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Background: developmental dysplasia of the hip has an incidence of 3–5 out of 1000 children. Currently, only postnatal screening is available. Objective: to test the feasibility of a method based on Graf technique application at antenatal ultrasound in assessing the normal development of the hip in unselected term fetuses. Methods: a prospective cohort study in a single university tertiary hospital from January 2017 to January 2020. Single uncomplicated term pregnancies (37–40 weeks) attending our center for routine ultrasound were consecutively recruited for the purpose of the study. A 3D volume acquisition was launched on the coxofemoral joint of the fetus by a single expert operator, and offline analysis was then performed in the multiplanar mode by two operators (blinded to each other analysis) in order to measure the alpha and beta angles according to our modified Graf technique. Intra- and inter-observer variations were calculated. Reference charts for normal values of both angles were produced. Postnatal ultrasound was then performed to measure the Graf angles in newborns, confirming a normal development of the hip. Results: in the study period, 433 uncomplicated term pregnancies underwent 3D ultrasound for the assessment of the fetal hip. One case was subsequently excluded because of confirmed postnatal diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip. The measurement of our modified Graf angles was feasible at prenatal ultrasound with a good reproducibility. The inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of both angles was substantial. Reference charts for normal values of both angles were produced. Conclusions: the evaluation of the coxofemoral joint in fetuses at term of gestation has never been attempted before. The Graf technique application, currently employed at postnatal ultrasound, may also be adapted to prenatal ultrasound with a substantial reproducibility. However, there was no evidence of a linear relationship between prenatal and postnatal alpha angles and beta angles. Further research is needed to establish if developmental dysplasia of the hip could be diagnosed antenatally.

Introduction: The objective of this randomized controlled study was to demonstrate whether acoustic stimulation in utero is associated with fetal reactivity which is documentable by cardiotocography. Materials and methods: A monocentric randomized controlled trial was performed at a single university tertiary hospital between September 2016 and July 2017. This study was registered as a randomized clinical trial on clinicaltrail.gov (registration number NCT04622059). Unselected pregnancies at term of gestation were consecutively recruited for the purpose of this study. After 10 min of normal cardiotocography without accelerations (non-stress-test with a basal frequency between 110 and 150 beats/min, normal variability between 6 and 15 b/min, no accelerations, and no fetal movements), fetuses were randomized at a 1:1 ratio to either of the two groups. Fetuses in group A (n = 105) received acoustic stimulation after 10 min from the beginning of the CTG, whereas fetuses in group B received no stimulation (n = 105). The outcome variables investigated were the lapse of time between the beginning of the CTG and the occurrence of the first acceleration, and the lapse of time between the beginning of the CTG and the first fetal movement noticed. Results: The lapse of time between the beginning of the CTG and the occurrence of the first acceleration was significantly shorter in the group with acoustic stimulation compared to the other group (14.87 ± 5.01 vs. 21.90 ± 6.94 min, p-value &lt, 0.001 log-rank test). Similarly, the lapse of time between the beginning of the CTG and the occurrence of the first fetal movement was significantly shorter in group A compared to group B (17.77 ± 7.62 vs. 23.28 ± 7.61 min, p-value &lt, 0.001, log-rank test). Fetal cardiac acceleration and the occurrence of a fetal movement during the first 20 min of the CTG were more frequently recorded in group A compared to group B (respectively, 15% vs. 5% and 20% vs. 8%). Conclusion: This RCT showed an early fetal reaction following auditive stimulus, documentable by cardiotocography. Further research is needed to investigate a possible role of acoustic stimulation in utero for the prenatal diagnosis of congenital hypoacusis.

