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Introduction We investigated association between sociodemographic characteristics and COVID‐19 disease among pregnant women admitted to our unit, the largest high‐risk maternity unit in the Milan metropolitan area. Methods Between March 1, 2020 and April 30, 2020, 896 pregnant women were admitted to our Institution and tested for COVID‐19. We collected information regarding their sociodemographic characteristics. Additional information on geographical area of residence, number of family members, number of family members tested positive for COVID‐19, and clinical data was collected for women tested positive for COVID‐19. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the risk of developing COVID‐19 according to sociodemographic characteristics were estimated by unconditional logistic regression models. Results Among the 896 women enrolled, 50 resulted positive for COVID‐19. Pregnant women aged ≥35 years had a significantly lower risk of developing the infection (crude OR = 0.29; 95% CI:0.16–0.55). Conversely, foreign women (crude OR = 3.32; 95% CI:1.89–5.81), unemployed women (crude OR = 3.09; 95% CI: 1.77–5.40), and women with an unemployed partner (crude OR = 3.16; 95% CI: 1.48–6.79) showed a significantly higher risk of infection. Ethnicity was positively associated with the risk of developing COVID‐19 (mutually adjusted OR = 2.15; 95% CI:1.12–4.11) in the multivariate analysis. Foreign women with COVID‐19 were more likely to have a lower education level (p

Recommended regimens for pregnant women with HIV-1 are composed of two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) plus either a ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor (PI) or an integrase strand transfer inhibitor (ISTI), with non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) representing an alternative drug class. The study’s purpose was to compare these three options in terms of pregnancy outcomes. Data from a national observational study of pregnant women with HIV-1 were used. The analysis included all pregnancies reported between 2008 and 2018, ending in live births and exposed within 32 weeks of gestation to three-drug regimens composed of a NRTI backbone plus a PI, a NNRTI or a ISTI, without class switching during pregnancy. Clinical and laboratory outcomes were evaluated in univariate and multivariable analyses. Overall, 794 exposed pregnancies were analyzed (PI 78.4%, NNRTI 15.4%, ISTI 6.2%). Almost all outcomes had similar rates in the three groups. Women who received PI in pregnancy were less likely to be virologically suppressed at third trimester. PI use was associated with higher bilirubin and triglyceride levels, and ISTI use with a lower rate of low birthweight. The differences in viral suppression at third trimester and in low birthweight were not maintained in multivariable analyses that were adjusted for confounders. We found no major differences in a wide range of outcomes relevant for pregnant women with HIV. Such results are reassuring, and this information may be helpful in a context of preconception counseling when therapeutic choices for pregnancy are discussed between women and care providers.

Background: Evidence on the outcome of Covid-19 in pregnancy is generally reassuring but yet not definitive. Methods: To specifically assess the impact of Covid-19 in the second half of pregnancy, we prospectively recruited 315 consecutive women delivering in a referral hospital located in Lombardy, Italy in the early phase of the epidemic. Restriction of the recruitment to this peculiar historical time period allowed to exclude infections occurring early in pregnancy and to limit the recall bias. All recruited subjects underwent a nasopharyngeal swab to assess the presence of Sars-Cov-2 using Real-time PCR. In addition, two different types of antibodies for the virus were evaluated in peripheral blood, those against the spike proteins S1 and S2 of the envelope and those against the nucleoprotein of the nucleocapsid. Women were considered to have had Covid-19 in pregnancy if at least one of the three assessments was positive. Results: Overall, 28 women had a diagnosis of Covid-19 in pregnancy (8.9%). Women diagnosed with the infection were more likely to report one or more episodes of symptoms suggestive for Covid-19 (n=11, 39.3%) compared to unaffected women (n=39, 13.6%). The corresponding OR was 4.11 (95%CI: 1.79-9.44). Symptoms significantly associated with Covid-19 in pregnancy included fever, cough, dyspnea and anosmia. Only one woman necessitated intensive care. Pregnancy outcome in women with and without Covid-19 did not also differ. Conclusions: Covid-19 is asymptomatic in three out of five women in the second half of pregnancy and is rarely severe. In addition, pregnancy outcome may not be significantly affected.

