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Obstetrics and Gynecology Jun 2021The goal of antepartum fetal surveillance is to reduce the risk of stillbirth. Antepartum fetal surveillance techniques based on assessment of fetal heart rate (FHR)...
The goal of antepartum fetal surveillance is to reduce the risk of stillbirth. Antepartum fetal surveillance techniques based on assessment of fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns have been in clinical use for almost four decades and are used along with real-time ultrasonography and umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry to evaluate fetal well-being. Antepartum fetal surveillance techniques are routinely used to assess the risk of fetal death in pregnancies complicated by preexisting maternal conditions (eg, diabetes mellitus) as well as those in which complications have developed (eg, fetal growth restriction). The purpose of this document is to provide a review of the current indications for and techniques of antepartum fetal surveillance and outline management guidelines for antepartum fetal surveillance that are consistent with the best scientific evidence.
Topics: Blood Flow Velocity; Female; Fetal Death; Fetal Distress; Fetal Movement; Heart Rate, Fetal; Humans; Oligohydramnios; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Prenatal Diagnosis; Stillbirth; Ultrasonography, Doppler; Ultrasonography, Prenatal; Umbilical Arteries; Uterine Contraction
PubMed: 34011889
DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004410 -
Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of... Dec 2020Periviable deliveries (less than 26 weeks) are a small percentage of deliveries but account for a disproportionately high number of long-term morbidities. Few studies... (Review)
Review
Periviable deliveries (less than 26 weeks) are a small percentage of deliveries but account for a disproportionately high number of long-term morbidities. Few studies describe interventions and outcomes for periviable preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). The available reports may include only those neonates who received resuscitation, making interpretation and application difficult. Counseling should consider the impact of oligohydramnios on fetal lung development. This article discusses standard and experimental interventions that may offer neonatal benefit. Antenatal corticosteroids, antibiotics, and magnesium sulfate may improve outcomes but data to support an improvement in outcome are limited. Studies specifically evaluating these interventions are needed.
Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Amniotic Fluid; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia; Cerclage, Cervical; Chorioamnionitis; Female; Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture; Fetal Viability; Gestational Age; Humans; Infant, Extremely Premature; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature, Diseases; Magnesium Sulfate; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Premature Birth
PubMed: 33121650
DOI: 10.1016/j.ogc.2020.08.007 -
Translational Pediatrics May 2021Twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a common complication that typically presents in the second trimester of pregnancy in 10-15% of monochorionic twins due to... (Review)
Review
Twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a common complication that typically presents in the second trimester of pregnancy in 10-15% of monochorionic twins due to net transfer of volume and hormonal substances from one twin to the other across vascular anastomoses on the placenta. Without recognition and treatment, TTTS is the greatest contributor to fetal loss prior to viability in 90-100% of advanced cases. Ultrasound diagnosis of monochorionicity is most reliable in the first trimester and sets the monitoring strategy for this type of twins. The diagnosis of TTTS is made by ultrasound with the findings of polyhydramnios due to volume overload and polyuria in one twin and oligohydramnios due to oliguria of the co-twin. Assessment of bladder filling as well as arterial and venous Doppler patterns are required for staging disease severity. Assessment of fetal cardiac function also provides additional insight into the fetal cardiovascular impacts of the disease as well as help identify fetuses that may require postnatal follow up. Fetoscopic laser ablation of the communicating vascular anastomoses between the twins is the standard treatment for TTTS. It aims to cure the condition by interrupting the link between their circulations and making them independent of one another. Contemporary outcome data after laser surgery suggests survival for both fetuses can be anticipated in up to 65% of cases and survival of a single fetus in up to 88% of cases. However, preterm birth remains a significant contributor to postnatal morbidity and mortality. Long term outcomes of TTTS survivors indicate that up to 11% of children may show signs of neurologic impairment. Strategies to minimize preterm birth after treatment and standardized reporting by laser centers are important considerations to improve overall outcomes and understand the long-term impacts of TTTS.
PubMed: 34189110
DOI: 10.21037/tp-20-264 -
Nature Reviews. Urology May 2022Fetal lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) is associated with high mortality and postnatal morbidity caused by lung hypoplasia and impaired kidney function. Specific... (Review)
Review
Fetal lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) is associated with high mortality and postnatal morbidity caused by lung hypoplasia and impaired kidney function. Specific diagnostic features that can guide clinical approach and decisions are lacking; thus, the European Reference Network for Rare Kidney Diseases established a work group to develop recommendations regarding the clinical definition, diagnosis and management of prenatally detected LUTO. The work group recommends the use of antero-posterior diameter of renal pelvis as the most reliable parameter for suspecting obstructive uropathies and for suspecting prenatal LUTO in the presence of fetal megacystis. Regarding prenatal and postnatal prognosis of fetuses with LUTO, the risk of fetal and neonatal death depends on the presence of oligohydramnios or anhydramnios before 20 weeks' gestation, whereas the risk of kidney replacement therapy cannot be reliably foreseen before birth. Parents of fetuses with LUTO must be referred to a tertiary obstetric centre with multidisciplinary expertise in prenatal and postnatal management of obstructive uropathies, and vesico-amniotic shunt placement should be offered in selected instances, as it increases perinatal survival of fetuses with LUTO.
