Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Serena Resta, Gaia Scandella, Ilenia Mappa, Maria Elena Pietrolucci, Pavjola Maqina, Giuseppe Rizzo
Summary: The number of pregnancies achieved through IVF is increasing globally, with improved chances of success due to technological advances. However, pregnancies conceived through IVF have a higher risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes, mainly related to hypertensive diseases, pre-eclampsia, and fetal growth restriction. Advances in ultrasound technology allow for the evaluation of placental volume and hemodynamics, with differences observed between fresh and frozen-thawed embryos.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Thananan Chongsomboonsuk, Nisarat Phithakwatchara, Katika Nawapun, Sommai Viboonchart, Suparat Jaingam, Tuangsit Wataganara
Summary: This study aimed to define reference ranges of cardiac and vascular Doppler indices in MCDA twin pregnancies. Significant changes in some Doppler indices throughout gestation in MCDA twins with quantitative differences from singletons were found. There was a negative correlation between myocardial performance index and early diastolic filling time of ductus venosus.
BMC PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH
(2021)
Article
Acoustics
E. Hwuang, P. H. Wu, A. Rodriguez-Soto, M. Langham, F. W. Wehrli, M. Vidorreta, B. Moon, K. Kochar, S. Parameshwaran, N. Koelper, M. D. Tisdall, J. A. Detre, W. Witschey, N. Schwartz
Summary: This study recruited 87 pregnant women with a singleton pregnancy to measure UtA hemodynamics using 4D flow MRI. The results showed that MRI blood flow rate and pulsatility index were associated with pregnancy outcomes. The potential of MRI-flow and MRI-PI in predicting pre-eclampsia and small-for-gestational-age neonates was highlighted.
ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Vaeochan Govender, Thinagrin D. Naidoo, Serantha Foolchand
Summary: The feasibility of using ductus venosus Doppler (DVD) to time delivery in early-onset fetal growth restriction (FGR) and pre-eclampsia was assessed in this study. The results showed that abnormal DVD was associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality, as well as increased risk of placental abruption.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GYNECOLOGY & OBSTETRICS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Stephanie Springer, Katharina Worda, Marie Franz, Eva Karner, Elisabeth Krampl-Bettelheim, Christof Worda
Summary: Early prediction of fetal growth restriction is important for treatment options and neonatal outcomes. This study assessed the association of parameters used in first-trimester screening and the development of fetal growth restriction. The findings showed that PAPP-A levels and uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index weresignificantly associated with fetal growth restriction.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xiang-Qun Hu, Rui Song, Chiranjib Dasgupta, Monica Romero, Rucha Juarez, Jenna Hanson, Arlin B. Blood, Sean M. Wilson, Lubo Zhang
Summary: This study demonstrates a novel mechanistic role for the miR-210-ISCU-mtROS axis in inhibiting Ca2+ sparks/STOCs in the maladaptation of uterine arteries and provides new insights into the understanding of mitochondrial perturbations in the pathogenesis of pregnancy complications resulted from hypoxia.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giorgia Sebastiani, Elisabet Navarro-Tapia, Laura Almeida-Toledano, Mariona Serra-Delgado, Anna Lucia Paltrinieri, Oscar Garcia-Algar, Vicente Andreu-Fernandez
Summary: Hypoxia and oxidative stress are crucial for fetal development during pregnancy, but an imbalance in oxidative molecules can lead to complications. Antioxidants may be a promising tool for treating these complications.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Yao-Lung Chang, Chin-Chieh Hsu, An-Shine Chao, Shuenn-Dyh Chang, Po-Jen Cheng, Wen-Fang Li
Summary: This study investigates the fetal growth pattern after fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (FLP) in twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and the effect of FLP on placental perfusion and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) incidence. The results suggest that FLP can decrease body weight discordance (BWD), improve the prognosis of TTTS, and reduce the incidence of IUGR in donor twins.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Qiaohong Coo, Cong Ma, Junbiao Zhu
Summary: This study explored the placental characteristics of monochorionic twin pregnancy with selective fetal growth restriction using ultrasound Doppler fetal heart rate detection algorithm. The results showed higher anastomoses and blood vessel diameters in the selective fetal growth restriction group. Uneven placental share and non-central attachment of the umbilical cord may be risk factors for selective fetal growth restriction.
PAKISTAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Alexa Malik, Sharon Fitzgerald Wolff, Mae-Lan Winchester, Marc Parrish, Angela Martin
Summary: This study found that in twin pregnancies, low or high discordant CPR at 20-24 weeks is not associated with an increased risk of fetal growth restriction (FGR) in the third trimester.
JOURNAL OF MATERNAL-FETAL & NEONATAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
D. Hayes-Ryan, S. Meaney, A. P. Fitzgerald, E. O'Mahony, C. Normile, L. C. Kenny, K. O'Donoghue
Summary: The study aimed to develop a specific reference range for PlGF in dichorionic twin pregnancies and found significant differences in PlGF levels between women who later developed pre-eclampsia and those who did not. This difference was observed many weeks before clinical signs of the disease appeared.
BJOG-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Linda Lindstroem, Marten Ageheim, Ove Axelsson, Laith Hussain-Alkhateeb, Alkistis Skalkidou, Anna-Karin Wikstroem, Eva Bergman
Summary: Fetal growth restriction is a significant risk factor for perinatal morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to create updated Swedish reference ranges for estimated fetal weight from gestational week 12-42, showing higher EFW for males than females and the ability to assess intrauterine fetal weight and growth, as well as early postnatal growth in preterm infants.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Acoustics
T. Van Mieghem, L. Lewi, F. Slaghekke, E. Lopriore, Y. Yinon, L. Raio, D. Baud, P. Dekoninck, N. Melamed, E. Huszti, L. Sun, S. Shinar
Summary: This study aimed to identify predictors of fetal death in monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies complicated by Type-III selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR). The results showed that earlier diagnosis, oligohydramnios in the smaller twin, deterioration in umbilical artery Doppler flow, and larger fetal weight discordance were associated with an increased risk of fetal death. The CART model identified three risk groups. These findings are of importance for improving pregnancy outcomes in this high-risk population.
ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Acoustics
A. O. Odibo, U. Kayisli, Y. Lu, O. Kayisli, F. Schatz, L. Odibo, H. Chen, R. Bronsteen, C. J. Lockwood
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of flow velocity waveforms in the spiral arteries (SA) and intravillous fetal arterioles (IVA) measured using superb microvascular imaging (SMI) technology for fetal growth restriction (FGR), gestational hypertension (GH), and/or pre-eclampsia (PE). The study found that in uncomplicated pregnancies, the SA-RI decreased progressively with advancing gestation, while the IVA-RI increased. In the third trimester, the mean SA-RI and IVA-RI values were significantly higher in the FGR group and PE group, respectively. SA-RI was significantly higher in pregnancies with adverse outcomes compared to uncomplicated pregnancies. The areas under the receiver-operating-characteristics curves (AUC) for SA-RI and IVA-RI in screening for FGR were moderate.
ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Miriam Duci, Erich Cosmi, Pierpaolo Zorzato, Ambrogio Pietro Londero, Giovanna Verlato, Eugenio Baraldi, Eugenio Ragazzi, Francesco Fascetti Leon, Silvia Visentin
Summary: This study investigated the predictive value of fetal ductus venosus doppler for NEC in fetal growth restriction fetuses and found that the Fenton z-score was the most predictive factor for NEC.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Acoustics
Carina Nina Vorisek, Lucy Bischofsberger, Andrii Kurkevych, Uygar Yueroekuer, Aline Wolter, Ulrich Gembruch, Christoph Berg, Helge Hudel, Josef Thul, Christian Jux, Hakan Akintuerk, Dietmar Schranz, Roland Axt-Fliedner
ULTRASCHALL IN DER MEDIZIN
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Ruth J. Falb, Amelie J. Mueller, Wolfram Klein, Mona Grimmel, Ute Grasshoff, Stephanie Spranger, Petra Stoebe, Darja Gauck, Alma Kuechler, Nicola Dikow, Eva M. C. Schwaibold, Christoph Schmidt, Luisa Averdunk, Rebecca Buchert, Tilman Heinrich, Natalia Prodan, Joohyun Park, Martin Kehrer, Marc Sturm, Olga Kelemen, Silke Hartmann, Denise Horn, Dirk Emmerich, Nina Hirt, Armin Neumann, Glen Kristiansen, Ulrich Gembruch, Susanne Haen, Reiner Siebert, Sabine Hentze, Markus Hoopmann, Stephan Ossowski, Stephan Waldmueller, Stefanie Beck-Woedl, Dieter Glaeser, Ismail Tekesin, Felix Distelmaier, Olaf Riess, Karl-Oliver Kagan, Andreas Dufke, Tobias B. Haack
Summary: This study identified multiple disease genes associated with fetal akinesia through clinical characterization and genetic sequencing. It also revealed the association between the KIF21A gene and severe neurogenic FA sequence with arthrogryposis and muscle development disorders.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS
(2023)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Michael R. Mallmann, Ulrich Gembruch
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive overview on the prenatal characteristics of common fetal genital malformations and a standardized approach for differential diagnosis in the presence of direct and indirect prenatal signs of DSDs, with a focus on female genital malformations and explanations on male DSD aspects.
