产前超声诊断单脐动脉与胎儿异常的相关性研究

目的探讨超声检测胎儿脐带血管数目预测胎儿先天异常的价值。方法2000年1月至2006年10月在中山大学附属第一医院采用超声检测胎儿脐血管数目，对单脐动脉胎儿行产前超声系统筛查及胎儿染色体检查；分析单脐动脉合并畸形类型，与染色体异常的关系及胎儿结局。结果产前超声诊断胎儿单脐动脉119例，包括左侧72例（60．5％），右侧47例（39．5％）。单纯性单脐动脉59例（49.6％）；合并其他结构畸形60例（50．4％），其中泌尿系统畸形25例（41．7％），心血管系统畸形17例（28.3％），中枢神经系统畸形15例（25.0％），下肢畸形9例（15．0％），前腹壁和消化道畸形各5例（各占8．3％），唇裂或唇腭裂畸形3例（5．0％），其他畸形3例（5．0％）。行胎儿染色体检查41例，发现染色体异常8例，包括18-三体综合征3例、13-三体综合征1例、21．三体综合征1例、染色体片段异常3例，均合并其他畸形。结论胎儿单脐动脉左侧发生率高于右侧，约50％合并其他畸形；合并畸形时，染色体异常发生率较高；大部分单纯性单脐动脉胎儿结局良好。     

胎儿单脐动脉临床评估及预后

目的:了解单脐动脉胎儿的转归,围生结局及处理方式。方法:回顾我院近4年170例单脐动脉胎儿的临床资料(经超声、MRI、羊水或脐血染色体检查、引产胎儿尸体解剖结果等),随访出生后婴儿情况并进行临床评估及分析。结果:单脐动脉合并其他结构畸形的发生率为49.3%,合并一种畸形的发生率为15.9%,合并多种畸形发生率为33.3%;单脐动脉胎儿合并染色体异常发生率为18.4%;行MRI检查37例,与超声结果相符29例,8例与超声结果有差异,与超声符合率为78.4%。结论:超声检查易早期诊断单脐动脉,单脐动脉具有胎儿畸形的高风险性。单脐动脉合并其他结构畸形者建议行胎儿染色体检查。超声、染色体检查诊断未发现合并畸形的胎儿出生后仍有异常可能。单脐动脉不是剖宫产指征。     

产前超声诊断胎儿持续性右脐静脉及其合并畸形的临床价值

目的 探讨产前超声诊断胎儿持续性右脐静脉及其合并结构畸形的临床价值.方法 回顾性分析2007年4月至2011年8月在复旦大学附属妇产科医院产前检查的38 827例孕妇中,产前超声检出的109例持续性右脐静脉胎儿及其合并结构畸形情况.结果 胎儿持续性右脐静脉的发生率为0.28％(109/38 827),其中单胎100例,双胎9例.109例产前超声诊断的持续性右脐静脉胎儿中,未合并结构畸形者95例(单胎90例,双胎5例),孕妇均正常妊娠分娩,新生儿预后良好,其中有4例行染色体检查,结果均正常.合并结构畸形者14例,发生率为12.8％(14/109),其中合并心血管系统结构畸形者10例,占71.4％(10/14).胎儿合并的结构畸形大多比较严重,例如心内膜垫缺失、右心室双流出道、单心房和单心室等,9例(64.3％,9/14)引产终止妊娠.14例合并结构畸形者仅有1例行胎儿染色体检查,结果正常.结论 产前超声检查发现胎儿持续性右脐静脉后,应仔细检查胎儿各系统结构,了解有无合并结构畸形,尤其是心血管系统.     

37例单脐动脉胎儿的临床分析

正常情况下,脐带中有1条脐静脉及2条脐动脉,当脐带中只有1条动脉时称为单脐动脉.国内报道其发病率为0.59%[1],国外为0.63%[2],单脐动脉的发生被认为与胎儿畸形及染色体异常有关[3-4].我院2004年6月至2007年12月共产前诊断单脐动脉胎儿37例,通过对其妊娠结局的分析,旨在探讨单脐动脉胎儿与染色体及结构异常的关系,为产前咨询及分娩方式选择提供依据.     

