A case of fetal complete heart block recorded by magnetocardiography, ultrasonography and direct fetal electrocardiography

Fetal magnetocardiograms (FMCGs) were recorded in a case of fetal complete heart block (CHB) from the 30th to the 37th week of gestation using the multichannel SQUID system (Hitachi, Japan). M-mode ultrasonography and direct fetal electrocardiography using needle electrodes revealed fetal CHB. We identified independent fetal P-waves and QRS complexes in the FMCG recorded in the 32nd week of gestation when the fetal atriums were close to the FMCG sensor. We also recorded FMCG P-waves in the 37th week of gestation when the fetal heart was larger. Fetal heart position and size are important for obtaining a useful FMCG. To establish FMCG as a diagnostic tool of fetal arrhythmia, comparative studies with FECG are needed.     

Normal development of human fetal hematopoiesis between eight and seventeen weeks' gestation

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the hematologic compositions of fetal blood and liver and to phenotypically quantify the hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells during early human gestation. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty fetal blood samples and 50 fetal livers were collected at 10 to 17 weeks' gestation and 8 to 17 weeks' gestation, respectively. Investigations included fetal blood cell counts, determinations of red blood cell index values, and flow cytometric analyses of mononuclear cells. RESULTS: Fetal red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelet counts all increased with gestation, reflecting hematologic development. The proportion of normoblasts decreased dramatically with gestation. Individual mature red blood cells were larger and contained more hemoglobin during early gestation. Circulating and hepatic T lymphocytes increased in number shortly before the 13th week of gestation, which reflected thymic maturation. As a proportion fetal liver contained fewer T lymphocytes than did fetal blood (2.5% vs 18.6%; P =.003) but more CD34(+) hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (17.5% vs 4.3%; P =. 004). As a proportion, fetal liver contained more of the primitive CD34(+) and CD38(-) hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells than did fetal blood (32% vs 17%; P =.04). CONCLUSION: Both fetal blood and liver provide a rich source of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Fetal liver provides a richer source of more primitive hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells than does fetal blood. For stem cell transplantation we suggest that fetal livers be collected before the 13th week of gestation, because T lymphocytes are present in much greater numbers in the fetal liver after this stage of gestation. Further, we suggest that in utero stem cell transplantations in fetuses with normal immune development should be performed before the 13th week of gestation.     

脐血清皮质醇和硫化脱氢表雄酮在足月分娩时的作用

目的　探讨脐血清皮质醇和硫化脱氢表雄酮在足月分娩时的作用。方法　采用放射免疫法测定 10 0例足月分娩新生儿脐血清中皮质醇和硫化脱氢表雄酮的含量 ,其中A组 18例 ,为无阵痛、选择性剖宫产产妇 ;B组 10例 ,为潜伏期剖宫产产妇 ;C组 12例 ,为活跃期剖宫产产妇 ;D组 60例 ,为阴道分娩产妇。结果　 (1)新生儿脐血清皮质醇含量随孕周增加而增加 ,至 3 9周时脐血清皮质醇含量达峰值 ,为 (2 86± 5 0 ) μg/L ,42周时 ,皮质醇含量下降 ,接近孕 3 7周水平 (194± 70 ) μg/L ,血清硫化脱氢表雄酮含量变化与之相平行 ,两者呈正相关 [相关系数 (r) =0 .46,P <0 .0 5 ]。 (2 )A、B、C组随着产程进展 ,皮质醇含量增加 ,硫化脱氢表雄酮含量不增加。 (3 )D组新生儿脐血清皮质醇含量较其他 3组高 (P <0 .0 1)。硫化脱氢表雄酮含量变化无差异。结论　脐血清皮质醇和硫化脱氢表雄酮在分娩发动和加速中起着重要作用     

The Variability of Fetal Lie, Presentation and Position During "Normal" Pregnancy