Recent evidence supports elective induction of labor at 39 weeks in low-risk pregnancies to improve maternal and perinatal outcomes. This evidence includes the ARRIVE trial (A Randomized Trial of Induction Versus Expectant Management). However, concerns have been raised on the external validity of the ARRIVE trial, especially with regard to the demographic and clinical characteristics of the pregnant women recruited.This study compared the outcomes in a cohort of consecutive pregnant women, who fulfilled the criteria of the ARRIVE trial and were managed expectantly in an Italian referral academic hospital, with those reported in the expectant and induction arms of the ARRIVE trial.This was a retrospective single-center study. Consecutive low-risk nulliparous women who fulfilled the ARRIVE trial criteria were evaluated for eligibility at 36-38 weeks of gestation. Those who neither developed complications nor delivered spontaneously before 39 weeks were eligible for this comparative analysis. Maternal and fetal growth and wellbeing were screened and monitored from 36 to 38 weeks of gestation.A total of 1696 patients met the established criteria at recruitment. Of these, 343 spontaneously delivered in39 weeks, 82 delivered because of maternal indication, and 37 for fetal indication. A total of 1234 pregnant women were eligible for comparison with the elective induction and the expectant management groups of the ARRIVE trial. The socioeconomic status was significantly better, maternal age was significantly higher, and body mass index was significantly lower in our cohort. Cesarean section rate in our cohort was lower than that of the expectant group of the ARRIVE trial (18.7 vs. 22.2%;In our cohort, expectant management in low-risk pregnancies with late preterm screening of feto-maternal well-being seemed to achieve better maternal and perinatal outcomes than a universal policy of induction at 39 weeks. The results of the ARRIVE trial should be carefully evaluated in different demographic and clinical settings and cannot be extended to the general population.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a global health emergency [1, 2], with Lombardy being the epicenter of this outbreak in Italy [3].

Evidence on the prevalence and outcome of Covid-19 in pregnancy is yet inconclusive. To draw more information on this issue, we prospectively recruited 315 consecutive women delivering in a referral hospital located in Lombardy, Italy and evaluated the proportion of women who had Covid-19 in pregnancy. All recruited subjects underwent a nasopharyngeal swab to assess the presence of Sars-Cov-2 using Real-time PCR. In addition, two different type of antibodies for the virus were evaluated in peripheral blood, those against the spike proteins S1 and S2 of the envelope and those against the nucleoprotein of the nucleocapsid. Women were considered to have had Covid-19 in pregnancy if at least one of the assessment was positive. Overall, 28 women had a diagnosis of Covid-19 in pregnancy (8.9%, 95%CI: 6.2-12.5%), in line with the local general population. Women diagnosed with the infection were more likely to report one or more episodes of symptoms suggestive for Covid-19 (n=11, 39.3%) compared to unaffected women (n=39, 13.6%). The corresponding OR was 4.11 (95%CI: 1.79-9.44). Symptoms significantly associated with Covid-19 in pregnancy included fever, cough, dyspnea and anosmia. Only one woman necessitated intensive care. No maternal deaths occurred. Pregnancy outcome in women with and without Covid-19 did not also differ. In conclusion, women in the second half of pregnancy do not appear to be more susceptible to Covid-19 and its complications. In addition, the study suggests that pregnancy outcome may not be significantly affected.

Background: Few studies have evaluated in pregnant women with HIV the prevalence of smoking and its associations with maternal and neonatal outcomes. Objectives: to assess the prevalence of smoking among women with HIV in early pregnancy and the association between smoking and pregnancy outcomes in this particular population. Methods: We used data from a multicenter observational study to define the prevalence of smoking in women with HIV in early pregnancy, and the role of smoking status and intensity as risk factors for adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Main outcome measures were fetal growth restriction [FGR], preterm delivery [PD] and low birthweight [LB], evaluated in univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: The overall (2001-2018) prevalence of reported smoking (at least one cigarette/day) was 25.6% (792/3097), with a significant decrease in recent years (19.0% in 2013-2018). Women who smoked were less commonly African, had lower body mass index, older age, a longer history of HIV infection and higher CD4 counts. In univariate analyses, smokers were significantly more likely to have PD, LB, FGR and detectable HIV viral load at third trimester. Multivariable analyses confirmed for smokers a significantly higher risk of LB (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.69, 95%CI 1.22-2.34) and FGR (AOR 1.88, 95%CI 1.27-2.80), while the associations with detectable HIV and PD were not maintained. Conclusions: The common prevalence of smoking among pregnant women with HIV and its association with adverse outcomes indicates that smoking cessation programs in this population may have a significant impact on neonatal and maternal health.