单胎产前超声诊断单脐动脉352例临床分析

目的:探讨单胎产前超声诊断单脐动脉的妊娠结局,为产前咨询和临床处理提供依据。方法:对2012年5月至2018年4月住院并分娩的352例单胎产前超声诊断为单脐动脉的病例进行回顾性分析。结果:同期单胎妊娠83238例,单胎单脐动脉发生率为0.42%。352例单脐动脉中孤立性单脐动脉(iSUA)308例,占87.5%,其中27例行染色体检查,1例染色体异常(3.7%)。308例中活产296例,死胎10例,流产1例,引产1例。活产儿中合并胎儿畸形14例,畸形率为4.7%(14/296)。非孤立性单脐动脉(niSUA)44例,占12.5%,其中29例行染色体检查,7例染色体异常(24.1%)。44例中活产14例,死胎1例,流产1例,引产28例。44例中合并单一畸形25例,以中枢神经系统及骨骼系统畸形为最常见(各5例);合并多发畸形19例,以心血管畸形及肢体骨骼畸形最常见(各10例)。产后排除单脐动脉病例15例。5例妊娠晚期首次发现单脐动脉,产后病理检查提示脐血管栓塞。结论:iSUA多数结局良好,但产后应注意排查隐匿性畸形。niSUA结局不良,染色体异常风险明显增加,应积极进行产前诊断。对于妊娠晚期首发单脐动脉的病例,应高度警惕脐血管栓塞。     

单脐动脉对妊娠结局影响的临床研究

目的研究单脐动脉对妊娠期并发症及新生儿结局的影响。方法对171例本院分娩的单脐动脉病例进行回顾性分析,比较同期胎儿非单脐动脉孕妇(1 123例)及足月分娩的单脐动脉新生儿(84例)与同期分娩的非单脐动脉新生儿(336例)的母婴结局。结果单脐动脉孕妇并发双胎妊娠为8.2%(14/171),子痫前期为9.4%(16/171),合并子宫发育异常为9.4%(4/171),三者均较对照组高(P0.05);单脐动脉组新生儿出生体质量[(3 224±379)g]与对照组[(3 334±426)g]比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),但新生儿重症监护病房(NICU)转诊率(9.5%,8/84),新生儿窒息率(0,0/84),羊水污染率(9.5%,8/84)比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论胎儿单脐动脉孕妇并发症增加,尤其是子痫前期发生增加,新生儿出生体质量偏低,应加强监护。     

胎儿孤立性单脐动脉与染色体异常的关系研究

目的探讨孤立性单脐动脉(ISUA)与胎儿染色体异常的关系。方法回顾性分析2007年1月至2018年4月在中国医科大学附属盛京医院以单脐动脉为指征行染色体检查的321例孕妇,分析其染色体检查结果及临床预后。结果 321例单脐动脉病例中,204例为ISUA,其中染色体数目异常者4例,结构异常者4例,预后良好者166例(自然分娩89例,剖宫产77例),引产5例,新生儿死亡2例,失访31例。结论 ISUA的存在有增加胎儿染色体异常的风险,可根据患者具体情况决定产前诊断的必要性和方法。     

