Vasa Previa: Prenatal Diagnosis and the Rationale Behind Using a 5 cm Distance from Internal Os.

In pregnancies with vasa previa, prenatal diagnosis and pre-labor cesarean delivery are associated with significantly improved perinatal outcomes compared to undetected cases. However, a universally accepted ultrasonographic definition of vasa previa is lacking. Specifically, the distance from the cervical internal os beyond which vaginal delivery can be safely recommended remains to be determined.

Changes in rate-pressure product associated with pregnancy.

Background: In nonpregnant individuals, the rate-pressure product, the product of heart rate and systolic blood pressure, is used as a noninvasive surrogate of myocardial O consumption during cardiac stress testing. Pregnancy is considered a physiological cardiovascular stress test. Evidence describing the impact of pregnancy on myocardial O demand, as assessed by the rate-pressure product, is limited.

Strongyloides stercoralis Hyperinfection Syndrome in Pregnancy.

Strongyloidiasis is a parasitic infection with a high global burden of disease. Hyperinfection syndrome is a life-threatening complication that predominantly affects immunosuppressed individuals, such as those receiving corticosteroid treatment. Despite its worldwide prevalence, little is known about the clinical effects of this condition on the feto-maternal dyad during pregnancy.

Report of an Experiment With a Fetal Ex-Utero Support System in Piglets.

Extreme prematurity remains one of the leading causes of neonatal death. An ex-utero treatment strategy that allows the fetus to develop beyond this period until capable of tolerating the transition to post-natal physiology would significantly impact the quality of care offered for this pre-viable patient population. In this study, we report our experience with an ex-utero support system for fetal pigs with the goal of support and survival for eight hours.

Giant Placental Chorangioma and Severe Ductal Arch Constriction: A Case Report With a Favorable Outcome.

Giant chorangiomas are uncommon yet frequently associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. A 37-year-old female was referred due to findings of a placental mass during a second-trimester ultrasound. A fetal survey at 26 weeks revealed a 69×97×75 mm heterogenous placental tumor with two prominent feeding vessels.

Third trimester uterine artery Doppler for prediction of adverse perinatal outcomes.

Purpose Of Review: Abnormal uterine artery Doppler (UtAD) studies early in gestation have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, their association with complications in the third trimester is weak. We aim to review the prediction ability for perinatal complications of these indices in the third trimester.

Neonatal blood pressure before and after delayed umbilical cord clamping.

Objective: To describe values of blood pressure (BP) before and after delayed cord clamping (DCC) in healthy term neonates born to low risk pregnancies, examine differences in the temporal patterns of BP during this transition, and assess potential correlation of these parameters with maternal and perinatal clinical and demographic variables.

Methods: Prospective observational study of term infants eligible for DCC born vaginally from uncomplicated pregnancies. Neonatal BP was estimated noninvasively before DCC, at 30 min and 24 h of life.

Doppler evaluation of the fetal pulmonary artery pressure.

Background The Doppler effect has allowed the characterization of several vessels in maternal-fetal circulation that have been used for practical purposes. Our review of the literature showed a paucity of information about fetal pulmonary artery pressure (FMPAP) and its behavior in regard to gestational age (GA). The objectives of the study were to evaluate a formula to calculate the main FMPAP and its correlation with GA.