Given the difficulty in establishing the exact time of HCMV transmission from mother to fetus, HCMV intrauterine infection was investigated in 46 infected fetuses/newborns by correlating maternal and fetal parameters with clinical outcome according to the time interval between the onset of maternal infection and prenatal diagnosis. In detail, 17/28 (60.7%) asymptomatic and 18/18 (100%) symptomatic fetuses/newborns were infected as a consequence of a primary maternal HCMV infection acquired ≤8 weeks of gestational age, while 11/28 (39.3%) asymptomatic and 0/18 (0%) symptomatic fetuses/newborns were congenitally infected when maternal infection was acquired >8 weeks' gestation. Symptomatic fetal infections appeared to be associated with a maternal primary infection occurring at ≤ 8 weeks' gestation. Cordocentesis performed at 20 weeks' gestation should be restricted to high risk infected fetuses.

Objective To assess whether sonographic diagnosis of fetal head position before instrumental vaginal delivery can reduce the risk of failed vacuum extraction and improve delivery outcome. Methods Randomised Italian Sonography for occiput POSition Trial Ante vacuum (R.I.S.POS.T.A.) is a randomized controlled trial of term (37 + 0 to 41 + 6 weeks' gestation) singleton pregnancies with cephalic presentation requiring instrumental delivery by vacuum extraction, which was conducted between April 2014 and June 2017 and involved 13 Italian maternity hospitals. Patients were randomized to assessment of fetal head position before attempted instrumental delivery by either vaginal examination (VE) alone or VE plus transabdominal sonography (TAS). Primary outcome was incidence of emergency Cesarean section due to failed vacuum extraction. A sample size of 653 women per group was planned to compare the primary outcome between the two groups. The sample size estimation was based on the hypothesis that the risk of failed vacuum delivery in the VE group would be 5% and that ultrasound assessment of fetal position prior to vacuum extraction would decrease this risk to 2%. Results On interim analysis, the trial was stopped for futility. During this period, 222 women were randomized and 221 were included in the final data analysis, of whom 132 (59.7%) were randomized to evaluation of fetal head position by VE only and 89 (40.3%) to assessment by VE plus TAS prior to vacuum extraction. No significant differences were observed between the two groups with respect to incidence of emergency Cesarean section due to failed instrumental delivery and other maternal and fetal outcomes. Women randomized to assessment by VE plus TAS showed higher incidence of non-occiput anterior position of the fetal head at randomization and lower incidence of incorrect diagnosis of occiput position compared with women undergoing assessment by VE alone. A higher rate of episiotomy was noted in the women undergoing both VE and TAS compared with those in the VE-only group. Conclusions Our prematurely discontinued randomized controlled trial did not demonstrate any benefit in terms of reduced risk of failed instrumental delivery or maternal and fetal morbidity in women undergoing sonographic assessment of fetal head position prior to vacuum extraction. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