产前超声筛查胎儿唇裂和(或)腭裂及相关畸形

目的 评估产前超声对胎儿唇裂和(或)腭裂(简称唇腭裂)的检出率,以及合并的相关结构及染色体异常的发生情况. 方法 本研究为回顾性分析,纳入2006年1月至2010年12月在广州市妇女儿童医疗中心进行常规产前检查并分娩的单胎妊娠孕妇31 245例,于妊娠中期常规行胎儿超声筛查,发现唇腭裂的胎儿建议行染色体核型分析.所有活产新生儿及引产儿均进行口腔检查,以确诊唇腭裂,分析产前诊断的准确性. 结果 所有活产新生儿及引产儿共诊断唇腭裂48例,发生率为1.5‰(48/31 245),其中单纯唇裂占33.3％(16/48),唇裂合并腭裂占43.8％(21/48),单纯腭裂占22.9％(11/48).产前超声共发现18例单纯唇裂,其中14例与生后/引产后诊断完全相符,单纯唇裂产前超声诊断准确率为77.8％(14/18);3例分娩后发现新生儿同时合并腭裂,补充诊断为唇裂合并腭裂;1例产前超声诊断唇裂,因羊水过少引产,但引产儿无唇裂.产前超声检出18例唇裂合并腭裂,生后/引产后证实产前超声诊断均正确.2例胎儿产前超声检查正常,但新生儿检查发现单纯唇裂,均为Ⅰ度.产前超声未检出单纯腭裂,但新生儿生后诊断单纯腭裂11例.产前超声检出唇裂及唇裂合并腭裂的敏感性为86.5％(32/37),检出唇腭裂总的敏感性为66.7％(32/48),假阳性率为2.1％(1/48).产前超声诊断36例唇腭裂胎儿中10例(27.8％)合并其他结构畸形,与生后检查结果一致.产前检出18例唇裂合并腭裂胎儿中9例行染色体检查,其中 7例染色体异常.产前超声检出的36例唇腭裂胎儿中仅13例(12例单纯唇裂,1例唇裂合并腭裂)正常分娩,余23例孕妇均选择引产. 结论 产前超声筛查单纯唇裂及唇裂合并腭裂敏感性高,但难以检出单纯腭裂.单纯唇裂合并染色体异常概率低,而一旦合并腭裂,合并染色体异常及其他结构异常的风险增高.     

子痫前期合并胎儿生长受限的母儿妊娠结局分析

目的:探讨子痫前期(PE)合并胎儿宫内生长受限(FGR)的母儿结局。方法:选取591例PE孕妇,按新生儿出生体重分为小于胎龄儿组(SGA组,95例)和适于胎龄儿组(AGA组,496)。随访母体妊娠结局和新生儿结局。结果:与AGA组孕妇相比,SGA组孕妇的胎盘早剥发生率增加,因胎儿窘迫行剖宫产的比率增加(P0.05),新生儿病房收治率增加,住院时间延长,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);其他孕妇严重并发症包括重度高血压、肺水肿、肾功能异常和HELLP综合征发生率,以及孕期和产后降压药和硫酸镁使用比率均无显著变化,差异无统计学意义。结论:PE合并FGR未导致除胎盘早剥之外母体严重不良妊娠结局的增加,但新生儿不良预后增加。     

孕11～14周胎儿脐膨出与染色体核型异常的关系

目的:探讨孕11~14周超声检查发现胎儿脐膨出与胎儿染色体核型异常的关系。方法:回顾性分析2010年1月至2012年12月在四川大学华西第二医院就诊的单胎孕妇于11~14孕周超声筛查发现胎儿脐膨出相关资料,分析孤立性胎儿脐膨出及胎儿脐膨出合并其他异常的患者染色体核型异常情况及妊娠结局。结果:超声检查发现并获得相关资料31例。孤立性胎儿脐膨出5例,合并胎儿其他异常26例(其中合并胎儿NT增厚16例,合并胎儿其他结构异常10例)。胎儿脐膨出合并NT增厚组染色体异常发生率为87.5%(14/16),活产1例,宫内死亡3例,余终止妊娠;胎儿脐膨出合并其他结构异常组染色体异常发生率为80.0%(8/10),终止妊娠7例,宫内死亡3例;孤立性脐膨出组4例染色体均正常,1例未查,其中活产3例,终止妊娠2例。胎儿脐膨出合并NT增厚及合并其他结构异常的染色体异常发生率高于孤立性脐膨出(P=0.023)。结论:孕11~14周超声筛查发现胎儿脐膨出合并NT增厚或其他结构异常时,染色体异常发生风险高,能否作为独立筛查染色体异常指标有待进一步研究。     

Single umbilical artery is associated with an increased incidence of structural and chromosomal anomalies and growth restriction

