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Aim This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features and pregnancy outcomes of placental mesenchymal dysplasia (PMD) in Japan. Methods We requested detailed clinical information and placental tissue of PMD cases in 2000-2018 from Japanese facilities with departments of obstetrics and gynecology and analyzed the pregnancy course and neonatal outcomes. Results We collected 49 cases of PMD. Of 18 patients with measured maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) levels, 15 (83.3%) had elevated levels. Maternal serum human chorionic gonadotropin (MShCG) levels were transiently elevated in five (17.8%) of 28 patients. Forty-seven patients continued their pregnancies. All pregnancies were singleton and 40 (85.1%) were associated with adverse events including fetal growth restriction (FGR), threatened premature delivery, fetal demise, and hypertensive disorder of pregnancy in 34 (72.3%), 14 (29.8%), eight (17.0%), and six (12.8%) patients, respectively. Of 47 infants, there were eight stillbirths. There were 40 (85.1%) female infants, and eight (17.0%) had Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. Of 39 live births, 23 (59.0%) were associated with premature induction of labor or cesarean section for obstetric indications related to FGR. Eighteen (46.2%) neonates had complications. PMD-affected placentas were pathologically heterogeneous in both grossly PMD-affected and non-affected areas. Conclusions Our study included the largest number of PMD cases with detailed clinical information. PMD is a high-risk condition for both the mother and the child. Elevated MSAFP levels with normal MShCG levels indicate PMD. Conventional perinatal management of FGR in Japan might be effective in reducing the fetal mortality rate.

Objetivo: reportar un caso de mola parcial con feto vivo y realizar una revisión de la literatura sobre las complicaciones maternas y fetales asociadas a esta condición.Materiales y métodos: se presenta el reporte de un caso de mola parcial y feto vivo de 33 semanas, complicado por restricción de crecimiento intrauterino, oligoamnios y preeclampsia severa. Después de seguimiento del recién nacido a un año reportamos un resultado satisfactorio materno-fetal. Se realiza una búsqueda de la literatura en Medline vía PubMed, LILACS, OVID, Uptodate y Google Scholar, con los siguientes términos MESH: “hiditadiform mole”, “partial mole”, “live fetus”, “coexisting live fetus”. Se seleccionaron estudios de series de caso y reportes de caso de gestantes con coexistencia de mola parcial y feto vivo al momento del diagnóstico, y se extrajo información sobre el pronóstico materno-fetal. Resultados: se identificaron inicialmente 129 títulos relacionados, de los cuales 29 cumplieron los criterios de inclusión, 4 artículos fueron excluidos por no obtener acceso al texto completo. Se analizaron 31 casos reportados, 9 casos terminaron en aborto, 8 terminaron en óbito o muerte perinatal y 14 (45%) casos terminaron con un recién nacido vivo. La complicación materna más frecuente fue preeclampsia, en 6 (19,35%) casos. Conclusión: la coexistencia de mola parcial con feto vivo presenta un riesgo alto de resultado perinatal adverso y preeclampsia. Se requiere más información sobre esta rara condición para determinar de mejor manera posibles intervenciones en los casos de fetos euploides y dar una adecuada asesoría en la práctica clínica, por lo que es importante el reporte de estos casos para tener suficiente evidencia sobre el comportamiento natural de la enfermedad.

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) is a rare disorder that typically presents in the third trimester. We report a case of a 21-year-old woman with a history of intrauterine fetal demise at 19 weeks’ gestation who developed fulminant liver failure 1 week after the fetal demise. She was diagnosed with AFLP as per the Swansea criteria. An orthotopic liver transplant was attempted but was unsuccessful. AFLP usually presents between the 30th to 38th weeks of gestation. However, it can occur in the postpartum period after only 19 weeks of gestation as highlighted in our case.

