Fetomaternal Doppler sonography for the prediction of perinatal outcome in term pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus: does it have potential?

Purpose: Little is known about the benefit and interpretation of fetomaternal Doppler sonography in GDM for the prediction of an adverse perinatal outcome (APO). The aim of this study was to examine the performance of fetomaternal Doppler for APO prediction in pregnancies with GDM at term.

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of singleton, non-anomalous fetuses of women with GDM, who primarily had a vaginal delivery attempt.

Value of cerebroplacental ratio in predicting adverse perinatal outcome in uncomplicated twin pregnancies: a retrospective study.

To evaluate the performance of the cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) in predicting operative delivery for intrapartum fetal compromise (OD for IFC) and adverse perinatal outcomes in uncomplicated twin pregnancies with attempted vaginal delivery.This was a retrospective cohort study of 72 twin pregnancies in a single tertiary referral center between January 2018 and August 2024. All MCDA and DCDA twin pregnancies with an attempted vaginal delivery after 34+0 weeks were screened for eligibility and those without further risk factors were included in the study.

Fetal cardiovascular function in a late-onset SGA and FGR cohort: CURIOSA study.

The measurement of fetal cardiovascular function parameters is not yet established in prenatal diagnostics. Now that the research field of fetal programming is becoming increasingly important, this might change. Fetal cardiovascular changes have been described above all in early/severe fetal growth restriction (FGR).

Significance of the sFlt-1/PlGF Ratio in Certain Cohorts - What Needs to be Considered?

The sFlt-1/PlGF ratio is an established tool in clinical practice, where it is part of a diagnostic algorithm and informs the prognosis of preeclampsia (PE). Maternal and gestational comorbidities can affect the performance of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio and its constituent elements, and a good understanding of the potential pitfalls is required. The objective of this paper was to provide a current narrative review of the literature on the diagnostic and predictive performance of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in specific patient cohorts.

The 'Radiant Effect': Recent Sonographic Image-Enhancing Technique and Its Impact on Nuchal Translucency Measurements.

: This study assesses the effects of the 'Radiant' image enhancement technique on fetal nuchal translucency (NT) measurements during first-trimester sonographic exams. : A retrospective analysis of 263 ultrasound images of first-trimester midsagittal sections was conducted. NT measurements were obtained using a semi-automatic tool.

The Outcome after Laser Therapy of Monochorionic Twin Pregnancies Complicated by Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome with Coexistent Selective Fetal Growth Restriction.

Most previous studies evaluated outcomes of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) without considering the coexistence of selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR). The objectives of this study were to compare twin survival and pregnancy complications after laser therapy of TTTS with and without sFGR. For this purpose, a retrospective cohort study including 98 monochorionic diamniotic twins and three dichorionic triamniotic triplets treated in a single tertiary center was conducted.

Role of Ductus Venosus Doppler Sonography for the Prediction of Perinatal Outcome in Term Pregnancies Complicated by Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

Purpose: Ductus venosus (DV) Doppler velocimetry reflects fetal cardiac function. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is assumed to impair cardiac function due to fetal hyperglycemia. The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of DV Doppler to predict an adverse perinatal outcome (APO) in term pregnancies with GDM.

Evaluation of right ventricular myocardial deformation properties in fetal hypoplastic left heart by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.

Purpose: Right ventricular (RV) function influences the outcome of hypoplastic left heart (HLH) patients. This study aimed to confirm the assumption of prenatal RV remodeling and possible influencing factors of myocardial restructuring using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D STE).

Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional cohort study including HLH fetuses and gestational age-matched controls.

Role of the cerebro-placental-uterine ratio in predicting adverse perinatal outcome in low-risk pregnancies at term.

Purpose: The cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) is associated with adverse perinatal outcome (APO) in low-risk pregnancies near term. A Doppler parameter, which also includes information from the uterine vessels could potentially improve detection of subclinical placental dysfunction. The aim of this study is to investigate the performance of cerebro-placental-uterine ratio (CPUR) related to APO prediction in low-risk term pregnancies in > 40 + 0 weeks.

New Markers for Placental Dysfunction at Term - Potential for More.

The remaining placental reserve capacity at term plays a decisive role in the perinatal morbidity of mother and child. Considering advances made in the field of fetal monitoring, the routine examination methods currently used at term or late term may be insufficient to detect subclinical placental dysfunction (PD). The aim of this study is to offer an up-to-date, narrative review of the literature in the context of detecting PD at term using complementary ultrasound markers and biomarkers.

Performance of sFlt-1/PIGF Ratio for the Prediction of Perinatal Outcome in Obese Pre-Eclamptic Women.

Obese women are at high risk of developing pre-eclampsia (PE). As an altered angiogenic profile is characteristic for PE, measurement of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1)/placental growth factor (PIGF) ratio in the maternal serum can be helpful for PE diagnosis, as well as for adverse perinatal outcome (APO) prediction. There is growing evidence that obesity might influence the level of sFlt-1/PIGF and, therefore, the aim of the study was the evaluation of sFlt-1/PIGF as an APO predictor in obese women with PE.

Cardiovascular outcome of former late-onset small-for-gestational-age children at 1 year of age: CURIOSA study.

Objective: Late-onset small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses usually show normal uterine artery Doppler and were long considered to have a good peri- and postnatal outcome. Recently, these fetuses were identified to have a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The aim of our study was to evaluate former SGA children concerning their cardiovascular risk and nutrition behavior at the age of 1 year.

