Prenatal diagnosis of pyriform sinus fistula using ultrasonography by detecting the communication to the pharynx

ObjectivePyriform sinus fistula (PSF) is a congenital anomaly which originates from the pharyngeal pouch. PSF is initially recognized as a cyst around the fetal neck, but accurate prenatal diagnosis of the disease is challenging. We aimed to report the key findings and tips in accurately distinguishing PSF from other differential diagnosis by which enables detection of the communication of the nuchal cyst and the pharynx.Case reportWe report a case in which we were able to diagnose PSF as early as 18 weeks of gestation with ultrasonography. We used epiglottis as a landmark, and detected an unilobular cyst arising from the pharynx.ConclusionUltrasonography is a powerful tool in prenatal diagnosis of PSF especially at early stage of pregnancy. By detecting the epiglottis, it can locate the communication of the nuchal cyst and the pharynx, and thereby enables an accurate diagnosis of PSF.     

妊娠合并地中海贫血的产科管理

妊娠合并地中海贫血（thalassemia）是一种发生在妊娠期的单基因组遗传的溶血性疾病。由于血液中血红蛋白的组成比例失衡,妊娠合并地中海贫血患者血液系统发生了改变,可能会影响母体的心脏功能,增加血栓形成风险,损害免疫系统,使内分泌系统紊乱等。以往研究关注妊娠合并地中海贫血的流行病学及发病机制,缺乏对其所带来的并发症的妊娠期管理、遗传咨询及产前诊断的系统性阐述。从病变类型和发病机制入手,深度剖析地中海贫血在妊娠期的特有并发症及相应的处理方式,以期能取得更好的妊娠结局及围生儿结局。     

两个肢带型肌营养不良2D型家系SGCA基因遗传分析和产前诊断

目的对中国汉族肢带型肌营养不良2D(limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2D,LGMD2D)型的2个家系进行SGCA基因分析,明确病因并在此基础上为该家系中的胎儿进行产前诊断,提供遗传咨询与指导。方法回顾性收集2017年6月至2018年1月在郑州大学第一附属医院就诊的2个LGMD2D型家系,提取先证者和其父母的外周血,通过探针杂交技术对先证者LGMD相关21个基因编码区及其侧翼序列进行高通量测序,进一步采用Sanger测序和/或荧光定量聚合酶链反应对先证者父母目标基因区域进行检测,同时验证变异来源;明确先证者病因后,进一步对家系中胎儿进行产前诊断。结果家系1:先证者存在SGCA基因c.218C>G(p.P73R)和c.101G>A(p.R34H)复合杂合变异;产前诊断结果显示,胎儿与先证者一样同时遗传了父母双方的致病变异,胎儿父母选择终止妊娠。家系2:先证者携带SGCA基因c.218C>T(p.P73L)和该基因第7和第8外显子杂合缺失复合杂合变异,但胎儿不携带上述两变异,家属选择继续妊娠。胎儿足月分娩,随访至2岁,肌酶谱、体格、运动和智力发育均未见异常。结论SGCA基因复合杂合突变是2个LGMD2D型家系的致病原因,其中c.218C>G(p.P73R)、c.218C>T(p.P73L)为尚未报道的新突变。基于高通量测序可快速、准确地对该病进行基因诊断和产前诊断。     

Effects of single and combined exposure to lead and stress during pregnancy on offspring neurodevelopment

ObjectiveTo assess associations of single and combined exposures to lead and stress during different stages of pregnancy with offspring neurodevelopment.MethodsWe measured prenatal lead (maternal blood-lead in early-pregnancy and umbilical-cord-blood-lead) and maternal stress levels in Shanghai-Birth-Cohort from 2013 to 2016. Maternal stress was assessed using Center-for-Epidemiological-Studies-Depression-Scale and Self-Rating-Anxiety-Scale during mid-pregnancy. The Ages-Stages-Questionnaires-3 (at 6/12-months-of-age) and Bayley-III (at 24-months-of-age) were both used to assess neurodevelopment.ResultsA total of 2132 mother-child pairs with both prenatal lead and stress measurements were included. The geometric-means of blood-lead in early-pregnancy and cord-blood-lead were 1.46 μg/dL and 1.33 μg/dL, respectively. Among the study women, 1.89 % and 0.14 % were screened positive for depression and anxiety. Adjusting for related confounders, the combined exposures had stronger adverse associations with offspring social-emotional skills than single exposures; and the combined exposure in early-pregnancy was associated with greater neurodevelopmental differences than combined exposure around-birth, especially in social-emotion at 24 months-of-age [β (95 %CI): − 10.48(−17.42, −3.54) vs. − 5.95(−11.53, −0.36)].ConclusionsBoth single and combined prenatal exposures to lead/stress impaired infant neuro-development, and the effects of combined exposure may be more profound than single exposures. Combined exposure in early-pregnancy may be associated with worse neurodevelopmental outcomes than combined exposure around-birth, especially in social-emotional development.     

Intravenous ketogenic diet therapy for neonatal-onset pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency

BackgroundPyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHC) deficiency is an inborn error of metabolism that causes lactic acidosis and neurodevelopmental changes. Five causative genes have been identified: PDHA1, PDHB, DLAT, DLD, and PDHX. Four neurological phenotypes have been reported: neonatal encephalopathy with lactic acidosis, non-progressive infantile encephalopathy, Leigh syndrome, and relapsing ataxia. Of these, neonatal encephalopathy has the worst mortality and morbidity and there is no effective treatment.Subjects and methodsWe studied two girls who were clinically diagnosed with PDHC deficiency as neonates; they were subsequently found to have PDHA1 mutations. The clinical diagnosis was based on white matter loss and a lateral ventricular septum on fetal MRI, spasticity of the lower extremities, and lactic acidosis worsening after birth. Intravenous ketogenic diets were started within 24 h after birth. The ketogenic ratio was increased until the blood lactate level was controlled, while monitoring for side effects.ResultsIn both cases, the lactic acidosis improved immediately with no apparent side effects. Both children had better developmental outcomes than previously reported cases; neither exhibited epilepsy.ConclusionsIntravenous ketogenic diet therapy is a treatment option for neonatal-onset PDHC deficiency. Further studies are needed to optimize this therapy.