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Human brain development is a complex process that begins in the third week of gestation. During early development, the fetal brain undergoes dynamic morphological changes. These changes result from events such as neurogenesis, neuronal migration, synapse formation, axonal growth and myelination. Disruption of any of these processes is thought to be responsible for a wide array of different pathologies. Recent advances in magnetic resonance imaging, especially diffusion-weighted imaging and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), have enabled characterization and evaluation of brain development in utero. In this review, aimed at practitioners involved in fetal medicine and high-risk pregnancies, we provide a comprehensive overview of fetal DTI studies focusing on characterization of early normal brain development as well as evaluation of brain pathology in utero. We also discuss the reliability and limitations of fetal brain DTI. © 2022 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Prognosis of isolated short corpus callosum is challenging. Our aim was to assess whether fetal DTI tractography can distinguish callosal dysplasia from variants of normal callosal development in fetuses with an isolated short corpus callosum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 37 cases referred for fetal DTI at 30.4 weeks (range, 25–34 weeks) because of an isolated short corpus callosum less than the 5th percentile by sonography at 26 weeks (range, 22–31 weeks). Tractography quality, the presence of Probst bundles, dysmorphic frontal horns, callosal length (internal cranial occipitofrontal dimension/length of the corpus callosum ratio), and callosal thickness were assessed. Cytogenetic data and neurodevelopmental follow-up were systematically reviewed. RESULTS: Thirty-three of 37 fetal DTIs distinguished the 2 groups: those with Probst bundles (Probst bundles+) in 13/33 cases (40%) and without Probst bundles (Probst bundles–) in 20/33 cases (60%). Internal cranial occipitofrontal dimension/length of the corpus callosum was significantly higher in Probst bundles+ than in Probst bundles–, with a threshold value determined at 3.75 for a sensitivity of 92% (95% CI, 77%–100%) and specificity of 85% (95% CI, 63%–100%). Callosal lipomas (4/4) were all in the Probst bundles– group. More genetic anomalies were found in the Probst bundles+ than in Probst bundles– group (23% versus 10%, P = .08). CONCLUSIONS: Fetal DTI, combined with anatomic, cytogenetic, and clinical characteristics could suggest the possibility of classifying an isolated short corpus callosum as callosal dysplasia and a variant of normal callosal development.

Infection during pregnancy is common and the developing fetal brain is vulnerable to vertical transmission due to immaturity of the fetal immune system. Infection is a major cause of multiple organ abnormalities, including the neuraxis, due to the neurotropism of the infectious agents. This review sets out to give an overview of fetal infection, review the general principles of the nature and timing of the infectious insult with respect to outcomes, review the neuroimaging of infection by ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and review the various pathogens involved, including the two most common, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Toxoplasma, and also other common viral and nonviral infections.

To investigate prenatal diagnosis characteristics and pregnancy outcomes associated with isolated right aortic arch (RAA).A retrospective study including fetuses with isolated RAA, managed between January 2010 and February 2018. Cases were identified from the ultrasound databases of the expert pediatric cardiologists, who made the aforementioned diagnosis. All fetuses were examined by a fetal medicine imaging expert to exclude any extracardiac abnormality. A systematic review was performed to assess the prenatal diagnosis and outcomes of fetuses with isolated RAA.Fifty-six fetuses were diagnosed with an isolated RAA. An isolated double aortic arch (DAA) was diagnosed in one fetus. Mean gestational age at diagnosis was 24 weeks. The sex ratio (boy/girl) was 0.89. No significant abnormality was detected in invasive tests (karyotype and FISH or microarray). Only one fetus was misdiagnosed with isolated RAA. He was the only symptomatic (stridor) newborn baby and was later diagnosed with DAA. Four studies were included in our systematic review representing 115 cases of isolated RAA. One significant chromosomal abnormality was detected: a 22q11 deletion in a newborn baby who had a postnatal finding of a soft palate cleft. There was one major obstetric complication: an intrauterine fetal demise at 41 gestational weeks.Diagnosis of isolated RAA can be challenging. Invasive tests are to be discussed. The diagnosis of isolated RAA should not change obstetric monitoring. Nevertheless, an echocardiography should be performed systematically in these new newborn babies within their first month of life.

Prognosis of infants with omphalocele depends on many factors, including associated anomalies. "Small" omphaloceles are believed to have more often WB syndrome, but so far no prenatal criterion has been demonstrated to predict associated anomalies. The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes of omphaloceles with prenatal diagnosis, and to seek for any correlation between the herniated viscera in the first trimester and the risk of associated anomalies.We conducted a retrospective study at the Necker Enfants Malades Hospital between 2008 and 2018. Pregnancy outcomes and post natal data were collected and compared to the omphalocele content in the first trimester.One hundred and ninety-one women with antenatal diagnosis of omphalocele were included. Twenty-eight percent were isolated at birth, 32% had a polymalformative syndrome with chromosomal anomaly, 13% had a polymalformative syndrome without genetic anomaly, 9% had a Wiedemann-Beckwith syndrome, 7% had an association with cardiopathy, 6% had a limb body wall complex, 3% had OEIS complex and one case had a Cantrell pentalogy. The presence of the liver in the omphalocele during the first trimester was a predictive factor of heart disease (85.7% vs 48.6% P=0.01). The presence of bowel in the omphalocele during the first trimester was a predictor of chromosomal abnormalities (69.6% vs 37.2% P0.001). Omphalocele content in the first trimester was not predictive of Wiedemann-Beckwith syndrome.Ultrasound analysis in the first trimester of omphalocele content is a valuable clue for prenatal counseling and diagnosis of associated abnormalities.