Summary: The fetal lie, presentation, and position was recorded serially from the 16th week of gestation until delivery in 100 pregnant women.
The incidence of these characteristics varied with gestation and parity, with stabilization of fetal lie occurring at the 22nd week in nulliparous patients, and at the 30th week in parous patients; the frequency of longitudinal lie rose from 63% at 16 weeks of gestation to 99% at 32 weeks of gestation.
Only 1 persistent breech presentation and 1 persistent transverse lie occurred in the 100 patients. The predominant position in the cephalic presentations was left occipital with a significantly higher incidence in the nullipara.
Considerable variability of lie, presentation, and position occurred in serial examinations, and late spontaneous version from breech to vertex occurred in 4 multiparous patients.     

Fetal echocardiography using transvaginal and transabdominal probes during the first period of pregnancy: a comparative study

The authors compare the diagnostic possibilities of fetal transabdominal echocardiography versus transvaginal echocardiography. A larger diagnostic capacity is verified in different gestation ages with transvaginal probe between the 11th and 14th week of gestation. The results are emphasized by colour Doppler.     

Reliable test for prenatal prediction of fetal RhD type using maternal plasma from RhD negative women

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to establish a reliable test for prenatal prediction of fetal RhD type using maternal plasma from RhD negative women. This test is needed for future prenatal Rh prophylaxis. METHODS: A novel real-time PCR-based assay targeting RHD exon 7 combined with a published assay for RHD exon 10 were used to determine the fetal RHD status in DNA extracted from plasma, sampled from 56 pregnant RhD negative women in 15th-36th week of gestation. Thirty-eight samples were from ongoing pregnancies of Danish women and 21 samples from 18 pregnant women were stored anonymized samples from the International Blood Group Reference Laboratory, Bristol, United Kingdom. Prediction of fetal RhD type was compared with the serological result obtained after birth. RESULTS: The prediction of the fetal RhD type was in 100% concordance with the serological RhD type from the 16th week of gestation. One sample from the 15th week of gestation was inconclusive. The number of copies of fetal RHD DNA was found to increase with gestational age. Low levels of DNA were found to follow the Poisson distribution (p = 1.0000). CONCLUSION: Our set-up was very reliable for determination of fetal RhD genotype, and thus will be of value in prenatal Rh prophylaxis and in the management of immunized women.     

Sequential changes in plasma renin activity and aldosterone level during pregnancy.

Sequential changes in plasma renin activity (PRA) and the plasma aldosterone (PA) level were studied prospectively in 101 patients at Taipei Municipal Women and Children Hospital from the 20th week of gestation to the 4th week postpartum. Average maternal age was 31.8 years old and average fetal birth weight was 3,235 g. The PRA and PA levels during pregnancy were higher than those of the normal nonpregnant women. PRA decreased gradually from the 20th week of gestation and dropped markedly after delivery. The PA level increased after the 20th week of gestation and peaked at the 32nd gestational week, then returned to the nonpregnancy level after delivery. A dissociation between the PRA and PA levels after the 28th week of gestation was observed. Possible causes for this dissociation are discussed. This study provides reference data on PA and PRA levels during the course of a normal pregnancy for use in further studies on abnormal gestation.     

First trimester embryonic/fetal heart rate in normal pregnant women

Objective: To establish reference ranges for first trimester embryonic/fetal heart rate in normal pregnant women. Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional study. We performed ultrasonogram in 319 normal pregnant women, gestation age between 6⁺⁰ and 14⁺⁶ weeks and measured embryonic/fetal heart rates using M-mode. The embryonic/fetal heart rates were analyzed according to gestational ages (GA). Results: Data of 319 pregnancies were analyzed and the outcome revealed the mean of fetal heart rate according to gestational age. The mean embryonic heart rates during the 6th–7th week of gestation are lower when compared with the other gestational ages. At the 8th week of gestation, the embryonic heart rate is maximum. Then the embryonic/fetal heart rate gradually decreased to 161 beats/min at the 14th week of gestation. The regression equation for embryonic/fetal heart rate (beat/min) [y] according to GA (day) [x] was y = −53.124 + 6.1333x + (−0.0407)x ² (r ² = 0.525; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Embryonic/fetal heart rates during the 6⁺⁰ and 14⁺⁶ week of gestation are related to GA. Our reference ranges may be useful for further studies such as for prediction of adverse pregnancy outcome in threatened abortion.     