Aim This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and outcome of intrauterine transfusion (IUT) for the surviving co-twin in monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twin gestations involving single intrauterine fetal death (sIUFD). Methods Cases of MCDA twin gestations involving emergent IUT for co-twins experiencing acute feto-fetal hemorrhage (AFFH) subsequent to sIUFD during the second trimester were reviewed. Fetal anemia was confirmed via fetal blood sampling, and perinatal data were retrieved from medical charts to determine the outcomes of surviving co-twins. A poor outcome at 28 days of age was defined as fetal death, neonatal death or neurological impairment such as severe intraventricular hemorrhage or cystic periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). Results This study included 16 cases of sIUFD diagnosed at a median of 22.5 weeks of gestation (range: 18-25 weeks). The median interval in hours between diagnosis of fetal demise and IUT was approximately 4.2 (0-22) hours. All cases achieved IUT without significant intraoperative complications. Four cases experienced a fetal loss of the co-twin, whereas 12 co-twins were born alive (including 9 preterm births), with only 1 poor outcome in a preterm infant with PVL. Conclusion IUT may be a feasible prenatal intervention for surviving co-twins with AFFH. However, more extensive or pooled studies are needed to determine the efficacy of this intervention.

Hemivertebra appears as an angulation of the spine on a coronal section. We evaluated the prevalence of chromosomal defects and outcome of fetuses with hemivertebra detected in the first trimester over a 9-year period in a single tertiary referral unit. There were 10 cases; 9 had other anomalies. Seven couples opted for termination of pregnancy. One pregnancy ended in fetal demise at 16 weeks, and the 2 isolated cases continued the pregnancy with delivery at term. A karyotype analysis was performed in 8 fetuses: 5 found to be euploid and 3 having trisomy 18. Comprehensive ultrasound screening allows early prenatal detection and appropriate counseling.

Intrauterine fetal hypoxia is one of the leading cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity. This can eventually lead to severe neurological damage like cerebral palsy and in extreme cases to fetal demise. It is thus necessary to monitor the fetus during intrapartum and antepartum period. Cardiotocograph (CTG) as a method of assessing the status of the fetus had been in use for last six decades. Nowadays it is the most widely used non-invasive technique for the continuous monitoring of the fetal heart rate (FHR) and the uterine contraction pressure (UCP). Though its introduction limited the birth related problems, the accuracy of interpretation was hindered by quite a few factors. Different guidelines that are provided for the interpretation are based on crisp logic which fails to capture the inherent uncertainty present in the medical diagnosis. Misinterpretations had led to inaccurate diagnosis which resulted in many medico-legal litigations. The vagueness present in the physician’s evaluation is best modeled using soft-computing based techniques. In this paper authors used the CTG dataset from UCI Irvine Machine Learning Data Repository which contains 2126 data and each data-point is represented by 37 features. Dimensionality of the feature set was reduced using different automated methods as well as manually by the physicians. The resulting data sets were classified using various machine learning algorithms. Aim of this study is to establish which set of features is best suited to give good insight into the status of the fetus and also determine the most effective machine learning technique for this purpose. The accuracy of the outcomes were measured using statistical methods such as sensitivity, specificity, precision, F-Measure, confusion matrix and kappa value. We obtained an accuracy of 99.91% and kappa measure of 0.997 when the feature set was reduced using MRMR.

The donation of organs and tissues from neonates (birth to 28 days) for transplantation has been a relatively infrequent occurrence. Less common has been the use of neonatal organs and tissues for research. Specific ethical and legal questions beg for rational and transparent guidelines with which to evaluate referrals of potential donors. Donation of organs and tissues from a neonate can play a key role in the care and support provided to families by health care professionals around the time of a neonate's death. We report on the recovery of neonatal organs and tissues for research. A working group made up of bioethicists, neonatologists, lawyers, obstetric practioners as well as organ procurement and tissue banking professionals evaluated legal, ethical and medical issues. Neonatal donor family members were also consulted. Our primary goals were (a) to ensure that referrals were made in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, regulations and institutional protocols, and (b) to follow acceptable ethical standards. Algorithms and policies designed to assist in the evaluation of potential neonatal donors were developed. Neonatal donation is proving increasingly valuable for research into areas including diabetes, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, genitourinary and neurological development, rheumatoid arthritis, autism, childhood psychiatric and neurologic disorders, treatment of MRSA infection and pediatric emergency resuscitation. The development of policies and procedures will assist medical professionals who wish to offer the option of donation to family members anticipating the death of a neonate.

