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Objective. The etiology of embryonic demise is multifactorial, with chromosomal abnormalities being the most common (40%). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the correlation between a serum biomarker, inhibine A, and an ultrasonographic parameter, the distance between yolk sac (YS) and embryo (DYSE), in assessing the prognosis of pregnancy evolutivity in the first trimester. Method. The study is a case-control prospective analysis that includes two groups of patients: 81 patients with first-trimester pregnancy in evolution, and 89 patients with embryonic demise, all of the patients having amenorrhea between 6 and 11 weeks. The endovaginal ultrasonographic exploration was performed to evaluate the distance between the lower pole of the embryo and the yolk sac. From each subject enrolled in the study, 20 ml of blood was collected for inhibin A dosing. Results. Regarding the DYSE in the case group, lower values were observed compared to the control group, the difference being statistically significant. In the statistical analysis of serum inhibin A values, statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups (p<0.05). Conclusions. DYSE has a high positive predictive value in identifying pregnancies with potentially reserved evolutivity, this study demonstrating that a DYSE<3 mm may lead to an unfavorable evolution of pregnancy. The low serum level of inhibine A is associated with an increased rate of non-viable embryos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spectacular evolution of the ultrasound equipment and techniques has allowed the assessment of the fetal heart increasingly earlier during the gestation, as well as the diagnosis of the fetal abnormalities in the first trimester of pregnancy. Transvaginal ultrasound and transabdominal ultrasound are used in early fetal echocardigraphy. Studies have shown that the heart defects diagnosed early in gestation are more complex and have a high degree of association with chromosomal abnormalities, compared to those diagnosed in the second trimester of pregnancy. There are many studies on the correlation between the increase in the nuchal translucency (NT) and congenital heart defects, NT being one of the most frequently studied and efficient screening parameters in maternal-fetal medicine. The morphology of the umbilical cord can be assessed in the first trimester of pregnancy by colour Doppler examination. Numerous anomalies associated with single umbilical artery are described. The principles of fetal echocardiography in the first trimester are similar to those of the morphological examination in the second trimester of pregnancy, with certain peculiarities and differences. The complete examination of the fetal heart, with minimal false results, can be done under the conditions of a trained and experienced examiner within the range of 12-13 gestational weeks. The examination route must be adapted to the particularities of the case. Early fetal echocardigraphy should be recommended only in the presence of a precise medical indication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The etiology of embryonic demise is multifactorial, with chromosomal abnormalities being the most common (60%). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the correlation between a serum biomarker, placental growth factor (PlGF), and an ultrasonographic parameter, the distance between yolk sac (YS) and embryo (DYSE), in assessing the prognosis of pregnancy evolutivity in the first trimester. Method. The study is a case-control prospective analysis that includes two groups of patients: 81 patients with first-trimester pregnancy in evolution, and 89 patients with embryonic demise, all of the patients having amenorrhea between 6 and 11 weeks. The endovaginal ultrasonographic exploration was performed to evaluate the distance between the lower pole of the embryo and the yolk sac. From each subject enrolled in the study, 20 ml of blood was collected for PlGF dosing. Results. Regarding the DYSE in the case group, lower values were observed compared to the control group, the difference being statistically significant. In the statistical analysis of serum PlGF values, statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups (p<0.0001). Conclusions. DYSE has a high positive predictive value in identifying pregnancies with potentially reserved evolutivity, this study demonstrating that a DYSE<3 mm may lead to an unfavorable evolution of pregnancy. The low serum level of PlGF is associated with an increased rate of nonviable embryos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vitelline duct is the structure that can be visualized early inside the gestational sac, allowing the ultrasound diagnosis of intrauterine pregnancy. Embryological aspects. The vitelline duct begins to form at approximately 14 days post-conception. In the fourth week of embryological development, the vitelline duct wall consists of three thin cell layers: the outer layer (the ectoderm); the inner layer, lined by the endodermal epithelium; the mesodermal layer, consisting of island blood formations where hematopoietic stem cells can be identified. Aspects of 2D ultrasound. The ultrasound aspect of the vitelline duct initially appears as two parallel lines. Subsequently, from 5.5 weeks it appears as a round, transonic structure, with a diameter of 3-5 mm. Certain ultrasound parameters of the vitelline duct can be described, which can be used to evaluate the evolutionary prognosis of the pregnancy: early visualization, dimensions, number, form, persistence of visualization in the second trimester, calcification. Aspects of 3D ultrasound. Performing the volumetry of the vitelline duct allows a more accurate estimation of the relationship between the vitelline duct and the volume of the gestational sac, as well as the correlation between the volume of the vitelline duct and the cranial- caudal length of the embryo. The VOCAL method allows a detailed evaluation of the external surface of the vitelline duct. Aspects of Doppler ultrasound. The vascularization of the vitelline duct is related to the intervillous circulation and plays an essential role in the early maternal-embryonic exchange. Under normal conditions, the velocimetry profile of the vitelline duct is characterized by: low velocity, absence of diastolic flow, the average IP value of 3.24. In a pregnancy with reserved evolutionary potential, the vascular flow is characterized by: irregular vascular flow, permanent diastolic flow, signs of venous blood flow. The combination of 2D, 3D and Doppler ultrasound allows the identification of important moments in the development of pregnancy, allowing at the same time the thoroughgoing study of physiological and physiopathological mechanisms, characteristic of the first trimester pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The incidence of embryonic demise is 25%. Complications of the first trimester pregnancy are a current health problem. The etiology of the embryonic demise is multifactorial, with chromosomal abnormalities being the most common (40%). In prenatal monitoring, it is desirable to increase the effectiveness of screening methods and improve diagnostic methods for first-trimester pregnancies whose outcome can be reserved. Materials and method. The paper is a prospective case-control analysis that took place at the "Dominic Stanca" Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Cluj-Napoca between 2015 and 2017, and comprised two groups of patients: 81 patients with first-trimester pregnany in evolution and 89 of patients with a potentially reserved outcome pregnancy, both groups having amenorrhea between 6 and 11 weeks. Endovaginal ultrasounds were performed to assess the distance between the yolk sac and the embryo (DYSE), and venous blood was harvested for serum dosing of the soluble vasculo-endothelial growth factor (sFlt-1). Results. Significant statistical differences were observed between the serum level of the serological follow-up observed in the two groups, respectively a significantly lower serum level in the reserved outcome pregnancies compared to the favorable ones (p<0.001). Conclusions. The identification of low serum levels of sFlt-1 followed in this study can be considered as a screening prediction test of potentially reserved outcome pregnancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]