Medicolegal cases against obstetricians

We read the article on a retrospective, observational study of medicolegal cases against obstetricians and gynaecologists in South Africa (SA)’s private sector with interest. On the surface, there is some good news for obstetrics. Contrary to expectations and international experience, the article suggests that medicolegal notifications for gynaecological mishaps are now (at least financially) a greater concern than obstetric claims.http://www.samj.org.zadm2022Obstetrics and Gynaecolog

Ultrasound markers for prediction of complex gastroschisis and adverse outcome:longitudinal prospective nationwide cohort study

Contains fulltext : 220734.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)OBJECTIVES: To identify antenatal ultrasound markers that can differentiate between simple and complex gastroschisis and assess their predictive value. METHODS: This was a prospective nationwide study of pregnancies with isolated fetal gastroschisis that underwent serial longitudinal ultrasound examination at regular specified intervals between 20 and 37 weeks' gestation. The primary outcome was simple or complex (i.e. involving bowel atresia, volvulus, perforation or necrosis) gastroschisis at birth. Fetal biometry (abdominal circumference and estimated fetal weight), the occurrence of polyhydramnios, intra- and extra-abdominal bowel diameters and the pulsatility index (PI) of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) were assessed. Linear mixed modeling was used to compare the individual trajectories of cases with simple and those with complex gastroschisis, and logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the strength of association between the ultrasound parameters and outcome. RESULTS: Of 104 pregnancies with isolated fetal gastroschisis included, four ended in intrauterine death. Eighty-one (81%) liveborn infants with simple and 19 (19%) with complex gastroschisis were included in the analysis. We found no relationship between fetal biometric variables and complex gastroschisis. The SMA-PI was significantly lower in fetuses with gastroschisis than in healthy controls, but did not differentiate between simple and complex gastroschisis. Both intra- and extra-abdominal bowel diameters were larger in cases with complex, compared to those with simple, gastroschisis (P /= 97.7(th) percentile on at least three occasions, not necessarily on successive examinations, was associated with an increased risk of the fetus having complex gastroschisis (relative risk, 1.56 (95% CI, 1.02-2.10); P = 0.006; positive predictive value, 50.0%; negative predictive value, 81.4%). CONCLUSIONS: This large prospective longitudinal study found that intra-abdominal bowel dilatation when present repeatedly during fetal development can differentiate between simple and complex gastroschisis; however, the positive predictive value is low, and therefore the clinical usefulness of this marker is limited. (c) 2019 Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Ultrasound markers for prediction of complex gastroschisis and adverse outcome: longitudinal prospective nationwide cohort study

Objectives: To identify antenatal ultrasound markers that can differentiate between simple and complex gastroschisis and assess their predictive value. Methods: This was a prospective nationwide study of pregnancies with isolated fetal gastroschisis that underwent serial longitudinal ultrasound examination at regular specified intervals between 20 and 37 weeks' gestation. The primary outcome was simple or complex (i.e. involving bowel atresia, volvulus, perforation or necrosis) gastroschisis at birth. Fetal biometry (abdominal circumference and estimated fetal weight), the occurrence of polyhydramnios, intra- and extra-abdominal bowel diameters and the pulsatility index (PI) of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) were assessed. Linear mixed modeling was used to compare the individual trajectories of cases with simple and those with complex gastroschisis, and logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the strength of association between the ultrasound parameters and outcome. Results: Of 104 pregnancies with isolated fetal gastroschisis included, four ended in intrauterine death. Eighty-one (81%) liveborn infants with simple and 19 (19%) with complex gastroschisis were included in the analysis. We found no relationship between fetal biometric variables and complex gastroschisis. The SMA-PI was significantly lower in fetuses with gastroschisis than in healthy controls, but did not differentiate between simple and complex gastroschisis. Both intra- and extra-abdominal bowel diameters were larger in cases with complex, compared to those with simple, gastroschisis (P < 0.001 and P < 0.005, respectively). The presence of intra-abdominal bowel diameter ≥ 97.7th percentile on at least three occasions, not necessarily on successive examinations, was associated with an increased risk of the fetus having complex gastroschisis (relative risk, 1.56 (95% CI, 1.02–2.10); P = 0.006; positive predictive value, 50.0%; negative predictive value, 81.4%). Conclusions: This large prospective longitudinal study found that intra-abdominal bowel dilatation when present repeatedly during fetal development can differentiate between simple and complex gastroschisis; however, the positive predictive value is low, and therefore the clinical usefulness of this marker is limited