Diabetes is associated with increased risk of stillbirth and shoulder dystocia. Compared with uncomplicated pregnancies, diabetic patients have a 4-6x risk of stillbirth and 2-3x risk of shoulder dystocia. A 34 yo G2P0010 presented with a 40+3 wga IUFD with nonstandard antenatal glucose screening. Admission labs included a hemoglobin A1c of 6.6. She had a vaginal delivery complicated by a 30-minute shoulder dystocia that was not relieved by McRoberts, suprapubic pressure, Rubin II, Wood’s Screw, or posterior arm delivery. Nitroglycerine was administered, after which Wood’s Screw was successful resulting in delivery of an infant weighing 4190 grams (85th percentile for gestational age). A 31 yo G1 presented with a 37+1 wga IUFD. Her 28 wga three-hour GTT was notable for an elevated value at one hour (216 mg/dL). Admission labs included a hemoglobin A1c of 6.6. She had a vaginal delivery complicated by a 30-minute shoulder dystocia that was relieved via posterior axillary sling after failure of McRoberts, suprapubic pressure, Rubin II, Wood’s Screw, and Gaskin’s, resulting in the delivery of an infant weighing 3590 g (92nd percentile for gestational age). We present two cases of severe shoulder dystocia in patients who both presented with term IUFD and diabetic-range hemoglobin A1c. There is minimal literature on diabetic patients with pregnancies affected by both stillbirth and shoulder dystocia. These cases underscore the importance of glucose screening and control to prevent catastrophic obstetric outcomes.

BACKGROUND Minimally invasive fetal surgery is commonly performed to treat twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome with selective fetoscopic laser photocoagulation and twin-reversed arterial perfusion sequence using radiofrequency ablation. Although an increasing number of centers worldwide are performing these procedures, anesthetic management varies. Both neuraxial anesthesia and monitored anesthesia care with local anesthesia are used at different institutions. We sought to determine the efficacy and outcomes of these 2 anesthetic techniques for fetal procedures at our institution. METHODS All patients undergoing minimally invasive fetal surgery for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome or twin-reversed arterial perfusion sequence over a 6-year time period (2011-2016) were reviewed. Patients receiving monitored anesthesia care with local anesthesia were compared with those receiving spinal anesthesia in both selective fetoscopic laser photocoagulation and radiofrequency ablation fetal procedures. The primary outcome examined between the monitored anesthesia care and spinal anesthesia groups was the difference in conversion to general anesthesia using a noninferiority design with a noninferiority margin of 5%. Secondary outcome measures included use of vasopressors, procedure times, intraoperative fluids administered, maternal complications, and unexpected fetal demise within 24 hours of surgery. RESULTS The difference in failure rate between monitored anesthesia care and spinal was -0.5% (95% CI, -4.8% to 3.7%). Patients receiving monitored anesthesia care plus local anesthesia were significantly less likely to need vasopressors, had a shorter presurgical operating room time, and received less fluid (P < .001). Operative time did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS Monitored anesthesia care plus local anesthesia is a reliable and safe anesthetic choice for minimally invasive fetal surgery. Furthermore, it decreases maternal hemodynamic instability and reduces preincision operating room time.

The aim of this report is to contribute to the pool of data on clinical outcomes in SARS-CoV-2 infected infected pregnant patients. We present a case of fetal demise in an asymptomatic infected women, admitted at 39 weeks gestation with severe preeclampsia and late-onset fetal growth restriction. Higher incidence of preeclampsia among infected patients has been reported. Similar clinical, laboratorial and histopathological findings between systemic infection and preeclampsia suggest a common theme of endothelial damage and abnormal maternal circulation resulting in placental hypoperfusion, possibly leading to adverse obstetric outcomes. Further studies urge to access the impact of COVID-19 in pregnancy.

