Number of episodes of reduced fetal movement at term: methodological considerations

International audienceWe read with great interest the paper by Scala et al. who assessed the value of reduced fetalmovements (RFM), showing that repeated RFM at term were strongly associated with smallfor-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses and infants.(1) Moreover, they found that RFM were morelikely to occur in women with high second trimester uterine artery (UtA) Doppler resistanceindices. This conclusion was based on a logistic regression analysis

Limited Dorsal Myeloschisis: A Diagnostic Pitfall in the Prenatal Ultrasound of Fetal Dysraphism

International audienceObjective: To determine the ultrasonographic characteristics of limited dorsal myeloschisis (LDM) at prenatal ultrasound (US) and to highlight the main features that may help differentiate LDM and myelomeningocele (MMC). Methods: In a tertiary reference center in fetal medicine, we prospectively collected the medical data and ultrasonographic characteristics of all patients referred for in utero prenatal repair of MMC between November 1, 2013 and April 30, 2015. Results: Among the 29 patients assessed, the diagnosis of MMC was revised in 7 cases. In 6 cases, the diagnosis of LDM was established. On US scan, LDM was characterized by a spinal saccular lesion with a thick peripheral lining in continuity with the adjacent skin. Within the saccular lesion, a thick hyperechoic well-delineated structure was present in continuity with the spinal cord. Cerebral structures were normal except for 2 cases showing a cisterna magna slightly decreased in size. In the remaining 22 cases MMC was confirmed, with cerebral anomalies present in 21/22 cases (95.5%). Conclusion: LDM is a form of closed dysraphism accessible to prenatal diagnosis by US that may mimic MMC. Considering the major difference in prognosis between these two entities, physicians should be aware of the existence and ultrasonographic characteristics of LDM

Patterns of Detection of Fetal Posterior Fossa Anomalies: Analysis of 81 Cases in the Second Half of Gestation

&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Objective:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; To establish which characteristics of fetal ultrasound screening lead to the diagnosis of posterior fossa (PF) anomalies. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Methods:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; A total of 81 fetuses with PF anomalies diagnosed after dedicated neuroimaging between July 1, 2007, and January 1, 2013, were included. The ultrasound characteristics of the fetal cerebellum categorized according to an anatomical approach to the PF, associated fetal anomalies, gestational age at diagnosis, and the potential benefits from systematic measurement of the transverse cerebellar diameter (TCD) were analyzed. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Fifty fetuses (61.7%) presented with a PF malformation responsible for an increased “fluid-filled” space of the PF, 24 fetuses (29.6%) had a malformation associated with a decreased cerebellar biometry, 23 fetuses (28.4%) had an abnormal cerebellar anatomy and/or echogenicity, and 2 fetuses (2.4%) showed an isolated malformation of the brainstem. Forty-seven cases (58%) showed additional cerebral or extracerebral anomalies, which led to the diagnosis of PF anomaly in 55.3% of the cases. Isolated PF anomalies were associated with an increased “fluid-filled” space of the PF in 91.2% of the cases. Twenty-eight fetuses had a TCD measurement considered as pathological. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Discussion:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Examination of the transcerebellar plane during 2nd- and 3rd-trimester ultrasound screening combined with systematic measurement of the TCD would allow improving the detection of PF anomalies.</jats:p

Prognosis of Fetal Parenchymal Cerebral Lesions without Ventriculomegaly in Congenital Toxoplasmosis Infection

Objective: To evaluate the neurodevelopmental and ocular outcome of a continuous retrospective series of fetal toxoplasmosis infections for which prenatal ultrasound (US) follow-up revealed abnormal cerebral findings without associated ventriculomegaly. Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed all cases of proven fetal Toxoplasma gondii infection with fetal cerebral anomalies at US examination without significant ventriculomegaly (≥10 mm) evaluated in our center over a 5-year period. US and magnetic resonance imaging findings were collected. The neurodevelopmental and ocular outcomes of the cases were studied. Results: Nine fetuses were included. Hyperechogenic foci of the cerebral parenchyma were isolated in five cases. Among those, four children had normal neurological development. Amblyopia was detected in on case. Hyperechogenic foci were associated with other anomalies of cerebral parenchyma in three cases among which two children had normal neurological development. Termination of pregnancy was performed in three cases: one case within the context of severe maternal schizophrenia with isolated hyperechogenic foci, one case where hyperechogenic foci were associated with extensive lesions of the white matter, and one case for severe fetal hydrops. Conclusion: The neurological prognosis of cerebral hyperechogenic lesions without ventriculomegaly in fetal toxoplasmosis infection may be favorable. The risk of ocular damage however remains high and unpredictable in the prenatal period