Topics: Consensus; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Oligohydramnios; Pregnancy; Retrospective Studies; Ultrasonography, Prenatal; Urethral Diseases; Urethral Obstruction; Urinary Bladder; Urogenital Abnormalities; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux
PubMed: 35136187
DOI: 10.1038/s41585-022-00563-8 -
JAMA Dec 2023Early anhydramnios during pregnancy, resulting from fetal bilateral renal agenesis, causes lethal pulmonary hypoplasia in neonates. Restoring amniotic fluid via serial... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial
IMPORTANCE
Early anhydramnios during pregnancy, resulting from fetal bilateral renal agenesis, causes lethal pulmonary hypoplasia in neonates. Restoring amniotic fluid via serial amnioinfusions may promote lung development, enabling survival.
OBJECTIVE
To assess neonatal outcomes of serial amnioinfusions initiated before 26 weeks' gestation to mitigate lethal pulmonary hypoplasia.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
Prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial conducted at 9 US fetal therapy centers between December 2018 and July 2022. Outcomes are reported for 21 maternal-fetal pairs with confirmed anhydramnios due to isolated fetal bilateral renal agenesis without other identified congenital anomalies.
EXPOSURE
Enrolled participants initiated ultrasound-guided percutaneous amnioinfusions of isotonic fluid before 26 weeks' gestation, with frequency of infusions individualized to maintain normal amniotic fluid levels for gestational age.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The primary end point was postnatal infant survival to 14 days of life or longer with dialysis access placement.
RESULTS
The trial was stopped early based on an interim analysis of 18 maternal-fetal pairs given concern about neonatal morbidity and mortality beyond the primary end point despite demonstration of the efficacy of the intervention. There were 17 live births (94%), with a median gestational age at delivery of 32 weeks, 4 days (IQR, 32-34 weeks). All participants delivered prior to 37 weeks' gestation. The primary outcome was achieved in 14 (82%) of 17 live-born infants (95% CI, 44%-99%). Factors associated with survival to the primary outcome included a higher number of amnioinfusions (P = .01), gestational age greater than 32 weeks (P = .005), and higher birth weight (P = .03). Only 6 (35%) of the 17 neonates born alive survived to hospital discharge while receiving peritoneal dialysis at a median age of 24 weeks of life (range, 12-32 weeks).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Serial amnioinfusions mitigated lethal pulmonary hypoplasia but were associated with preterm delivery. The lower rate of survival to discharge highlights the additional mortality burden independent of lung function. Additional long-term data are needed to fully characterize the outcomes in surviving neonates and assess the morbidity and mortality burden.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03101891.
Topics: Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Fetal Therapies; Gestational Age; Kidney; Kidney Diseases; Prospective Studies; Infusions, Parenteral; Oligohydramnios; Fetal Diseases; Lung Diseases; Isotonic Solutions; Ultrasonography, Interventional; Pregnancy Outcome; Treatment Outcome; Premature Birth
PubMed: 38051327
DOI: 10.1001/jama.2023.21153 -
Best Practice & Research. Clinical... Jul 2019Congenital bladder neck obstruction (or lower urinary tract obstruction [LUTO]) describes a heterogeneous group of congenital anomalies presenting with similar prenatal... (Review)
Review
Congenital bladder neck obstruction (or lower urinary tract obstruction [LUTO]) describes a heterogeneous group of congenital anomalies presenting with similar prenatal ultrasonographic findings of dilated posterior urethra, megacystis, hydronephrosis, oligohydramnios and often with associated renal dysplasia. Untreated LUTO has high rate of perinatal morbidity and mortality from associated pulmonary hypoplasia and early-onset renal failure in infancy. Ultrasonographic features and prospective fetal urinalysis may help in predicting the overall prognosis of congenital LUTO. Currently, fetal vesicoamniotic shunt (of various designs), and fetal cystoscopy and fulguration of the obstruction are potential prenatal interventions. Retrospective and prospective cohort studies and a relatively small randomized controlled trial have demonstrated these treatments may possibly improve perinatal survival. Despite this, concerns remain as to the high rates of renal impairment observed in paediatric survivors. A clinical prospective scoring/staging system may improve prenatal diagnostic criteria and case selection for fetal therapy.
Topics: Female; Fetal Diseases; Fetal Therapies; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Pregnancy; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography, Prenatal; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction
PubMed: 30819578
DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2019.01.003