they need to be distinguished after ultrasound identification of fetal growth retardation with short limbs. Accordingly, we have developed a noninvasive prenatal test using cell-free fetal DNA in the maternal circulation to distinguish thanatophoric dysplasia and achondroplasia. Read More