Prognosis of Fetal Parenchymal Cerebral Lesions without Ventriculomegaly in Congenital Toxoplasmosis Infection

Objective: To evaluate the neurodevelopmental and ocular outcome of a continuous retrospective series of fetal toxoplasmosis infections for which prenatal ultrasound (US) follow-up revealed abnormal cerebral findings without associated ventriculomegaly. Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed all cases of proven fetal Toxoplasma gondii infection with fetal cerebral anomalies at US examination without significant ventriculomegaly (≥10 mm) evaluated in our center over a 5-year period. US and magnetic resonance imaging findings were collected. The neurodevelopmental and ocular outcomes of the cases were studied. Results: Nine fetuses were included. Hyperechogenic foci of the cerebral parenchyma were isolated in five cases. Among those, four children had normal neurological development. Amblyopia was detected in on case. Hyperechogenic foci were associated with other anomalies of cerebral parenchyma in three cases among which two children had normal neurological development. Termination of pregnancy was performed in three cases: one case within the context of severe maternal schizophrenia with isolated hyperechogenic foci, one case where hyperechogenic foci were associated with extensive lesions of the white matter, and one case for severe fetal hydrops. Conclusion: The neurological prognosis of cerebral hyperechogenic lesions without ventriculomegaly in fetal toxoplasmosis infection may be favorable. The risk of ocular damage however remains high and unpredictable in the prenatal period

Pregnancy outcome after first trimester exposure to ionizing radiations

International audienceOBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of ionizing radiation exposure during the first trimester of pregnancy in usual clinical situations.STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study using data collected between 1987 and 2014. This database was authorized by the French "Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés". The exposed group consisted of 319 pregnant women exposed to sub diaphragmatic ionizing radiations for diagnostic purposes, during the first trimester of pregnancy, and the control group consisted of 319 pregnant women without any exposure or exposed to non-teratogenic agents. Data on maternal history and radiations exposure were collected on first contact, and pregnancy outcomes were documented at follow-up. An univariate analysis was performed to compare both groups for the main outcomes.RESULTS: Exposure to sub diaphragmatic ionizing radiation for diagnosis purpose (median fetal dose of 3.1 mGy [0.2-130.0]) during the first trimester of pregnancy was not significantly associated with an increased risk of malformations (1.5% vs 1.8%, p = 1.00), miscarriage (7.8% vs 7.2%, p = 0.88), in utero fetal death (0.3% vs 0%, p = 1.00) or fetal growth restriction (5.4% vs 3.5%, p = 0.62).CONCLUSION: Pregnant women exposed to irradiant diagnostic procedures do not present a higher risk of malformations, miscarriage, in utero fetal death or fetal growth restriction and should be reassured, even if the examination focused on the pelvis

Pregnancy outcome after first trimester exposure to ionizing radiations

International audienceOBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of ionizing radiation exposure during the first trimester of pregnancy in usual clinical situations.STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study using data collected between 1987 and 2014. This database was authorized by the French "Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés". The exposed group consisted of 319 pregnant women exposed to sub diaphragmatic ionizing radiations for diagnostic purposes, during the first trimester of pregnancy, and the control group consisted of 319 pregnant women without any exposure or exposed to non-teratogenic agents. Data on maternal history and radiations exposure were collected on first contact, and pregnancy outcomes were documented at follow-up. An univariate analysis was performed to compare both groups for the main outcomes.RESULTS: Exposure to sub diaphragmatic ionizing radiation for diagnosis purpose (median fetal dose of 3.1 mGy [0.2-130.0]) during the first trimester of pregnancy was not significantly associated with an increased risk of malformations (1.5% vs 1.8%, p = 1.00), miscarriage (7.8% vs 7.2%, p = 0.88), in utero fetal death (0.3% vs 0%, p = 1.00) or fetal growth restriction (5.4% vs 3.5%, p = 0.62).CONCLUSION: Pregnant women exposed to irradiant diagnostic procedures do not present a higher risk of malformations, miscarriage, in utero fetal death or fetal growth restriction and should be reassured, even if the examination focused on the pelvis