To define diagnostic and prognostic markers of parvovirus B19 (B19V) fetal infection, two groups were investigated: 1) pregnant women with specific symptoms or contacts with symptomatic households (n=37); 2) mothers with pathological ultrasound findings and the relevant fetus at the time of prenatal diagnosis (n=16). In the first group, diagnosis of B19V infection was achieved using IgM detection in 29/37 (78.3%) of patients, while B19V DNA was detected in 36/37 (97.3%) of infected women. In the second group, intrauterine infection was investigated by amniocentesis (n=5), cordocentesis (n=3) or both (n=5). Median B19V DNA load in amniotic fluid was 8.2x107 copies/ml and in fetal blood was 2x109 copies/ml. Maternal blood was positive for B19V DNA (median 3.8x104 copies/ml) in 14/16 (87.5%) women examined. At time of fetal US investigation, all mothers were B19V IgG positive and B19V IgM were detected in 10/16 (62.5%), while fetal B19V IgG and IgM were detected in 1/8 (12.5%) and 5/8 (62.5%), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all B19V maternal and fetal strains belonged to genotype 1A. Diagnosis of maternal, fetal and neonatal B19V infection should be based on both IgM and DNA detection. Prognostic markers of congenital B19V infection need to be defined.

Objective: To compare the sonographic measurement of maternal subcutaneous and visceral adipose thickness between pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and patients with nondiabetic pregnancies. Methods: Adipose thickness was measured by transabdominal ultrasound in pregnant women attending our antenatal clinics at 24-28 weeks' gestation. All patients underwent a 75-g oral glucose challenge as a diagnostic test for GDM. Results: The study population comprised 56 women with a positive glucose challenge test and 112 nondiabetic pregnancies. Measurements of subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues were converted into multiples of the median (MoM), adjusted for gestational age. The mean subcutaneous thickness MoM in patients with GDM was significantly higher compared to nondiabetic pregnancies (1.31 vs. 1.07; p = 0.011). Similarly, the mean visceral thickness MoM was higher in women with a positive oral glucose tolerance test compared to controls (1.61 vs. 1.06; p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that visceral adipose thickness, but not subcutaneous thickness, was significantly and independently associated with GDM (odds ratio 34.047, 95% confidence interval 9.489-122.166). Conclusions: Sonographic thickness of maternal visceral adipose tissue at 24-28 weeks' gestation was higher in women with GDM compared to nondiabetic pregnancies, independently from other known risk factors associated with GDM.

It has been reported that maternal DNAemia is detectable in three quarters of pregnant women with acute/recent primary HCMV infections, with a higher median number of HCMV DNA copies/ml blood in transmitter as compared with non-transmitter mothers.The kinetics of HCMV DNA in blood of transmitter vs non-transmitter pregnant women with primary HCMV infection was retrospectively analyzed from their first blood sampling at referral up to amniocentesis strictly performed at 19-21 weeks' gestation. Monthly monitoring of maternal HCMV DNAemia was performed up to prenatal diagnosis.HCMV DNAemia was determined in 154 pregnant women. At amniocentesis, HCMV DNA in blood was positive in 42/50 (84.0%) amniotic fluid (AF) -positive and 21/104 (20.2%) AF-negative mothers (p0.0001). The number of HCMV DNA copies/ml blood was not significantly different in AF-positive as compared with AF-negative mothers in the interval 0-30days post-infection (p=0.14). On the contrary, HCMV DNA load at 30-60days (p=0.03) and at 60-90days (p0.001) after onset of infection was significantly different, as observed at amniocentesis (p0.001). Three patterns (clearance, delayed decrease, and increasing) in both transmitter and non-transmitter mothers were observed. However, 79.8% AF- negative mothers cleared HCMV DNA in blood, while in AF-positive mothers increasing (44.0%) or persisting (40.0%) levels of DNAemia were observed.The presence of viral DNA in maternal blood at amniocentesis is statistically associated with fetal HCMV infection. Increasing or persisting levels of maternal DNAemia during primary HCMV infection in pregnancy correlate with HCMV transmission to the fetus.