ARCHIVES OF GYNECOLOGY AND OBSTETRICS
(2022)
Article
Acoustics
Paul Boeckenhoff, Astrid Hellmund, Ingo Gottschalk, Christoph Berg, Ulrike Herberg, Annegret Geipel, Ulrich Gembruch
Summary: This study retrospectively analyzed prenatal ultrasound results of 35 patients with double inlet ventricle (DIV) to evaluate the spectrum of associated cardiac anomalies, intrauterine course, and postnatal outcome. The majority of the patients required univentricular palliation after birth, but had a high survival rate and normal intellect with slight physical limitations.
ULTRASCHALL IN DER MEDIZIN
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Corinna Simonini, Brigitte Strizek, Annika Stroemer, Ulrich Gembruch, Annegret Geipel
Summary: This study is a retrospective analysis of pregnancies with prenatally diagnosed fetal urinoma in a single center over a 20-year period. The findings showed that lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) and ureteropelvic or ureterovesical junction obstruction (UPJO/UVJO) were the main causes of fetal urinoma. Postnatally, loss of function (LOF) in the affected kidney was more common in UPJO/UVJO cases than in LUTO cases. The prognosis for survivors with UPJO/UVJO urinoma is excellent if the contralateral kidney is normal, while the long-term prognosis for LUTO cases depends on postnatal renal and pulmonary function.
PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Philipp Kosian, Christian Jansen, Johannes Chang, Michael Praktiknjo, Tiyasha Hosne Ayub, Ulrich Gembruch, Waltraut M. Merz
Summary: This study evaluated the perinatal and maternal outcomes of high-risk pregnancies in a tertiary center. Complications were common, including ascites, subclavian thrombosis, variceal-ligation-induced ulcer bleeding, and postoperative hemorrhage. Cesarean delivery rate was high and there were high rates of preterm birth and neonatal intensive care unit admissions. Interdisciplinary care is crucial for successful outcomes.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Elena Jost, Philipp Kosian, Jorge Jimenez Cruz, Shadi Albarqouni, Ulrich Gembruch, Brigitte Strizek, Florian Recker
Summary: This study provides an overview of recent literature on the applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in obstetrics and gynecology ultrasound imaging. The review includes 189 articles published from 1994 to 2023, covering various AI-assisted ultrasound applications in obstetrics and gynecology. While most studies focus on common fields such as fetal biometry, there are still emerging and experimental areas that require further research.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Adeline Walter, Elina Calite, Annegret Geipel, Brigitte Strizek, Florian Recker, Ulrike Herberg, Christoph Berg, Ulrich Gembruch
Summary: This study retrospectively analyzed 21 cases of primary cardiomyopathy in fetuses over a 20-year period. The results showed that the average gestational age at diagnosis was 26.7 weeks, and 33.3% of the cases had associated anomalies. Genetic etiology was confirmed in 50.0% of the cases. The overall survival rate was 40%, with termination of pregnancy accounting for 20% and intrauterine mortality rate at 5%. Prenatal isolated right ventricular involvement was identified as a significant predictor of survival.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Nikolai Tschuertz, Patrick Kupczyk, Bernd Poetzsch, Ulrich Gembruch, Waltraut M. Merz
Summary: This study examined the evidence on non-hemorrhagic adrenal infarction (NHAI) and identified important questions in diagnosis and management by analyzing cases from the PubMed database and our own case series. A total of 92 publications were reviewed, including 15 cases of NHAI during pregnancy. Among the reported cases, severe abdominal pain requiring opioid analgesia was the main symptom, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Diagnosis was primarily established through MRI or CT scans. The findings highlight the importance of early detection and appropriate management for NHAI in pregnant women.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Philipp Kosian, Karl-Philipp Gloning, Ute Germer, Brigitte Strizek, Christoph Berg, Ulrich Gembruch, Annegret Geipel