The objective to characterize neonatal outcome associated with ultrasonographic identification of a single umbilical artery. Pregnancies diagnosed with single umbilical artery antenatally were identified. All prenatal/antenatal and pediatric records were reviewed for maternal demographics, associated anomalies, karyotypic analysis, pregnancy complications, and neonatal outcome. Twenty-seven pregnancies complicated by fetal single umbilical artery were identified. Of the 27 pregnancies, 5 (18.5%) underwent pregnancy termination and 1 (3.7%) experienced fetal demise. Of the 21 liveborn infants, 4 (19%) died within the first year of life. Sixty-seven percent of fetuses had an associated structural anomaly. Sixteen of the 27 pregnancies underwent amniocentesis and 7 of these were chromosomally abnormal. All of the karyotypically abnormal fetuses had a structural defect in addition to the single umbilical artery. Of the six fetuses without any associated structural or chromosomal anomalies, three (50%) demonstrated growth restriction. Single umbilical artery is relatively rare finding. When a single umbilical artery is identified, a vigilant search for associated anomalies should be undertaken. Pregnancies identified as having fetuses with associated structural anomalies should be offered amniocentesis. Pregnancies with isolated single umbilical artery should be carefully monitored for evidence of fetal growth restriction.     

''Isolated'' single umbilical artery: incidence, cytogenetic abnormalities, malformation and perinatal outcome

AIM: The aim of the study was to 1) evaluate the gestational age at diagnosis and the incidence of single umbilical artery in an unselected population of 3750 pregnant women; 2) identify its association with malformations and/or karyotype aberrations in pre/postnatal age; 3) evaluate the fetal-neonatal outcome; 4) investigate the likelihood that a fetus might be affected by a cytogenetic abnormality even in presence of an apparently 'isolated' single umbilical artery. METHODS: Transabdominal ultrasound of the umbilical vessels and histological confirmation at birth. In presence of single umbilical artery an accurate prenatal ultrasound assessment, karyotyping (pre/postnatal), and clinical follow-up after birth were performed. RESULTS: The incidence of single umbilical artery in our population resulted 1.07% (40/3750), being 'isolated' in 40% of cases. The diagnosis of chromosomal aberration associated with single umbilical artery was made in 6 cases (15%), while structural fetal abnormalities in absence of causal chromosomal anomalies were present in 9 cases (22.5%), with syndromic patterns in 3 of them. In 2 cases with chromosomal anomalies the single umbilical artery was apparently 'isolated' at the ultrasound examination between the 17th and the 22nd week of gestation. Excluding 4 terminations of pregnancy, the perinatal mortality percentage resulted 25% (9/36); similarly, fetal growth retardation was present in 25% of cases (9/36). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of single umbilical artery in our population confirms that this fetal vascular anomaly is frequently identified in pregnancy. In the light of our cases and data in the literature it is evident that diligent surveillance in prenatal age and accurate clinical follow-up after birth are mandatory when a single umbilical artery has been diagnosed. Finally, the possibility, even if rare, that even when the single umbilical artery is apparently 'isolated', a chromosomal aberration might be present (1/24 of our 'isolated' cases) should be considered when addressing correct counselling to the couples.     