Background The burden of congenital human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is well recognized. However, screening for maternal infection remains controversial in view of diagnostic challenges, counseling difficulties, and absence of medical treatment. Objective To assess the role of prenatal diagnosis and counseling in the management of pregnancy complicated by primary HCMV infection. Study design Retrospective study aimed at investigating diagnostic features, options, and pregnancy outcome in 735 women with primary HCMV infection over a period of 20 years (1990–2009). Results Overall, 25.6% women were found to be seronegative before the actual pregnancy. However, none were informed about HCMV infection and potential prevention strategies. Diagnosis of primary HCMV infection was achieved by seroconversion in 44.4% cases and by different combinations of virus-specific IgM, low IgG avidity, and DNAemia in 43.9% cases. Non-specific symptoms and/or haematological/biochemical alterations were recalled by 73.5% women. The onset of infection could be established, and counseling adjusted accordingly in >90% cases. The overall rate of vertical transmission was 37.1%, ranging from 5.6% for preconceptional infections to 64.1% for third trimester infections. Amniocentesis was chosen by 43.1% women, whereas pregnancy termination was requested by 15.6%. Conclusions Reference virology centers and ad hoc trained and experienced physicians are required for accurate diagnosis of primary infection in pregnancy and ensuing counseling. Prenatal diagnosis has a central role in the management of pregnancies complicated by primary HCMV infection. HCMV-seronegative women should receive adequate information.

Please cite this paper as: Fabbri E, Revello M, Furione M, Zavattoni M, Lilleri D, Tassis B, Quarenghi A, Rustico M, Nicolini U, Ferrazzi E, Gerna G. Prognostic markers of symptomatic congenital human cytomegalovirus infection in fetal blood. BJOG 2011;118:448–456. Objective To identify fetal cord blood prognostic markers of symptomatic congenital human cytomegalovirus infection (HCMV). Design Retrospective observational study. Setting Fetal medicine unit in Milan and Medical virology unit in Pavia, Italy. Population HCMV-infected and -uninfected fetuses of mothers with primary HCMV infection during the period 1995–2009. Methods Overall, 94 blood samples from as many fetuses of 93 pregnant women experiencing primary HCMV infection were examined for multiple immunological, haematological and biochemical markers as well as virological markers. Congenital HCMV infection was diagnosed by detection of virus in amniotic fluid, and symptomatic/asymptomatic infections were determined by ultrasound scans, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, histopathology or clinical examination at birth. Blood sample markers were retrospectively compared in symptomatic and asymptomatic fetuses with congenital infection. Main outcome measures A statistical analysis was performed to determine the value of each parameter in predicting outcome. Results Univariate analysis showed that most nonviral and viral markers were significantly different in symptomatic (n = 16) compared with asymptomatic (n = 31) fetuses. Receiver operator characteristics analysis indicated that, with reference to an established cutoff for each marker, the best nonviral factors for differentiation of symptomatic from asymptomatic congenital infection were β2-microglobulin and platelet count, and the best virological markers were immunoglobulin M antibody and DNAaemia. β2-Microglobulin alone or the combination of these four markers reached the optimal diagnostic efficacy. Conclusions The determination of multiple markers in fetal blood, following virus detection in amniotic fluid samples, is predictive of perinatal outcome in fetuses with HCMV infection.

Objective The technique used to perform transabdominal chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is not standardized, but aspiration of villi is generally obtained by discontinuous vacuum created in a syringe, manually or by a hand-grip device. We evaluated the feasibility of a new method of performing CVS which employs a 4-mL Vacutainer® connected to the needle, producing a continuous negative pressure. Methods Two hundred pregnant women, whose gestational age ranged from 10 + 2 to 16 + 2 (mean, 12 + 1) weeks, entered the randomized study, which was powered to detect with 90% probability the absence of any difference in the size of chorionic samples obtained by using a 20-mL syringe with the vacuum obtained by a hand-grip device (Group 1) or by a vacutainer (Group 2). Four operators with different levels of experience performed all the procedures, which were done transabdominally using a freehand technique with a 20-gauge needle under ultrasound guidance. Results Maternal age, body mass index, gestational age and the way the needle was inserted within the chorion were similar in the two groups. The median amount of villi sampled was 20 mg, with no differences between the two groups. The rate of fetal loss was 1.7%. All losses occurred in women of Group 1 who had only one needle insertion. A second needle insertion was required more frequently while using the vacutainer. Conclusion This new technique for performing transabdominal CVS uses a readily available device and is as effective as traditional sampling systems to aspirate villi. It has the advantage of being a one-operator procedure. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The evaluation of renal function in fetuses with lower urinary tract obstruction by analysis of electrolytes and beta2-microglobulin in fetal urine has limitations. We measured fetal serum beta2-microglobulin before and after bladder shunting to evaluate renal function.A total of 12 fetuses with lower urinary tract obstruction underwent vesicoamniotic shunting. In addition to the standard evaluation of urinary electrolytes and beta2-microglobulin, fetal renal status was assessed by pre-shunt and post-shunt fetal serum beta2-microglobulin.At 2 to 4 weeks after shunting 2 of the 12 fetuses had persistent oligohydramnios, demonstrated increased values of serum beta2-microglobulin and were confirmed to have renal dysplasia. In the remaining 10 fetuses there was reaccumulation of amniotic fluid for a minimum of 4 weeks after shunting. Serum beta2-microglobulin values increased after shunting in 4 fetuses, all of which developed renal failure, whereas serum beta2-microglobulin did not change or was decreased after shunting in 6, of which 4 had normal renal function at latest followup.Urinary electrolytes, urinary beta2-microglobulin and pre-shunt serum beta2-microglobulin, whether increased or normal, failed to be predictive of potential response to prenatal intervention. Serial samples of fetal blood may provide distinction between patients who do and do not respond to prenatal treatment of lower urinary tract obstruction.