Analysis of birth weight and gestational age in Taiwan.

Appropriate interpretation of monitored fetal growth throughout pregnancy in individual patients and populations is dependent upon the availability of adequate standards. Previously published standards either were based on small samples, data decades old or were characteristic of foreign subpopulations. We have reviewed the data on a series of 46,575 singleton live births at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital from 1979 to 1989. The ratio of males to females was 1.08. The fetal growth pattern in the third trimester of pregnancy approximates a sigmoid curve. Fetal growth was most rapid from the 32nd to the 37th week of gestation with an average increase of 240 g per week. The birth weight declined beyond 42 weeks' gestation. There were significantly greater weight gains amongst male fetuses as compared to female fetuses from the 34th to the 42nd week of gestation. The mean birth weight recorded at 40 weeks' gestation in male and female newborns was 3,381 g and 3,262 g, respectively. Comparing the birth weight of term pregnancies using our data, with those of a previous, two-decade old report (1945-1967) by Chen, we found that birth weight were slightly higher in this study. The derived fetal growth curves are useful for clinical, public health, and investigational purposes.     

Genetic amniocentesis: 505 cases performed before the sixteenth week of gestation

Between May 1987 and November 1988, 505 early amniocentesis within the 15th week of gestation were performed at the First Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 'L. Mangiagalli' of the University of Milan and at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of 'Gaslini' hospital in Genoa. A total number of ten abnormal fetal karyotypes were diagnosed. In addition, one case of pseudomosaicism (not confirmed on fetal blood) and one case of osteogenesis imperfecta type II (observed at ultrasound examination) were also detected. Eleven pregnancies were therefore terminated because of an abnormal fetus. Out of 494 pregnancies (excluding terminated pregnancies) there were 16 fetal losses within the 28th week; ten of these occurred in the 2 weeks following the procedure. There were 475 live-births, of which 447 were term deliveries and the other 28 deliveries occurred before the 37th week of gestation.     

Intrauterine asphyxia and long-term outcome in preterm fetuses

The long-term outcome of 108 infants born before the 33rd week of gestation was evaluated and correlated to a fetal heart tracing from the last 24 hours before delivery. Infants with signs of asphyxia (N = 30) were born at the same gestational age as those without (N = 78), but had a significantly lower birth weight (P less than .001). Severe intraventricular hemorrhage occurred more often in infants with asphyxia (30%) than in those without (5%) (P less than .05). Fourteen of 30 asphyxia infants (47%) and 11 of 78 nonasphyxia infants (14%) died within the first two years (P less than .005). At two years of age, four (25%) asphyxia and eight (12%) nonasphyxia infants have developmental or neurologic abnormalities (not significant). Of the eight infants with asphyxia born before the 29th week of gestation in the present study, none was normal at two years of age. The authors conclude that signs of asphyxia, as determined from fetal heart rate pattern, were associated with poor fetal outcome, and especially in infants born before the 29th week of gestation. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.     

Successful termination of pregnancy complicated by fetal ascites--case report and review of the literature

This is a case of 25-year-old woman, primigravida, admitted to our department in 27th week of pregnancy complicated by fetal ascites revealed by ultrasound examination. The patient underwent diagnostic amniopunction and viral examinations in 20th week of pregnancy. The results from these studies were normal. This pregnant woman was qualified for fetal abdomen puncture, fluid evacuation and shunt applying between fetal abdomen and amniotic sac. Further outcome of pregnancy was uncomplicated. A live female child was born by caesarean section in 38th week of gestation. The shunt was removed after delivery. The woman and the baby were discharged in a good general condition.     