双胎妊娠中结构异常胎儿染色体核型异常的临床特征

目的：探讨双胎妊娠中结构异常胎儿的染色体核型异常的临床特征。方法2000年1月-2010年9月,中山大学附属第一医院就诊的双胎妊娠孕妇181例（共362个胎儿）,对其中介入性产前诊断的308个胎儿按不同因素分组如下。(1)按孕妇年龄分组：≥35岁孕妇（105个胎儿）为高龄孕妇组;＜35岁孕妇（203个胎儿）为适龄孕妇组。(2)按受孕方式分组：辅助生育孕妇（81个胎儿）为辅助生育组,自然受孕（227个胎儿）为自然受孕组。(3)按绒毛膜性质分组：单绒毛膜双胎（MCT,123个胎儿）为MCT组,双绒毛膜双胎（DCT,185个胎儿）为DCT组。(4)按结构异常分组：205个结构异常胎儿为异常胎儿组,103个正常胎儿为正常胎儿组。对362个胎儿进行超声检查并对其中的308个双胎胎儿行染色体核型分析。结果(1)胎儿染色体核型分析结果：181例双胎孕妇中检出胎儿核型异常23例(12.7％,23/181),核型异常的23例双胎孕妇中,20例检查了两个胎儿的核型。308个胎儿中检出异常核型的胎儿26个(8.4％,26/308),以非整倍体最多见,占异常核型的53.8％ (14/26)。205个异常胎儿中21个有染色体核型异常(10.2％,21/205);103个正常胎儿中5个有染色体异常(4.9％,5/103),两者比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05)。(2)MCT组和DCT组胎儿染色体核型异常发生率比较：MCT组123个胎儿中7个有染色体异常,发生率为5.7％ (7/123);DCT组185个胎儿中19个有染色体异常,发生率为10.3％( 19/185),两组胎儿的染色体异常发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05)。在染色体异常类别中,DCT组有14个胎儿为非整倍体异常,非整倍体率为7.6％(14/185),而MCT组无一例发生,两组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05)。DCT组中,两例双胎中因l胎死亡仅检查有结构异常的另一个活胎,分别为21三体和18三体;其余17例均分别检查了两个胎儿,两个胎儿的染色体核型不相同。DCT组19个核型异常的胎儿中,15个胎儿超声检查提示为结构异常(15/19)。MCT组中,4例双胎中有7个胎儿检出染色体异常。(3)高龄孕妇组和适龄孕妇组胎儿染色体异常发生率比较：高龄孕妇组胎儿的染色体异常发生率为7.6％(8/105),适龄孕妇组为8.9％( 18/203),两组比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);在染色体异常类别中,高龄孕妇组6个胎儿为非整倍体异常(5.7％,6/105),适龄孕妇组仅8个胎儿(3.9％,8/203),高龄孕妇组胎儿的非整倍体率显著高于适龄孕妇组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05)。(4)辅助生育组和自然受孕组胎儿染色体异常发生率比较：辅助生育组81个胎儿中有l1个染色体异常(13.6％,11/81),自然受孕组227个胎儿中有15个染色体异常(6.6％,15/227),差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05)。在染色体异常类别中,辅助生育组7个胎儿为非整倍体异常(8.6％,7/81),自然受孕组也为7个胎儿(3.1％,7/227),差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05)。(5)异常胎儿组和正常胎儿组染色体异常发生率比较：异常胎儿组205个胎儿中有21个染色体异常(l0.2％,21/205),正常胎儿组103个胎儿中有5个染色体异常(4.9％,5/103),两组比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);在染色体异常类别中,异常胎儿组13个胎儿为非整倍体异常(6.3％,13/205),正常胎儿组仅1个胎儿(1.0％,1/103),两组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05)。结论非整倍体是双胎合并胎儿结构异常时最常出现的染色体异常,以21三体最为常见。双胎之间的核型不一致和双胎之一出现非整倍体的情况常见于DCT,而MCT时两个胎儿核型往往一致,但两个胎儿发生相同的染色体异常可能出现不同的表型;双胎之一合并胎儿结构异常时,建议分别对两个胎儿同时行染色体核型分析。     

Perinatal outcome following fetal single umbilical artery diagnosis

OBJECTIVE: We report the frequency of associated congenital abnormalities in fetuses with a single umbilical artery as well as the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of ultrasound for detecting these abnormalities. We also report the pregnancy outcome of fetuses complicated by single umbilical artery, both isolated and with other congenital anomalies. METHODS: All pregnancies complicated by fetal single umbilical artery from 1995 to 1999 were identified. A retrospective chart review was performed on both the prenatal records and the ultrasound records of these pregnancies, determining the nature and incidence of other congenital abnormalities. Delivery data were collected to include gestational age at delivery, Apgar score, birth weight, mode of delivery, fetal gender and any complications. RESULTS: Ninety-two pregnancies were identified with a fetal single umbilical artery, of which outcome data were available for 65. Forty-eight (74%) cases were identified as isolated single umbilical artery. Seventeen (26%) cases had other congenital abnormalities. High-resolution ultrasound had 100% sensitivity and specificity for identifying single umbilical artery and an 85% sensitivity and 98% specificity for detecting other congenital abnormalities. Compared to isolated single umbilical artery, pregnancies complicated by single umbilical artery with other abnormalities had a statistically significantly increased rate of fetal aneuploidy, lower birth weight, preterm delivery and Cesarean delivery. CONCLUSION: Pregnancies complicated by fetal single umbilical artery, especially when associated with other congenital abnormalities, are at increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcome.     