Imaging of the fetal central nervous system

Introduction : Ultrasound and MR imaging of the fetal central nervous system (CNS) develop at an ever-increasing rate. Theoretically, the two modalities should be synergistic, but a literature review revealed the difficulties of determining the merit of either technique and revealed gaps in our knowledge of imaging normal development of the fetal CNS. Physiology: We obtained three dimensional (3D) images of the embryonic ventricular system with the aid of software developed to chart ovarian follicle development. These images had previously only been produced in research settings. At the same time, ultrasound exposure was limited by using 3D technology. We charted the normal fetal cortical, ventricular and cerebellar development longitudinally, with emphasis on the prevalence and degree of physiological asymmetry. 3D ultrasound proved equal to or better than two dimensional (2D) ultrasound, while limiting the scanning and total examination time. Longitudinal growth curves were generated using multilevel analysis. Pathology: We evaluated the prognostic value of prenatal ultrasound in a retrospective cohort of infants with spina bifida. Multivariate regression analysis showed that lesion level and head circumference were independent predictors of demise. Motor or mental functioning at five years of age could not be predicted by prenatal parameters. The accuracy of lesion level determination improved over time. We studied the prognostic value of Doppler ultrasound measurement of middle cerebral artery pulsatility index (mcaPI) in fetuses with CNS abnormalities and found that fetuses with an increased resistance to flow had an increased risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcome. A rapid rise in mcaPI in fetuses with hydrocephalus was associated with a high risk of demise. An increased mcaPI which subsequently decreased was seen in fetuses with malformations of cortical development, microcephaly and West’s syndrome. A case of an infant that developed malformations of cortical development after intra-uterine transfusion for Parvovirus B19 infection is presented as introduction to the evaluation of our experience with the relative value of ultrasound and MRI. For this evaluation, we reviewed the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound, MRI, and multidisciplinary discussions before and after MRI in a retrospective cohort. The diagnostic accuracy of the multidisciplinary discussion was 62% before and 73% after MRI. The amniotic fluid lactate-creatinine-ratio predicts fetal lacticemia, which is of interest for future research in predicting fetal compromise with MR spectroscopy. Conclusions: It is possible to obtain clear pictures of the cerebral ventricle system at eight gestational weeks, to grade fetal cortical development using a simple scoring system, to limit examination time by using 3D ultrasound and to visualize both lateral ventricles with transabdominal ultrasound by simple 2D and 3D techniques. Asymmetry is a feature of normal fetal brain development. The fetus with a suspected fetal central nervous system lesion should be discussed in a multidisciplinary meeting. Prenatal ultrasound parameters are useful to predict survival, but not functioning, in spina bifida. Abnormal cerebral blood flow in a fetus with a CNS abnormality is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcome. Prospective evaluation is needed to determine the diagnostic value of ultrasound and MRI in fetal CNS abnormalities

Artificial insemination with donor semen [KUNSMATIGE INSEMINASIE MET DONORSEMEN]

EditorialThe original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za[No abstract available]Publisher’s versio

A comparative study using prepared and unprepared frozen semen for donor insemination

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of pericervical insemination with unprepared semen with that of intrauterine insemination with prepared donor semen in a prospective, randomized, crossover clinical trial. Fifty-four subsequent patients who qualified for therapeutic donor insemination were randomized to receive alternately either an intrauterine insemination with thawed frozen donor semen, prepared by double wash and swim-up, or pericervical insemination with unprepared thawed frozen donor semen in subsequent treatment cycles, with each patient serving as her own control. Eleven pregnancies ensued from 54 cycles of intrauterine insemination (20.4% per cycle), and 2 pregnancies ensued from 58 cycles of pericervical insemination (3.4% per cycle, p = .005). Five pregnancies ensued during the first treatment cycle (13.2%), 4 during the second treatment cycle (17.4%), 2 during the third (13.2%), 1 during the fourth (7.1%), and 1 after the fourth treatment cycle (4.8%). The significantly better pregnancy rate from intrauterine insemination with prepared semen supports this treatment option. The decrease in pregnancy rate after the fourth treatment cycle confirms the need for alternative therapy after 4 failed cycles of therapeutic donor insemination.Articl

The fetal profile line: a proposal for a sonographic reference line to classify forehead and mandible anomalies in the second and third trimester