Given the difficulty in establishing the exact time of HCMV transmission from mother to fetus, HCMV intrauterine infection was investigated in 46 infected fetuses/newborns by correlating maternal and fetal parameters with clinical outcome according to the time interval between the onset of maternal infection and prenatal diagnosis. In detail, 17/28 (60.7%) asymptomatic and 18/18 (100%) symptomatic fetuses/newborns were infected as a consequence of a primary maternal HCMV infection acquired ≤8 weeks of gestational age, while 11/28 (39.3%) asymptomatic and 0/18 (0%) symptomatic fetuses/newborns were congenitally infected when maternal infection was acquired8 weeks' gestation. Symptomatic fetal infections appeared to be associated with a maternal primary infection occurring at ≤ 8 weeks' gestation. Cordocentesis performed at 20 weeks' gestation should be restricted to high risk infected fetuses.

Main points: twin pregnancies and twin fetuses characteristics of, intrapair stimulation indicator of proprioceptive and tactile sensitivity, and of sensorimotor inhibition within states, behavioral distinctiveness, a unique intrauterine environment. Myths: social life in utero and longing and loss in the twin fetus.

Three cases of placental chorioangiomas, from 6.5 to 10 cm in diameter, were diagnosed prenatally by ultrasound and color Doppler imaging at 21–34 weeks of gestation. In 1 case, due to fetal hydrops a

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to establish a reference range of fetal serum β 2 -microglobulin, an index of glomerular filtration rate, and to compare the values obtained in fetuses with urinary tract anomalies with this range. STUDY DESIGN: Serum β 2 -microglobulin was measured in 53 control fetuses at 18 to 39 weeks' gestation and in 14 fetuses with urinary tract anomalies, 9 of which had simultaneous urine sampling. RESULTS: In controls fetal serum β 2 -microglobulin had a mean value of 3.4 mg/L (95% data intervals 2.0 to 4.9) and did not correlate with gestational age. In the 14 fetuses with urinary tract anomalies β 2 -microglobulin levels were increased overall compared with controls (median Z score 1.7, range −0.1 to 9.2), and this was also the case in the five fetuses with unilateral renal disorders (median Z score 1.7, range −0.1 to 3.8) and in a fetus who underwent vesicoamniotic shunting and had normal renal function at birth. Serum β 2 -microglobulin was normal in 4 fetuses with bilateral urinary tract obstruction and normal function at postnatal follow-up and also in 1 of 5 fetuses with renal failure. In fetuses with bilateral uropathy urinary sodium correlated with serum β 2 -microglobulin levels. CONCLUSIONS: Increased values of serum β 2 -microglobulin in fetuses with urinary tract anomalies indicate an impaired glomerular filtration rate. The finding of raised concentrations in fetuses with unilateral damage suggests that the compensatory role of the normal kidney is not complete during intrauterine life. Larger series are required to ascertain whether fetal blood sampling is warranted in the antenatal investigation of renal function, especially in view of the close correlation between urinary sodium and serum β 2 -microglobulin levels in fetuses with bilateral obstruction. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1997;176:54-7.)