Blood flow velocity in the fetal abdominal aorta and in the umbilical artery in uncomplicated pregnancies.

The blood flow velocity waveform (BFWV) in fetal vessels depends on the stroke volume and the frequency of the fetal heart, the compliance of the vessel and the peripheral resistance of the fetal vascular bed. The objective of the present study was to establish the change of the BFVW throughout gestation and whether the change of the resistance indices are related to the peak flow velocity and/or the end-diastolic flow velocity. The BFVW of the fetal abdominal aorta and of the umbilical artery at 27th-30th week and at 37th-40th week of gestation were analysed in fifteen patients with uncomplicated pregnancies and subsequent normal outcome. The measurement was performed with a pulsed duplex scanner (Kranzbühler). The Doppler beam had a fixed angle of 50 degrees to the fetal vessel in all cases. The peak flow velocity in the fetal aorta remained constant from the 27th-30th week to the 37th-40th week of gestation: 1418 +/- 248 Hz vs. 1448 +/- 269 Hz. The end-diastolic flow, however, showed a significant increase during the respective periods: from 270 +/- 59 Hz to 325 +/- 69 Hz. The peak flow velocity in the umbilical artery was about 25% below that of the fetal aorta: 1028 +/- 149 Hz (27th-30th week) and 1106 +/- 196 Hz (37th-40th week). The end-diastolic flow, however, increased by about 41%: 292 +/- 86 Hz vs. 412 +/- 83 Hz demonstrating a tremendous change of the compliance and the peripheral resistance in the umbilical vascular system. These alterations are also exhibited by the resistance indices. The resistance indices S/D, PI and RI of both vessels were related to the EDF of the abdominal aorta and the umbilical artery at the respective gestational age. It demonstrated that the EDF is of major influence on the calculated resistance indices. The blood flow in the aorta and the umbilical artery was 135(+/- 18) ml/kg/min and 143 (+/- 21) ml/kg/min, respectively. In conclusion, the BFVW for fetal surveillance should be measured under a constant angle in the fetal abdominal aorta. It gives a good information concerning the peripheral resistance and compliance in the respective vascular areas. The EDFV has its lowest value at 200 Hz in the fetal aorta and in the umbilical artery under physiological conditions.     

Assessment of gestational age of Nigerian newborns using teeth calcification

The relationship between fetal teeth calcification and gestational age was evaluated in 54 Nigerian newborn chest radiographs. The first deciduous molar was found to calcify at the 33rd week of gestation and the second molar at the 36th week. The pattern of calcification of fetal teeth is no significant difference in teeth calcification between the sexes.     

Successful enucleation of a necrotizing fibroid causing oligohydramnios and fetal postural deformity in the 25th week of gestation. A case report.

BACKGROUND: In approximately 2% of pregnancies, uterine fibroids are detected. In 10% of diagnosed cases some complications are to be expected during pregnancy and/or delivery. CASE: A 32-year-old woman presented in the 25th week of gestation with a fibroid causing oligohydramnios and fetal postural deformity. A laparotomy and conservative myomectomy were performed with the hope of preserving the pregnancy. Ultrasound examinations performed postoperatively showed that the fetal postural deformity had ended and that the pace of fetal development had returned to normal. A healthy, male newborn weighing 3,600 g was born in the 40th week of gestation via cesarean section. CONCLUSION: The medical literature generally agrees upon conservative therapy; however, there are indications for laparotomy performed during the course of pregnancy complicated by a fibroid. In this case the fetal postural deformity, retardation in development and oligohydramnios, recognized preoperatively, provided indications for laparotomy. The success of the operation was established by postoperative sonography, which showed cessation of the fetal postural deformity and registered a normal volume of amniotic fluid.     