Single umbilical artery: prenatal findings

In 450 patients with pregnancy at high risk for fetal malformation and/or intrauterine growth retardation, the umbilical cord was investigated sonographically for the presence of a single umbilical artery. A single umbilical artery was diagnosed in four fetuses between 23 and 33 weeks of gestation and suspected in two. Three cases were overlooked at sonography. All seven surviving fetuses had growth retardation at delivery and four also showed severe malformations. Whenever a single umbilical artery is found at sonography, further work-up is required to rule out associated anomalies, intrauterine growth retardation, or chromosomal abnormality.     

Omphalocele and gastroschisis: prenatal diagnosis and peripartal management. A case analysis of the years 1989-1997 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Homburg/Saar

OBJECTIVE: The article presents a retrospective analysis (1989-1997) of the prenatal diagnosis, the course and completion of pregnancy of 26 fetuses with omphalocele and 18 fetuses with gastroschisis. SUBJECTS: 44 pregnancies with anterior fetal wall defect diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound, clinical or patho-anatomic examination between 1989 and 1997 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Homburg/Saar. RESULTS: In 40 of 44 pregnancies (91%) the fetal ventral abdominal wall defect could be detected antenatally with ultrasound. Associated malformations in fetuses with omphalocele were seen in 18 cases (69%), whereas only five fetuses with gastroschisis (28%) had an associated malformation. Nineteen of 26 fetuses (73%) with omphalocele had a normal karyotype. Seven of 26 fetuses (27%) with omphalocele had an abnormal karyotype. Eleven fetuses with omphalocele were live born, three of them with minor anomalies. Ten babies with omphalocele survived. No chromosomal anomalies were detected in fetuses with gastroschisis. There were four gastrointestinal malformations and one lethal associated malformation in fetuses with gastroschisis. There were 15 live born babies with gastroschisis, all of whom have survived. In 20 of 44 cases (45%) with ventral abdominal wall defect oligohydramnios could be detected by ultrasound. In 28 of 44 cases (64%) we found fetal growth retardation <10th percentile for gestational age. CONCLUSION: In case of a fetal ventral abdominal wall defect, the detection and appropriate classification of associated fetal anomalies is of great importance for the further course of pregnancy. Fetal karyotyping should be offered in case of a fetal abdominal wall defect. Early and close prenatal consultation of the neonatologist and the pediatric surgeon will favorably influence the perinatal outcome.     

Long-term outcome in twin-twin transfusion syndrome treated with serial aggressive amnioreduction

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine long-term outcomes among pregnancies complicated by twin-twin transfusion syndrome and treated in a tertiary center with serial aggressive amnioreduction. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-three pregnancies with a diagnosis of twin-twin transfusion syndrome were treated with > or =1 amnioreduction. The perinatal outcome was assessed according to 15 parameters, whereas the main outcome at age > or =2 years was the absence of cerebral palsy. RESULTS: Gestational age at diagnosis ranged from 14.5 to 33 weeks' gestation (median, 20.6 weeks' gestation), whereas gestational age at delivery was between 18.5 and 37 weeks' gestation (median, 30.5 weeks' gestation). The number of amnioreductions per pregnancy ranged from 1 to 15 (median, 2). At initial examination hydrops of the recipient and absence of the end-diastolic velocity of the umbilical artery in one of the twins were associated with poor prognosis. Fifty-one (77%) twins were born alive. At 24 months after birth both infants from 57% of the pregnancies (19/33) were alive, whereas at least one infant from 70% of the pregnancies (23/33) was alive. Thirty-three infants (78% of the survivors) were older than 36 months at last follow-up. Cerebral palsy was diagnosed in 2 of 42 infants (4.7%). One of the affected infants was born after the fetal death of the cotwin; the other infant was born with congenital cardiac malformations. CONCLUSIONS: In the group of fetuses in which both twins were delivered alive after 27 weeks' gestation without congenital malformations and survived the neonatal period, no major neurologic handicaps developed in any of the infants. At initial examination both hydrops of the recipient and absence of end-diastolic flow velocity waveforms of the umbilical artery in one of the twins were poor prognostic signs.     

