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Objective: To describe perinatal data and to evaluate the neonatal neurological outcome of monochorionic twin pregnancies with selective termination by radiofrequency ablation., Methods: Retrospective data of perinatal data for nine consecutive monochorionic pregnancies eligible for radiofrequency ablation from January 2013 to August 2015 were collected. A prospective observational study of the neurological outcome of nine children was conducted using the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), 2nd edition, French version, adapted to the age., Results: The radiofrequency procedures were performed at a mean gestational age (GA) of 21.4 weeks (±7 weeks). The indications for a selective interruption of a pregnancy were: acardiac twin (n=4), brain malformation (n=1), severe intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) with massive cerebral ischemia in the context of twin-twin transfusion syndrome grade III (n=1), severe selective IUGR associated with a polymalformative syndrome (n=1) and severe selective IUGR (n=2). The mean GA at birth was 36.7 weeks GA (±3.8 weeks). No infant showed neurological neonatal morbidity. Any ASQ area explored was pathological (<-2SD) for the nine children (mean age at follow-up [±SD], 14.8 months [±8.8 months])., Conclusion: This work constitutes a preliminary study for developing long-term follow-up and early care programs for those children born subsequent to a radiofrequency ablation for selective reduction., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: After prenatal diagnosis of lethal fetal abnormality (LFA), some couples choose to continue the pregnancy rather than opt for termination of the pregnancy. This may result in the requirement for neonatal palliative care, which in France is prescribed by the Leonetti Law. These rare situations raise various questions about when and how palliative care is provided in cases of LFA., Objective: The main goal of the study was to clarify the place given to the concept of perinatal palliative care within the antenatal information provided by perinatal professionals. This work was specifically aimed at revealing caregivers' perceptions of and attitudes toward LFA, how it is managed, and procedures for decision making and providing information., Methods: This is a qualitative study using focus groups from two French Multidisciplinary Centers for Prenatal Diagnosis. All verbal production (individual statements, verbal exchanges, etc.) produced during the two focus groups was fully transcribed and the content analyzed., Results: Content analysis revealed four main themes: (1) defining LFA; (2) the source and nature of information about LFA and how it is communicated; (3) therapeutic options and decisions in the management of LFA; and (4) palliative care (limits and criteria) in the context of LFA., Conclusions: Consistency as regards the perceived intention of care among all members of the health care team is essential to support parents facing a possible fatal outcome. Attitudes and practices at Multidisciplinary Centers for Prenatal Diagnosis need to be shaped on a national basis.

Background: Neonatal thyrotoxicosis is most commonly due to transplacental transfer of maternal thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibodies (TRAb). Bioassay of thyrotropin receptor antibodies may help to determine the risk for neonatal hyperthyroidism., Case Report: Thyrotoxicosis developed in a premature infant born to a mother with Graves' disease, with a low level of TRAb by bioassay. The infant was treated with carbimazole for two months, until TRAb had disappeared., Conclusion: Bioassay TRAb is not always reliable for predicting the development of neonatal hyperthyroidism in infants born to mothers with Graves' disease. Thyroid function should be measured in all these neonates.

Congenital laryngeal cysts are rare and can cause upper airway obstruction if they are misdiagnosed. We describe a case of large vallecular cyst diagnosed at 33 weeks of gestation. The purpose of an early diagnosis is to establish a careful perinatal management. If the airway is compromised, a multidisciplinary medical team is necessary to perform emergency immediate tracheostomy. Elective delivery should be always carried out in a tertiary referral center. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective To evaluate the usefulness of transvaginal ultrasonography in the determination of the risk of preterm delivery and chorioamnionitis in pregnancies affected by preterm premature rupture of membranes preterm premature rupture of membranes. Design One hundred and one singleton pregnancies with preterm premature rupture of membranes were included in this prospective study over a 3-year period. Patients underwent cervical length measurement by transvaginal ultrasonography at admission and thereafter, in the absence of chorioamnionitis, were managed expectantly. Results The median time interval between admission and delivery (latency period) was 48 h. A cervical length of less than 20 mm was associated with a significant risk of early delivery (mean latency period was 59.44 ± 159.93 h vs. 240.94 ± 364.67; P < 0.05). There was no relation between cervical length and occurrence of chorioamnionitis or neonatal sepsis. Conclusions These data suggest that the use of transvaginal ultrasonography for cervical length measurement during preterm premature rupture of membranes may predict an early delivery but cannot anticipate the risk of chorioamnionitis or neonatal sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]