Seventy-one fetal urine samples were taken from the bladder or renal pelvis of 33 fetuses at 13-36 weeks' gestation with a diagnosis of urinary tract anomaly. Severe isolated hydronephrosis in the absence of an enlarged bladder was the indication for sampling in 12/33 fetuses (26 samples), who were retrospectively classified into three groups: normal, intermediate, and dysplastic, based on the evaluation of postnatal renal function or histology. For all samples, urinary sodium (Na+), calcium (Ca2+), creatinine, beta 2-microglobulin, and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) were measured. Among the 71 fetal urine samples, both beta 2-microglobulin and NAG correlated inversely with gestational age, Na+, and Ca2+, but not with creatinine concentrations. However, the correlation of urinary beta 2-microglobulin with gestational age was dependent on the Na+ and Ca2+ concentrations, whereas urinary NAG correlated significantly with urinary Na+ and Ca2+, and also with gestational age. In fetuses with isolated hydronephrosis, only Na+, and not Ca2+, was significantly related to both beta 2-microglobulin and NAG. Only Na+ and beta 2-microglobulin were significantly, and similarly, higher in both dysplastic and intermediate kidneys when compared with fetuses with normal postnatal function. If only the last urine sampled was considered, there was overlapping of all parameters in the three groups. In isolated hydronephrosis, only the most extreme forms of renal failure might be suggested by elevated levels of Na+, Ca2+, beta 2-microglobulin, and NAG, without an obvious superiority of any of these parameters.

Fifteen fetuses at risk of congenital human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection underwent prenatal diagnosis at 16-30 weeks' gestation by a combination of amniocentesis and fetal blood sampling. HCMV was isolated from the amniotic fluid in six patients, but HCMV-specific IgM was detected in only three of them. Two of the nine neonates, who were delivered following a negative prenatal diagnosis, had congenital HCMV infection diagnosed by virus isolation in the urine. The interval from infection to prenatal testing was 3 and 4 weeks in the two false-negative cases andor = 7 weeks in the true-positive cases. Although timely testing for HCMV infection allows the option of termination of pregnancy, it may be flawed by false-negative results.

To assess the diagnostic and prognostic value of fetal cerebral magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in comparison with that of level II ultrasonography (US).Institutional review board approval and informed consent for fetal MR imaging and data collection were obtained. Thirty-eight fetuses with CMV infection, examined by using serial level II US, underwent fetal MR imaging (mean gestational age, 25 weeks; age range at first fetal MR examination, 20-34 weeks). The frequency of pathologic findings at US (29 cases with transabdominal examination and nine cases with both transabdominal and transvaginal examination) and MR imaging was calculated, and a comparison between techniques by considering number (paired Student t test) and type (McNemar test) of finding was made. A comparison (paired Student t test) in cases of repeated fetal (nine of 38) and/or postnatal (14 of 38) MR imaging was obtained. Diagnostic and prognostic sensitivity was calculated for both techniques.US and MR imaging findings were both normal in 47% of cases (18 of 38). Abnormal studies were reported in 26% (10 of 38) of US and 53% (20 of 38) of MR imaging cases. In 47% of cases (18 of 38), MR imaging provided additional information (P = .0002). MR imaging had better results than US in detecting polar temporal lesions (P = .0001), microencephaly (P = .03), and cortical anomalies (P = .06). In 44.5% of cases (four of nine), the second fetal MR examination results showed new findings (P = .05). In 79% of cases, postnatal MR imaging results confirmed prenatal findings (P = .08). MR imaging had higher sensitivity than US in detecting brain anomalies (92% vs 38%) and in predicting symptomatic infection (83% vs 33%). US and MR imaging revealed low positive predictive values (29% vs 36%).Fetal MR imaging results can show abnormalities in the fetal brain after CMV infection, even when US results are normal. The early detection of some brain abnormalities, such as microencephaly and cortical anomalies, may substantially influence the prognosis of fetal infection.