Objectives To test the fetal profile (FP) line, defined as the line that passes through the anterior border of the mandible and the nasion, as a reference line for forehead and mandible anomalies. Methods Volumes of 248 normal and 24 pathological fetuses (1636 and 1937?weeks gestation, respectively) were analysed retrospectively. When the FP line passes anteriorly, across or posteriorly to the frontal bone, this was defined as negative, zero or positive, respectively. When the FP line was positive the distance (F distance) between the FP line and the frontal bone was measured. Results No cases with a negative FP line were found in the normal fetuses. Before 27?weeks gestation the FP line was always zero except in one case. After 27?weeks gestation the FP line was positive in up to 25% (F distance (mean, range): 2.8, 2.13.6?mm). The FP line correctly identified 13 cases with retrognathia, 5 cases with frontal bossing and 3 cases with a sloping forehead. Conclusion Although large prospective studies are needed, the FP line may be a useful tool to detect second trimester profile anomalies such as retrognathia, sloping forehead and frontal bossing with the possibility of quantifying the latter. (c) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Effect of (minor or major) maternal trauma on fetal motility: A prospective study

Fetal motility represents the spontaneous activity of the central nervous system and as such can be used to evaluate its functional integrity. Maternal mechanical trauma in pregnancy is a risk factor for hypoxic ischemic brain injury and can potentially affect the CNS and fetal motility. Aim: To study motility in fetuses after maternal trauma. Study design: Prospective study; 1-h sonographic observations at 2-8h (T1), 24-72h (T2) and >72h (T3) after trauma. Subjects: Fetuses exposed to trauma after 20. weeks gestational age. Outcome measures: Motor aspects; differentiation into specific movement patterns, quality and quantity of general movements were compared to a normal population. Obstetrical outcome; neurological outcome at term and 1year of age. Results: Sixteen fetuses were examined between 2012 and 2014. Median gestational age at time of trauma was 25+6 (range 20-38) weeks. Most traumas were traffic accidents or falls, injuries were mainly minor. Motility assessment showed abnormal differentiation in 2/16; 2/14 and 0/16; abnormal quality in 2/16; 3/14 and 6/16; and abnormal quantity in 6/16, 9/14 and 9/16 at T1, T2 and T3 respectively. Preterm delivery occurred once. Neurological development was normal in 13/14 infants at term and 14/14 at one year. Conclusions: This study shows that maternal trauma affected fetal motility in the majority of the fetuses. The changes in motility support the concern that even minor mechanical trauma may have influence on the functional integrity of the central nervous system, although no neurological sequelae were present at 1year

Ultrasound markers for prediction of complex gastroschisis and adverse outcome: longitudinal prospective nationwide cohort study

OBJECTIVES: To identify antenatal ultrasound markers that can differentiate between simple and complex gastroschisis and assess their predictive value. METHODS: This was a prospective nationwide study of pregnancies with isolated fetal gastroschisis that underwent serial longitudinal ultrasound examination at regular specified intervals between 20 and 37 weeks' gestation. The primary outcome was simple or complex (i.e. involving bowel atresia, volvulus, perforation or necrosis) gastroschisis at birth. Fetal biometry (abdominal circumference and estimated fetal weight), the occurrence of polyhydramnios, intra- and extra-abdominal bowel diameters and the pulsatility index (PI) of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) were assessed. Linear mixed modeling was used to compare the individual trajectories of cases with simple and those with complex gastroschisis, and logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the strength of association between the ultrasound parameters and outcome. RESULTS: Of 104 pregnancies with isolated fetal gastroschisis included, four ended in intrauterine death. Eighty-one (81%) liveborn infants with simple and 19 (19%) with complex gastroschisis were included in the analysis. We found no relationship between fetal biometric variables and complex gastroschisis. The SMA-PI was significantly lower in fetuses with gastroschisis than in healthy controls, but did not differentiate between simple and complex gastroschisis. Both intra- and extra-abdominal bowel diameters were larger in cases with complex, compared to those with simple, gastroschisis (P /= 97.7(th) percentile on at least three occasions, not necessarily on successive examinations, was associated with an increased risk of the fetus having complex gastroschisis (relative risk, 1.56 (95% CI, 1.02-2.10); P = 0.006; positive predictive value, 50.0%; negative predictive value, 81.4%). CONCLUSIONS: This large prospective longitudinal study found that intra-abdominal bowel dilatation when present repeatedly during fetal development can differentiate between simple and complex gastroschisis; however, the positive predictive value is low, and therefore the clinical usefulness of this marker is limited. (c) 2019 Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology