Polish Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians Recommendations on diagnosis and management of fetal growth restriction

Polish Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians Recommendations on  diagnosis and management of fetal growth restrictio

Fetal pulmonary and cerebral artery Doppler velocumetry in normal and high risk pregnancy.

Studies on fetal lung/brain circulation by means of power Doppler technique have suggested a marked reduction in lung perfusion in high-risk pregnancies as a sign of circulation redistribution. The ratio between lung/brain perfusion might therefore give a new method to predict fetal circulation centralization

Fetal pulmonary and cerebral artery Doppler velocimetry in normal and high risk pregnancy

Studies on fetal lung/brain circulation by means of power Doppler technique have suggested a marked reduction in lung perfusion in high-risk pregnancies as a sign of circulation redistribution. The ratio between lung/brain perfusion might therefore give a new method to predict fetal circulation centralization. Objective: The aim of the present study was to obtain fetal lung and cerebral artery ratio in normal and high-risk pregnancies. Study design: Doppler samples from proximal right pulmonary artery blood velocities and middle cerebral artery (MCA) were recorded cross-sectionally in 228 normal singleton pregnancies at gestational age 22 to 40 weeks. MCA / right pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PO ratio was calculated. Doppler samples from proximal right pulmonary artery and MCA were also recorded in 89 high-risk singleton pregnancies and the results related to perinatal outcome. Results: In the normal controls, right pulmonary artery PI remained stable until 30 weeks of gestation with slight increase thereafter until term. The MCA to right pulmonary artery PI ratio increased between 22 and 28 weeks of gestation with the rapid fall towards term. In the high-risk pregnancies group, right pulmonary artery PI showed no significant correlation to perinatal outcome, but signs of brain-sparing in the MCA were correlated to all adverse outcome parameters. Conclusion: Velocimetry of the middle cerebral artery is better than velocimetry of right pulmonary artery in predicting adverse outcome of pregnancy The brain/lung PI ratio does not improve the prediction of adverse outcome of pregnancy

Higher Serum Hepatocyte Growth Factor Concentration is Associated with Better Preservation of GFR in Hemodialysis Patients

Background/Aims: Hemodialysis induces an intravascular inflammatory reaction which may further deteriorate renal function. We studied changes of serum interleukin 6 (IL6) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) concentrations during dialysis sessions, and at 12 month intervals. The synthesis of these cytokines in arterial endothelial cells in the presence of serum obtained from dialyzed patients was studied. Changes of the inflammatory reaction during 12 months of treatment were correlated with GFR. Methods: The study was performed on a group of 30 uremic patients treated with hemodialysis. Serum samples were collected before the start of dialysis, 15 minutes, and 4 hours later, when the session was finished. Serum levels of IL6 and HGF were measured with ELISA, as was the effect of serum samples on the synthesis of these cytokines in arterial endothelial cells. Results: At baseline hemodialysis induced an increase of serum IL6 (+10%) and HGF (+164%) levels at the end of the session. After 12 months of treatment predialysis serum IL 6 level was increased as compared to the beginning of the study (+22%), but no change in serum HGF level was observed. At that time the dialysis-induced rise of serum IL6 level was stronger than at the start (+18%), but the observed effect for HGF was weaker (+116%). An inverse correlation was observed between the dialysis-induced increase of HGF level and decrease of GFR after 12 months of study. The same relation was seen for HGF synthesis in the endothelium, but opposite for IL6 synthesis in the endothelium. Conclusions: We found that a higher HGF serum level during hemodialysis treatment is associated with a slower loss of residual renal function

Fetal biometry between 20-42 weeks of gestation for Polish population

Objective: Ultrasound estimating of fetal weight is one of the most frequent examinations during pregnancy. Hitherto, foreign fetometry curves have mostly been used in Poland as there are no national available reference charts that are based on ultrasound fetal biometry. The aim of the present study was to construct new charts based on ultrasound fetometry reference for Polish population. Study design: A group of 959 healthy volunteers with uncomplicated singleton pregnancy joined in a cross-sectional study. The study was designed prospectively to evaluate normal reference charts for fetal ultrasound measurements and estimated fetal weight. Four biometric parameters were studied: biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HQ abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL). Estimated fetal weight (EFW) was calculated using Hadlock et al. formula from 1985. Results: In the course of normal pregnancy an acceleration of growth rate was seen, but with a slight decline at the end of pregnancy, Reference curves for mean, 90th and 95th percentile were constructed for BPD, HC, AC and FL. Estimated fetal weight curves were outlined for both boys and girls. Conclusion: Reference charts for Polish population are similar to foreign curves. Less variation was seen in comparison with national charts based on postnatal weight. Ultrasound method seems to be better than birthweight curves especially in preterm pregnancies. This will improve the diagnosis of a small for gestational age newborn