BACKGROUND Hypoxia caused by inadequate intracardiac mixing owing to a restrictive foramen ovale is a potentially life-threatening complication in neonates with dextro-transposition of the great arteries. An urgent balloon atrial septostomy is a procedure of choice in such cases, but dependent on the availability of a 24-hour interventional cardiology facility. The prenatal identification of predictors for an urgent balloon atrial septostomy at birth would help in optimizing the management of these neonates, minimizing the risk of hypoxic damage. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to predict with prenatal echocardiography the need of urgent balloon atrial septostomy in neonates with dextro-transposition of the great arteries. STUDY DESIGN This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with a prenatal diagnosis of transposition of the great arteries that were delivered in our center between 2010 and 2019, for whom fetal ultrasound echocardiograms obtained at less than 3 weeks before delivery were available. The following parameters were systematically obtained at fetal echocardiography: size and appearance of the foramen ovale, septum primum excursion (foramen ovale flap angle at the maximal excursion), diameters of the atria, and size of the ductus arteriosus. Balloon atrial septostomy was defined as urgent if performed within 12 hours from birth in neonates with restrictive foramen ovale. Neonatal follow-up was obtained through medical records analysis. RESULTS From November 2007 to April 2019, 160 fetuses with complete transposition of the great arteries were referred to our echocardiography laboratory and 60 of these were included in the analysis; 27 underwent urgent balloon atrial septostomy, 11 elective balloon atrial septostomy, and 22 no balloon atrial septostomy. The size of the foramen ovale was the best predictor of an urgent balloon atrial septostomy. A measurement of >6.5 mm had a sensitivity of 100% and a false positive rate of 45%. CONCLUSION Fetal echocardiography predicts the need of an urgent balloon atrial septostomy in fetuses with dextro-transposition of the great arteries although with a limited precision. In our experience, a measurement of the foramen ovale within 3 weeks of delivery had the greatest accuracy.

Introduction: Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is common and can lead to neonatal emergency. Despite its burden, antenatal detection of this condition remains inaccurate. Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of fetal echocardiography and to design a scoring system for risk stratification of CoA in suspected cases. Design: A retrospective cohort study. Setting: S. Orsola Hospital, Bologna, Italy. Population: About 140 fetuses referred for suspected CoA to our tertiary center in a 9-year period. Methods: The following parameters were systematically obtained at fetal echocardiography: ventricular disproportion, great vessels asymmetry, transverse aortic arch hypoplasia, flow turbulence, and Z-scores of the ascending aorta and of the aortic isthmus. Associated anomalies were recorded, if present. When CoA was not confirmed at birth, neonates were followed up for 12 months to identify also a tardive onset of this condition. Main outcome measures: The primary outcome was the presence of COA after birth. Results: 108 fetuses were eligible for the purpose of the study. CoA was confirmed postnatally in 55 neonates (50.9%). Arch hypoplasia yielded the highest correlation with CoA. The affected neonates presented also significantly lower Z scores of the ascending aorta and of the aortic isthmus. Earlier gestational age at referral was positively correlated with neonatal CoA. An odds ratio-based multiparametric model was designed to build a scoring system (AUC 0.89). Conclusion: In our cohort, no single ultrasound parameter was sufficiently accurate to predict postnatal CoA. The scoring system permitted a better identification of the affected fetuses.

Objectives: To predict neonatal outcome in cases with complete transposition of the great arteries (TGA) basing on foramen ovale (FO) morphology at fetal echocardiography. The primary outcome was the necessity of urgent Rashkind procedure. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. Patients referred to our tertiary centre for suspected complete TGA in a 12‐year period.The following parameters were systematically obtained at fetal echocardiography at 34–37 weeks: presence of restrictive (FO), FO diameter, right atrium diameter. Neonatal follow‐up was obtained through medical records analysis. Results: From November 2007 to April 2019, 71 fetuses with complete TGA were referred to our echocardiography laboratory. Of these, three were lost at follow up. Of the 68 remaining cases, 31 underwent urgent Rashkind procedure, 22 elective Rashkind procedure and 15 no procedure. Cases with restrictive FO had a significantly higher risk of urgent Rashking procedure compared with cases with normal FO (p below 0.05). Cases with smaller FO diameter and larger right atrium at fetal echocardiography had a significantly increased risk of urgent Rashkind procedure (p below 0.05). Conclusions: In cases with complete TGA a restrictive or narrow FO and a large right atrium at fetal echocardiography are associated with a worse neonatal outcome.