Wharton’s jelly is a specialized connective tissue surrounding and protecting umbilical cord vessels. In its absence, the vessels are exposed to the risk of compression or rupture. Because the condition is very rare and there are no available antepartum investigation methods for diagnosis, these cases are usually discovered after delivery, frequently after in utero fetal demise. We report the fortunate case of a 29-year-old nulliparous woman, with an uncomplicated pregnancy, admitted at 39 weeks in labor where a persistently abnormal cardiotocographic trace led to delivery by cesarean section of a healthy 3500 g newborn. After delivery, a Wharton’s jelly anomaly was identified at the abdominal umbilical insertion (umbilical cord vessels, approximately 1 cm in length, were completely uncovered by Wharton’s jelly), which required surgical thread elective ligation. In the presence of a persistently abnormal CTG trace, in a pregnancy with no clinical settings suggestive of either chronic or acute fetal hypoxemia, the absence of Wharton’s jelly should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis.

In order to determine the frequency of SARS-CoV-2 placental and fetal involvements, we analyzed placentas of 197 women positive for infection at delivery and fetal tissues in cases of pregnancy loss in women positive by SARS-CoV-2 PCR (N = 2) and COVID-19 serology (N = 4), using in situ hybridization (ISH), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and, in selected cases, RT-PCR of tissue homogenates. The virus was identified in situ, accompanied by intervillositis, in 2 of 197 placentas (1.02%). In three more cases, SARS-CoV-2 was detected by tissue PCR without in situ localization and placental inflammation. There were no maternal mortality or association of placental infection with the clinical severity of COVID-19. All tested neonates born to SARS-CoV-2-positive women (N = 172) were negative for the virus. There were three pregnancy losses among 197 infected women and in two cases available fetal tissues were negative for SARS-CoV-2. In one of four fetal autopsies performed in women with positive COVID-19 serology, the mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) could be inferred based on positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid IHC in fetal pulmonary endothelium. Placental involvement by SARS-CoV-2 is rare, but may be underestimated due to its transient nature. MTCT is even rarer, supporting the protective role of placenta in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

One-third of all intestinal obstructions in the newborn are caused by atresias. The most common site is the duodenum followed by jejunoileal and colonic locations. Herein we report the autopsy findings of a rare case of jejunoileal atresia associated with malrotation of gut. Autopsy performed on a 36 weeks old male fetus still birth, born of a non-consanguineous marriage, demonstrated jejunoileal atresia with apple peel deformity and malrotation of gut. Although the diagnosis was established in the prenatal period, in utero fetal demise occurred before definitive surgical intervention could be done. This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and intervention.

Blunt abdominal trauma is one of the leading causes of non-obstetrics-related deaths during pregnancy, with motor vehicle collision, falls, and assaults being the most common etiologies. While a trauma team plays a central role in the care of a pregnant trauma patient, a multidisciplinary involvement is vital to ensure the safety of the fetus and the mother. This case study will follow the step-by-step multidisciplinary approach utilized for a 37-year-old female in her third trimester who suffered blunt trauma and arrived at a Level 1 trauma center that led to maternal survival but fetal demise. She was initially evaluated by Emergency Medicine and Obstetrics/Gynecology departments for maternal and fetal trauma, by Orthopedics for several fractures including the pubic ramus and sacral ala fractures, as well as by Neurosurgery for a subarachnoid hemorrhage and a subdural hematoma. Subsequently, the following departments were brought on after the patient suddenly became hypotensive with abdominal tenderness to assess for internal bleeding: Interventional Radiology, Trauma, Surgery, and Urology. Retroperitoneal and pelvic hematomas were found to be the source of bleeding during an emergency laparotomy and the decision was made for an emergency caesarian section. The neonatal intensive care unit ultimately could not start the fetal heart. In the days that followed, the neurosurgery department monitored the worsening intercranial bleeds while Psychiatry and Social Work attended to the patient. A proper systematic approach towards a patient in this situation necessitates expertise from multiple fields, and the success of this interplay greatly affects patient outcomes.