Summary: This study evaluated the risk for procedure-related complications and fetal loss in correlation to maternal risk factors in the context of cordocentesis. The results demonstrate that cordocentesis is a safe way to further fetal diagnostics when performed by experienced operators, with a low risk of complications.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Pauline Siebers, Ulrich Gembruch, Waltraut Maria Merz, Florian Recker, Andreas Mueller, Brigitte Strizek, Annegret Geipel, Christoph Berg, Eva Christin Weber
Summary: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of anemia and intrauterine transfusion (IUT) on NT-proBNP concentrations in fetuses with anemia and establish gestational age-dependent reference values of a control group. NT-proBNP levels in non-anemic fetuses are higher than in postnatal life, decreasing with ongoing pregnancy. Anemia severity correlates with circulating NT-proBNP levels. Highest concentrations occur in fetuses with hydrops and with PVB19 infection, respectively. Treatment by IUT leads to a normalization of NT-proBNP concentrations, so the measurement of its levels may be useful in therapy monitoring.
ARCHIVES OF GYNECOLOGY AND OBSTETRICS
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
I. Gottschalk, A. Walter, T. Menzel, E. C. Weber, S. Wendt, N. Sreeram, U. Gembruch, C. Berg, J. S. Abel
Summary: This study retrospectively analyzed prenatal ultrasound and imaging data of fetuses with dextro-transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA) to identify reliable predictive markers for balloon atrial septostomy (BAS) in newborns. They found that a FO diameter < 7 mm, a fixed FO flap, and a hypermobile FO flap were highly significant markers for a restrictive FO. These markers could accurately predict the need for urgent BAS in fetuses with restrictive FO.
ARCHIVES OF GYNECOLOGY AND OBSTETRICS
(2023)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Carolin Schroeder, Elina Calite, Paul Boeckenhoff, Thomas Buettner, Johannes Stein, Ulrich Gembruch, Brigitte Strizek
Summary: Less than a dozen cases of psoas abscesses in pregnancy have been reported in the literature. We reviewed the literature and found ten case reports of psoas abscesses during pregnancy. The main treatment options for psoas abscesses include antibiotics and abscess drainage.
ARCHIVES OF GYNECOLOGY AND OBSTETRICS
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ute Schaefer-Graf, Katharina Laubner, Sandra Hummel, Ulrich Gembruch, Tanja Groten, Franz Kainer, Melita Grieshop, Dagmar Bancher-Todesca, Mila Cervar-Zivakovic, Irene Hoesli, Matthias Kaltheuner, Reinhold Gellner, Alexandra Kautzky-Willer, Christoph Buehrer
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Philipp Kosian, Astrid Hellmund, Annegret Geipel, Rainer Bald, Otilia-Maria Geist, Paul Bockenhoff, Jorge Jimenez-Cruz, Maria Deja, Brigitte Strizek, Christoph Berg, Ulrich Gembruch
Summary: This study evaluated the complications and perinatal outcomes of intrauterine transfusion (IUT) before or after 20 weeks of gestation in fetuses with severe anemia caused by intrauterine human parvovirus B19 infection. The results showed no significant difference in perinatal outcomes between fetuses transfused before or after 20 weeks of gestation. Hydrops, lower mean hemoglobin at first IUT, and low platelets were strongly associated with intrauterine fetal death (IUFD).
ARCHIVES OF GYNECOLOGY AND OBSTETRICS
(2023)
