Publications by authors named "Nicholas J Behrendt"

Article Synopsis
  • Micrognathia, a condition diagnosed prenatally, can be assessed using ultrasound and MRI, but congenital factors like fetal positioning can complicate accurate measurements.
  • This study aimed to analyze the consistency and accuracy of these imaging methods by comparing MRI measurements of the jaw's inferior facial angle and jaw index with postnatal outcomes.
  • Results showed that MRI, especially using posterior teeth buds for jaw index measurements, had greater consistency and predictive capability for potential treatment needs compared to ultrasound findings.
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Objectives: To describe and compare maternal and fetal comorbidities and obstetrical outcomes in pregnancies with hypoplastic left and right heart (HLHS and HRH) single ventricle cardiac defects (SVCD) from a single center under a multidisciplinary protocol.

Method: A single center retrospective review of fetal SVCD from 2013 to 2022. Maternal-fetal comorbidities, delivery, and postnatal outcomes were compared between HLHS and HRH using descriptive statistics and univariate and multivariate analyses.

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Although anhydramnios due to in utero renal failure has traditionally been considered lethal, in utero interventions offer the potential for pulmonary survival. As fetal interventions become more common, questions arise about how to identify and counsel eligible candidates.  In this report we describe the presentation and management of a 17-year-old pregnant female who presented from out-of-state with severe lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) with associated anhydramnios, focusing on the ethical questions that this case raised.

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Background: Survival for severe (observed to expected lung-head ratio (O:E LHR) < 25%) congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) remains a challenge (15-25%). Management strategies have focused on fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO) and/or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy (ECMO) utilization.

Objective(s): Describe single center outcomes for infants with severe CDH.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study evaluates the effectiveness of a nonopioid pain management technique using continuous local bupivacaine infusion in women undergoing fetal myelomeningocele repair compared to a control group that received standard opioid management.
  • Results showed that the treatment group had significantly lower total opioid use and a higher percentage of women who needed no opioids post-surgery, indicating a successful reduction in opioid consumption.
  • Despite lower opioid use, there were no significant differences in pain scores or other postoperative outcomes between the two groups, suggesting that the new technique does not compromise pain control.
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Objective: We reviewed our experience with open fetal surgical myelomeningocele repair to assess the efficacy of a new modification of the hysterotomy closure technique regarding hysterotomy complication rates at the time of cesarean delivery.

Methods: A modification of the standard hysterotomy closure was performed on all patients undergoing prenatal myelomeningocele repair. The closure consisted of an interrupted full-thickness #0 polydioxanone (PDS) retention suture as well as a running #0 PDS suture to re-approximate the myometrial edges, and the modification was a third imbricating layer resulting in serosal-to-serosal apposition.

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Intraperitoneal amniotic fluid leak is a known complication of fetoscopic procedures that usually resolves spontaneously with expectant management. Intraperitoneal amniotic fluid leak may persist after fetoscopic procedures due to a myometrial window as well as to persistent chorioamniotic membrane disruption, which may be amenable to surgical repair.

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The syncytiotrophoblast is a specialized epithelium derived from mononuclear cytotrophoblasts that fuse to form this extensive syncytium. Dysferlin is expressed primarily in the apical plasma membrane of the syncytiotrophoblast in the human placenta. Here, we document the presence of another member of the ferlin family, myoferlin, in the placenta and show that it too is expressed primarily in the syncytiotrophoblast.

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