Although fetal deaths was decreased by intrapartum Fetal Heart Rate (FHR) monitoring, infantile cerebral palsy was not decreased in Dublin trials of Electric Fetal Monitor (EFM), thus, an analysis to reduce cerebral palsy was studied, where cerebral palsy is prevented by setting the threshold of hypoxia index at 24 or less, in the analysis of FHR deceleration.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess maternal and perinatal outcomes of twin pregnancies with single fetal demise in terms of chorionicity and fetal death time. Material and Methods: All deliveries between January 2008 and July 2015 were reviewed retrospectively and 85 twin pregnancies with single fetal demise were included. These cases were grouped according to chorionicity and fetal death time. Results: The incidence of single fetal demise was 4.7%. The mean delivery week was later in the dichorionic group (34.16±4.65) than in the monochorionic group (31.1±3.83). The ratios of deliveries before the 34th gestational week were 71.4% in monochorionics and 35% in dichorionics. Monochorionics had a 13 times greater risk for having delivery before the 37th gestational week and a 4 times greater risk for having delivery before the 34th gestational week compared with dichorionics. Furthermore, monochorionics had a 7 times greater risk for having abruptio placenta compared with dichorionics. The newborn intensive care unit admission ratios were 61.3% in dichorionics and 85.7% in monochorionics. Also, monochorionics had a 3.7 times greater risk for admission to newborn intensive care unit compared with dichorionics. Conclusion: We recommend follow-up of twin pregnancies with single fetal demise in terms of premature birth, regardless of chorionicity. Also, close monitoring is recommended for monochorionic twin pregnancies with single fetal demise in terms of premature birth before 34 weeks of gestation, abruptio placenta, the need for neonatal intensive care, and respiratory distress syndrome.

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Identifying which pregnancies are at risk of FGR facilitates enhanced surveillance and early delivery before fetal demise can ensue. However, existing risk stratification strategies yield an unacceptably low detection rate. A robust and reliable first trimester screening test for FGR would not only enable high-risk women to be appropriately monitored but would facilitate future trials for possible interventions to enhance fetal growth. Both the volume and vascularity of the first trimester placenta has been demonstrated to be linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes including FGR and pre-eclampsia. The investigation of novel ultrasound markers for FGR are discussed along with the development of methods for fully automatic placental volume estimation which has the potential for use as part of a multi-variable population-based screening test.

INTRODUCTION Uterine fibroids (UFs) are the most common benign disease affecting female reproductive system, and occurring in 20-40% of women, and in 10% of pregnancies. The aim of the investigation was to summarize evidence about the management and treatment of UFs and related complications in pregnancy. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION A literature review was performed using scientific databases, including all case report and case series, using a combination of key words related to the problem exposed. Data about gestational age at diagnosis, maximum fibroids diameter, type of surgery and gestational age at surgery, delivery and perinatal outcome were collected. Two clinical cases were also included. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Sixty-six articles were selected, and 199 patients were included. In 76% of patients the gestational age at myomectomy was lower than 20 weeks, in 85% laparotomic surgery was chosen, in 41% of cases the maximum fibroid diameter was between 7-20 cm, in 41% of pregnancies the route of delivery was the Cesarean section. In the eight percent of cases there was a complication given by miscarriage, fetal demise or neonatal death. CONCLUSIONS Myomectomy is a feasible procedure in those pregnancies complicated by symptomatic fibroids, though surgery in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of obstetric complications.