Single umbilical artery and its siding in the second trimester of pregnancy: relation to chromosomal defects

OBJECTIVES: To determine the possible association between single umbilical artery (SUA) in the second trimester of pregnancy and the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities. To determine whether the presence of chromosomal defects in fetuses with SUA is related to the side of the missing artery. METHODS: Color flow imaging of the fetal pelvis was used to determine the number of umbilical arteries in 2147 fetuses immediately before amniocentesis for karyotyping in the second trimester of pregnancy. RESULTS: SUA was diagnosed in 102/2147 (4.8%) cases. The left umbilical artery was absent in 60/102 (58.8%) fetuses, compared with the 42/102 (41.2%) for the right artery. The rate of chromosome abnormalities was significantly higher among fetuses with SUA than among those with 2 umbilical arteries (19/102 or 18.6% versus 109/2045 or 5.3%; OR = 4.1, 95% CI 2.3-7.1, p < 0.0001). Among fetuses with SUA, there was no significant difference in the rate of chromosome abnormalities between those with absence of the left versus the right artery (11/60 or 18.3% versus 8/42 or 19.0%, p = 0.93). There was an SUA in 5/39 (12.8%) cases with trisomy 21, 8/16 (50%) with trisomy 18, 1/4 (25%) with trisomy 13 and 5/69 (7.2%) with other chromosomal defects. There were no chromosome abnormalities in fetuses where a single umbilical artery was an isolated sonographic finding. All fetuses with SUA and chromosomal defects had associated abnormalities detected by ultrasound. CONCLUSION: A single umbilical artery (SUA) in the second trimester of pregnancy has a high association with trisomy 18, 13, 21 and other chromosomal defects, but all chromosomally abnormal fetuses had associated malformations detected by ultrasound. The absence of the left artery is more frequent than the absence of the right artery. The association with chromosomal abnormalities seems to be equal on each side.     

Fetal superior mesenteric artery blood flow velocimetry in normal and high-risk pregnancy

THE AIM: To record blood flow velocimetry in the fetal superior mesenteric artery in normal pregnancy and to evaluate if blood flow recordings in the vessel might predict adverse outcome in high-risk pregnancy. METHODS: The fetal superior mesenteric artery blood velocimetry was recorded in a cross sectional manner in 75 normal pregnancies between 27 and 41 weeks of gestation. Reference curves were performed for pulsatility and resistance indices. The superior mesenteric artery was also located in 48 singleton pregnancies complicated by pregnancy-induced hypertension and/or intra-uterine growth retardation. Middle cerebral artery, umbilical artery and vein and uterine artery velocimetry were also recorded. RESULTS: Superior mesenteric artery PI and RI values expressed an increase in resistance to blood flow with gestational age after 32 weeks of gestation. In all except eight high-risk pregnancies the fetal mesenteric artery PI values were within normal range. Among the pregnancies with absent or reversed blood flow in the umbilical artery, all had abnormal mesenteric artery pulsatility index (PI) (> 97.5th percentiles), one fetus died intrauterine and two others died after delivery due to prematurity, growth retardation and necrotizing enterocolitis. In the remaining fetuses with increased mesenteric artery PI, necrotizing enterocolitis was diagnosed in three cases. CONCLUSIONS: Increased vascular resistance in the mesenteric artery might be a late sign of fetal circulation redistribution and frequently related to necrotizing enterocolitis in the newborn.