Nomogram for second trimester corpus callosum measurements: are nomograms reliable?

Objective: To define normal values of second trimester fetal corpus callosum (CC) length and width in a low-risk population and to compare the presented nomograms to those in the literature. Methods: The prenatal records of singleton fetuses who underwent second trimester anomaly screening at 18.0–22.0 weeks of pregnancy were retrospectively analyzed for CC width and length. A total of 710 fetuses, whose anomaly scans were completely normal, were included in the study. The correlations between CC and biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC) and gestational age (GA) were evaluated. Results: At 18.0–22.0 weeks of pregnancy, the mean CC length was 19.7±2.8 mm, while the mean CC thickness was 1.98±0.4 mm. In assessment of the correlations between the CC length and thickness values and the HC, BPD and GA values by Pearson’s correlation coefficient, there was a stronger correlation between the CC length measurements and the BPD, HC and GA values (r=0.233 vs r=0.505, p<0.001). Conclusion: Assessment of the presence of corpus callosum as well as its length and thickness during routine fetal anomaly evaluation may be important owing to the relationship between corpus callosum measurements and certain neurological disorders. Studies indicate that populations should create their own nomograms due to different values reported in the literature

Does maternal serum progesterone level in early pregnancy predict placental dysfunction in third trimester?

Objective Progesterone, which is necessary for maintenance of pregnancy, is secreted by corpus luteum until 10 weeks of gestation, and is produced from the placenta afterwards. Aim of this study is to investigate the relationship of serum progesterone concentrations measured in 6–8 weeks and 12 weeks of gestation with the parameters that may demonstrate placental dysfunction in the third trimester. Methods Relationship of the progesterone values measured at 6–8 weeks and 12 weeks of gestation with indicators of placental dysfunction, including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm delivery and low birth weight, were evaluated. Furthermore, based on a previous study, two groups with progesterone levels below and above 11 ng/mL in early pregnancy were formed, and the difference between these groups regarding gestational outcomes were investigated. Results Progesterone concentrations at 6–8 and 12 weeks of gestation were not significantly different between the subgroups with and without gestational complications indicating placental dysfunction (p>0.05 for all parameters). As for the two groups, significant difference was not found in terms of third trimester complications due to progesterone cut-off of 11 ng/mL at 6-8 weeks of gestation. Conclusion In this study, we did not find progesterone values measured at early and late first trimester periods to be associated with placental dysfunction in the third trimester. Also, we did not validate a previously suggested threshold value to predict gestational outcome. Therefore, routine first trimester progesterone screening in guiding pregnancy follow-up may not be appropriate

Reappraisal of the relationship between 24-hour proteinuria and preeclampsia in terms of the maternal and perinatal outcomes

Objective This study evaluated the association between proteinuria levels and maternal, and perinatal outcomes of preeclampsia patients and determined the cutoff values for predicting severe complications. Methods We retrospectively evaluated the records of 412 patients with proteinuric preeclampsia. Results Median proteinuria levels were significantly higher in patients with severe maternal and adverse perinatal outcomes than in those without such outcomes, except in cases of placental abruption and late preterm delivery. Conclusion Proteinuria levels may aid in diagnosing preeclampsia and indicating early intervention. The revised guidelines do not suggest that proteinuria encountered during pregnancy is clinically insignificant