Introduction. Translational models of myelomeningocele (MMC) are needed to test novel in utero interventions. An ideal animal model for MMC has locomotor function at birth and is low cost enough to allow for high throughput. The rat MMC model is limited by immature locomotor function at birth. The ovine MMC model is a costly surgical model. Guinea pigs are uniquely suited for an MMC model being a small animal model with locomotor function at birth. We aimed to develop a retinoic acid (RA) model of MMC in the guinea pig and to evaluate if pregnant guinea pigs could tolerate uterine manipulation. Methods. Time-mated Dunkin Hartley guinea pig dams were dosed with 60 mg/kg of RA between gestation age (GA) 12 and 15 days in the development of an RA model. Fetuses were grossly evaluated for MMC lesions at Cesarean section after GA 31 days. Evaluation of the ability of pregnant guinea pig dams to tolerate uterine surgical intervention was performed by hysterotomy of a separated group of time-mated guinea pigs at GA 45, 50, and 55. Results. Forty-two pregnant guinea pigs were dosed with RA, with a total of 189 fetuses. The fetal demise rate was 38% ( n = 71 ). A total of 118 fetuses were viable, 83% ( n = 98 ) were normal fetuses, 8% ( n = 10 ) had a neural tube defect, and 8% ( n = 10 ) had a hematoma or other anomalies. No fetuses developed an MMC defect. None of the fetuses that underwent hysterotomy survived to term. Conclusion. RA dosed at 60 mg/kg in guinea pigs between GA 12 and 15 did not result in MMC. Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs did not tolerate a hysterotomy near term in our surgical model. Further work is needed to determine if MMC can be induced in guinea pigs with alternate RA dosing.

The clinical management of intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) in women with a previous cesarean delivery presents a dilemma for the obstetrician. With the current reluctance of obstetricians to perform vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) and the paucity of data to counsel women regarding maternal risks, management options are limited by physician's clinical experience and biases. In the setting of fetal demise, maternal safety becomes the primary concern. Medicolegal pressures may prevent physicians from attempting a trial of labor in this situation. In this review we will a focus on frequency of birth with IUFD after cesarean section (CS), we discuss the options (VBAC vs CS), different complications, methods for induction of vaginal birth as well as risk factors of vaginal birth and cesarean delivery.

International audience; INTRODUCTION: Pregnant women with covid-19 are more likely to experience preterm birth. The virus seems to be associated with a wide range of placental lesions, none of them specific. METHOD: We collected cases of Covid-19 maternal infection during pregnancy associated with poor pregnancy outcomes, for which we received the placenta. We studied clinical data and described pathological findings of placenta and post-mortem examination of fetuses. We performed an immunohistochemical study and RT-PCR of SARS-Cov-2 on placenta samples. RESULTS: We report 5 cases of poor fetal outcome, 3 fetal deaths and 2 extreme premature neonates, one with growth restriction, without clinical and biological sign of SARS-Cov-2 infection. All placenta presented massive perivillous fibrin deposition and large intervillous thrombi associated with strong SARS-Cov-2 expression in trophoblast and SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity in amniotic fluid or on placenta samples. Chronic histiocytic intervillositis was present in 4/5 cases. Placental ultrasound was abnormal and the sFLT1-PIGF ratio was increased in one case. Timing between mothers' infection and the poor fetal outcome was ≤10 days in 4 cases. The massive placental damage are directly induced by the virus whose receptors are expressed on trophoblast, leading to trophoblast necrosis and massive inflammation in villous chamber, in a similar way it occurs in diffuse alveolar damage in adults infected by SARS-Cov-2. DISCUSSION: SARS-Cov-2 can be associated to a rare set of placental lesions which can lead to fetal demise, preterm birth, or growth restriction. Stronger surveillance of mothers infected by SARS-Cov-2 is required.

This chapter gives an update on the current level of knowledge of the neurological and long-term neurodevelopmental outcome in complicated monochorionic twin pregnancy, including twin-twin transfusion syndrome, twin anemia-polycythemia sequence, selective fetal growth restriction, twin reversed arterial perfusion, severe discordant anomalies, and single fetal demise. Risk factors for adverse long-term outcome are highlighted and future research- and care suggestions are provided.