Total Proteins in Human Amniotic Fluid

Summary: The study of the biochemical constituents of amniotic fluid is essential in the diagnosis of fetal disorders which result in high concentrations of metabolites in the fetal serum, that can be detected by amniotic fluid examination. The present study is based on the estimations of total protein concentration in the amniotic fluid of normal pregnancies at different gestational weeks. The total protein concentrations, determined by the method of Lowry et al (1951), revealed a characteristic trend during different gestations, with a progressive rise from the 12th week till the 24th week, and then a gradual decline from the 30th week till the 40th week of gestation. Thus, in the third trimester, the total protein decreased with advancement of pregnancy, indicating an inverse relationship with gestational age.     

Amniotic Fluid β2 Microglobulin: Correlation with L/S Ratios and Creatinine Levels

Beta 2 microglobulin (beta 2 m) levels were measured in amniotic fluids taken after the 32nd week of gestation. Beta 2 m levels fell continuously from 5.2 microgram/ml at the 32nd week to 3.08 microgram/ml after the 39th week of gestation. Abnormally high levels of beta 2 m were found in 12.6% of samples. There was a significant correlation between beta 2 m levels and lecithin/sphingomyelin ratios at 32 weeks of gestation and with creatinine levels at 37-38 weeks (P less than .05). Although elevated beta 2 m levels may be associated with maternal and/or fetal abnormalities, the precise relationship is not clearly established: in particular, our data do not suggest that estimation of beta 2 m levels could be of value in determining fetal maturity.     

Fetal hydrops and anemia as signs of Down syndrome

Before the 20th week of gestation, the most common cause of nonimmune hydrops fetalis is chromosomal abnormalities. Herein, we report a case of fetal hydrops, anemia, and intrauterine growth retardation that presented at 27 weeks of gestation with a negative chromosomal abnormality screening. Cordocentesis and karyotype analysis revealed fetal pancytopenia and Down syndrome. Down syndrome rarely presents with fetal hydrops and anemia. Therefore, when hydrops and anemia are diagnosed, especially in the second trimester of gestation, the possibility of Down syndrome should be kept in mind. In addition, if the pregnancy results in a live birth, the baby should be examined for transient abnormal myelopoiesis.     

Quantitative alterations to resorption villi of normal human placentae in the course of gestation (author's transl)

A total of 45 placentae of different gestatory age were used to study, after clinically and anamnestically normal pregnancy and by a morphometric method, the quantitative behavior of individual parts of the placental barrier in the course of gestation. For this, hematoxylin-stained preparations and enzyme-incubated semi-thin sections were used. The increase in the percentage of fetal vascular surface with a simultaneous decrease in the relative percentage of villous surface (when determining the ratio of villous surface surrounded by maternal blood to the fetal vascular surface) up to the 28th week of gestation must be considered an expression of an increase in the capability of function. The simultaneous distinct decrease in the average number of Langhans cells and the reduction of their less differentiated forms in favor of those showing a higher degree of differentiation allow to make the conclusion that around the 28th week of gestation conditions in individual villi are, in general, similar to those prevailing in term placentae between the 37th and 41st weeks of gestation. The results obtained from the basis of quantitative studies of the placentae of premature infants and babies born at term after different gestatory risks.     

Prenatal diagnosis of haemoglobin disorders by cordocentesis at 12 weeks' gestation.

Prenatal diagnosis of haemoglobin disorders is accepted to be a useful procedure to avoid births of infants with homozygous diseases. Advances in sampling and molecular techniques, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and chorionic villus sampling (CVS), have made earlier and safer first-trimester prenatal diagnosis possible. However, these procedures need previous studies of at-risk couples, which can be very time-consuming when a number of different beta-thalassaemia mutations occur in the region. We describe the possibility of making a first-trimester prenatal diagnosis by cordocentesis and fetal blood analysis at the 12th week of gestation. We found no statistically significant difference (p greater than 0.05) between beta/gamma values in fetuses at the 12th and 18th weeks of gestation. In seven affected fetuses aborted at the 12th week of gestation, the diagnosis was confirmed in all cases by PCR analysis. These findings suggest that early cordocentesis could be an alternative procedure to CVS and PCR analysis.