Since time immemorial twin births have been perceived as an extraordinary, often disquieting phenomenon. Many legends and myths flourished around their origins. Twins were thought to be the result of adultery, considered as the incarnation of evil spirits and ancestors, or, as in the myth of Castor and Pollux, one was regarded as having godly origins and the other not.

The objective of this work was to investigate the emergence of intrapair stimulation between twin fetuses and the presence of possible changes in types and percentage of evoked patterns with advancing gestational age. The existence of intrapair stimulation would indicate the functioning of fetal tactile and proprioceptive sensibility. This was studied from video recordings of 30 min ultrasonographic observations of 8 twin pregnancies at 8, 9 and 10 weeks gestational age, of 20 twin pregnancies at 11,12 and 13 weeks and of 20 twin pregnancies studied with 60 min observations at 15–16, 18–19 and 21–22 weeks. All age groups were subdivided in Monochorionic (Mc) and Dichorionic (Dc) pregnancies. Intrapair stimulation before 11 weeks gestational age is an exceptional event. Due to greater spatial contiguity and thinness of the membrane dividing the two amniotic sacs in Mc pregnancies, it was noted only in these. From 12 weeks onwards, evoked movements began to be observed in Dc pregnancies as well. After the 15 th week, intrapair stimulation is a constant and increasing feature of all twin gestations. Movements vary from generalized bodily activity to being progressively localized. No specific evoked movement patterns were observed.

Ten fetuses with hydronephrosis underwent one to seven urine sampling procedures at 23 to 36 weeks' gestation to evaluate renal function. Postnatally, the infants' renal function was assessed by a combination of serum creatinine measurement, ultrasonography, and renal scintigraphy. Six infants had pyelo-ureteric junction obstruction, two had megabladder with megaureter, and two had vesico-ureteric reflux. All infants had normal serum creatinine levels at the time of postnatal follow-up, but five of the seven with unilateral involvement had moderate or severe renal damage. Abnormal urinary electrolyte concentrations were found antenatally in only two of them. For the three infants with bilateral hydronephrosis, postnatal evaluation showed moderately or severely damaged kidneys despite prenatal evidence of normal biochemical indexes. Fetal urine electrolyte measurement may be accurate in the diagnosis of renal dysplasia, but its sensitivity is poor in predicting moderate renal dysfunction.

Overt hyperthyroidism was found in a 35-year-old pregnant woman at the 13th week of gestation who was referred to us for tachycardia, tremors, and weight loss. Clinical signs, symptoms, and laboratory findings led to the diagnosis of toxic thyroid nodule. She was treated with ultrasound guided percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) and, after 2 weeks of treatment, the woman was completely euthyroid. These findings suggest that during pregnancy PEI appears to be a rapid and safe therapy for toxic nodular goiter and an effective alternative to the administration of antithyroid drugs.

The umbilical artery, aorta, and middle cerebral artery pulsatility indices were investigated by pulsed Doppler ultrasound in 73 fetuses at 18-37 weeks of gestation, before and after fetal blood sampling performed either at the placental cord insertion (n = 46) or at the intrahepatic vein (n = 27). At the end of the procedure, after randomization, 35 fetuses were infused amounts of normal saline equal to the blood volume withdrawn, and 38 fetuses served as controls. Following blood sampling, the umbilical artery pulsatility indices decreased both in controls (p = 0.004) and in the saline group (p = 0.006). The middle cerebral artery velocity waveforms exhibited similar changes only in controls (p = 0.01), and no changes in fetal heart rate and aortic pulsatility indices were recorded in either group. The changes in blood flow velocity waveforms did not correlate with gestational age and the blood volume sampled, and were similar whether the site of sampling was the placental cord insertion or the intrahepatic vein. In 10 acidemic and/or hypoxemic fetuses, pulsatility indices in the umbilical and middle cerebral arteries were not modified by the blood sampling procedure. The release of vasoactive substances is most likely the cause of diminished vascular resistances following fetal blood sampling. Hypoxemic/acidemic fetuses may fail to mount a normal vasodilative response to needle puncture.