Myocardial deformation analysis in late-onset small-for-gestational-age and growth-restricted fetuses using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography: a prospective cohort study.

Objectives: An association between fetal growth restriction (FGR) and increased predisposition to cardiovascular disease (CVD) is suggested. The aim of this study was to evaluate subclinical signs of fetal cardiac remodeling in late-onset small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and growth-restricted fetuses using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE).

Methods: This is a prospective cohort study, including 117 late-onset (≥32 weeks) SGA (birthweight≤10th centile) fetuses and 102 gestational age matched controls.

Prediction of Adverse Pregnancy Outcome Related to Placental Dysfunction Using the sFlt-1/PlGF Ratio: A Narrative Review.

The sFlt-1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1)/PlGF (placental growth factor) ratio is a helpful tool for the prediction and diagnosis of preeclampsia (PE). Current data even show that the ratio has the potential to predict adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO) caused by placental pathologies. The aim of this article is to give a brief overview of recent findings on APO predictions based on the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio.

Does gestational age at term play a role in the association between cerebroplacental ratio and operative delivery for intrapartum fetal compromise?

Introduction: To assess the impact of gestational age at term on the association between cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) and operative delivery for intrapartum fetal compromise (IFC) and prognostic performance of CPR to predict operative delivery for IFC.

Material And Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study including 2052 singleton pregnancies delivered between 37 and 41  weeks of gestation in a single tertiary referral center over an 8-year period. CPR was measured within 1 week of delivery.

Perinatal Outcome and its Prediction Using Longitudinal Feto-Maternal Doppler Follow-Up in Late Onset Small for Gestational Age Fetuses - A Prospective Cohort Study.

Purpose:  To describe the perinatal outcome of a prospective cohort of late-onset small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses and to test adverse perinatal outcome (APO) prediction using Doppler measurements.

Methods:  Singleton pregnancies from 32 weeks with suspicion of SGA (followed-up each 2 weeks) and randomly selected healthy controls at a university hospital were included. The whole SGA group was divided into the FGR subgroup or SGA percentile 3-10 subgroup.

Prognostic Value of Cerebroplacental Ratio in Appropriate-for-Gestational-Age Fetuses Before Induction of Labor in Late-Term Pregnancies.

Purpose:  To evaluate the relationship between cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) and the need for operative delivery due to intrapartum fetal compromise (IFC) and adverse perinatal outcome (APO) in appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) late-term pregnancies undergoing induction of labor. The predictive performance of CPR was also assessed.

Materials And Methods:  Retrospective study including singleton AGA pregnancies that underwent elective induction of labor between 41 + 0 and 41 + 6 weeks and were delivered before 42 + 0 weeks.

Prediction of adverse perinatal outcome and the mean time until delivery in twin pregnancies with suspected pre-eclampsia using sFlt-1/PIGF ratio.

Purpose: An elevated soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) / placental growth factor (PlGF) ratio is associated with adverse perinatal outcome (APO) and the mean time until delivery (MTUD) in singleton pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia (PE). Data on APO and MTUD prediction in twin pregnancies using sFlt-1/PlGF ratio are scarce. We evaluated the predictive value of the sFlt-1/PIGF ratio regarding APO and MTUD in twin pregnancies with suspected PE and/or HELLP syndrome.

Natural history of pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PAIVS) and critical pulmonary stenosis (CPS) and prediction of outcome.

Objectives: To analyse prenatal parameters predicting biventricular (BV) outcome in pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum/critical pulmonary stenosis (PAIVS/CPS).

Methods: We evaluated 82 foetuses from 01/08 to 10/18 in 3 centres in intervals 1 (< 24 weeks), 2 (24-30 weeks) and 3 (> 30 weeks).

Results: 61/82 (74.

Assessment of the maxilla-mandible-nasion angle in normal and aneuploid foetuses in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Purpose: This retrospective study aims to determine whether the maxilla-mandible-nasion (MMN) angle can be reliably measured in the first trimester, to describe normal ranges, and to determine if significant changes occur in foetuses with aneuploidies.

Methods: The MMN angle was measured in stored 2D-ultrasound images of 200 normal fetal profiles between 11 and 13 weeks of gestation. Each image was analyzed by two observers at two independent time points.

Role of sFlt-1/PIGF ratio and uterine Doppler in pregnancies with chronic kidney disease suspected with Pre-eclampsia or HELLP syndrome.

Purpose: Pregnancies of women with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at higher risk of experiencing adverse perinatal (APO) and maternal outcome (AMO). Mean uterine artery pulsatility index (mUtA-PI) as well as the ratio of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF) are helpful tools in diagnosing pre-eclampsia (PE) in women with CKD. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of sFlt-1/PIGF ratio and mUtA-PI as predictors for APO, AMO, preterm delivery and decline of kidney function in CKD pregnancies.

Gestational Diabetes: Physical Activity Before Pregnancy and Its Influence on the Cardiovascular System.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication in pregnancy, affecting around 14% of all pregnancies each year. It will likely further increase, as obesity becomes more prevalent. The impact of GDM on cardiovascular changes in pregnant women and her child is still unclear.

Atrial and Ventricular Deformation Analysis in Normal Fetal Hearts Using Two-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography.

Objective: Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE)-based strain values of the left and the right ventricle have been established; however, less is known about atrial deformation. The aim of our study was to assess both atrial strain and ventricular strain using 2D-STE in a cardiac 4-chamber view and to investigate the effect of possible influencing factors such as gestational age.

Methods: Fetal echocardiography was performed on a Toshiba Aplio 500 ultrasound system.