To assess a comprehensive package of ultrasound quality control in the Fetal Growth Longitudinal Study of the INTERGROWTH-21Quality control (QC) measures were performed for 20 313 ultrasound scan images obtained prospectively from 4321 fetuses at 14-41 weeks' gestation in eight geographical locations. At the time of each ultrasound examination, three fetal biometric variables (head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL)) were measured in triplicate on separately generated images. All measurements were taken in a blinded fashion. QC had two elements: (1) qualitative QC: visual assessment by sonographers at each study site of their images based on specific criteria, with 10% of images being re-assessed at the Oxford-based Ultrasound Quality Unit (compared using an adjusted kappa statistic); and (2) quantitative QC: assessment of measurement data by comparing the first, second and third measurements (intraobserver variability), remeasurement of caliper replacement in 10% (interobserver variability), both by Bland-Altman plots and plotting frequency histograms of the SD of triplicate measurements and assessing how many were above or below 2 SD of the expected distribution. The system allowed the sonographers' performances to be monitored regularly.A high level of agreement between self- and external scoring was demonstrated for all measurements (κ = 0.99 (95% CI, 0.98-0.99) for HC, 0.98 (95% CI, 0.97-0.99) for AC and 0.96 (95% CI, 0.95-0.98) for FL). Intraobserver 95% limits of agreement (LoA) of ultrasound measures for HC, AC and FL were ± 3.3%, ± 5.6% and ± 6.2%, respectively; the corresponding values for interobserver LoA were ± 4.4%, ± 6.0% and ± 5.6%. The SD distribution of triplicate measurements for all biometric variables showed excessive variability for three of 31 sonographers, allowing prompt identification and retraining.Qualitative and quantitative QC monitoring was feasible and highly reproducible in a large multicenter research study, which facilitated the production of high-quality ultrasound images. We recommend that the QC system we developed is implemented in future research studies and clinical practice. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John WileySons Ltd.

Objective: Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation (VGAM) is a rare fetal anomaly, the neurological outcome of which can be good with appropriate perinatal management. However, most fetal series are too small to allow reliable statistical assessment of potential prognostic indicators. Our aim was to assess, in a two-center series of 49 cases, the prognostic value of several prenatal variables, in order to identify possible prenatal indicators of poor outcome, in terms of mortality and cerebral disability. Methods: This was a retrospective study involving 49 cases of VGAM diagnosed prenatally and managed at two centers over a 17-year period (1999–2015). All cases had undergone detailed prenatal cerebral and cardiac assessment by grayscale ultrasound, color and pulsed-wave Doppler and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ultrasound and MRI examination reports and images were reviewed and outcome information was obtained from medical reports. Volume of the VGAM (on ultrasound and MRI) was calculated and development of straight-sinus dilatation, ventriculomegaly and other major brain abnormalities was noted. Cardiothoracic ratio, tricuspid regurgitation and reversed blood flow across the aortic isthmus were evaluated on fetal echocardiography. Major brain lesions were considered by definition to be associated with poor outcome in all cases. Pregnancy and fetoneonatal outcome were known in all cases. Fetoneonatal outcome and brain damage were considered as dependent variables in the statistical evaluation. Poor outcome was defined as death, late termination of pregnancy due to association with related severe brain anomalies or severe neurological impairment. Results: At a mean follow-up time of 20 (range, 0–72) months, 36.7% of the whole series and 52.9% of the cases which did not undergo late termination were alive and free of adverse sequelae. Five (10.2%) cases showed progression of the lesion between diagnosis and delivery. On univariate analysis, dilatation of the straight sinus, VGAM volume ≥ 20 000 mm3 and tricuspid regurgitation were all significantly related to poor outcome. However, on logistic regression analysis, the only variables associated significantly with poor outcome were tricuspid regurgitation and, to a lesser extent, VGAM volume ≥ 20 000 mm3. The former was also the only variable associated with brain damage. Conclusions: Major brain lesions, tricuspid regurgitation and, to a lesser extent, VGAM volume ≥ 20 000 mm3 are the only prenatal variables associated with poor outcome in fetal VGAM. Prenatal multidisciplinary counseling should be based on these variables. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG) is a scientific organization that encourages sound clinical practice, teaching and research for diagnostic imaging in women’s healthcare. The ISUOG Clinical Standards Committee (CSC) has a remit to develop Practice Guidelines and Consensus Statements as educational recommendations that provide healthcare practitioners with a consensus-based approach for diagnostic imaging. They are intended to reflect what is considered by ISUOG to be the best practices at the time at which they were issued. Although ISUOG has made every effort to ensure that guidelines are accurate when issued, neither the Society nor any of its employees or members accepts any liability for the consequences of any inaccurate or misleading data, opinions or statements issued by the CSC. They are not intended to establish a legal standard of care because interpretation of the evidence that underpins the guidelines may be influenced by individual circumstances and available resources. Approved guidelines can be distributed freely with the permission of ISUOG (info@isuog.org).

Objectives To describe prospectively the normal abdominal and pelvic ultrasound features within 24 h following uneventful Cesarean section. Methods Transabdominal ultrasound examination was performed between 1 and 3 h, and again at 24 h, following lower-segment Cesarean section (LSCS). The myometrium, endometrium, and amount and distribution of free peritoneal fluid were studied in 30 women with singleton pregnancies who underwent LSCS delivery. Results Examinations were performed easily in all cases except one who was morbidly obese (body mass index > 40 kg/m2). At 1–3 h after delivery, mean ± SD endometrial thickness was 13 ± 2 mm. Mean uterine length, from the fundus to the cervical external os, was 160 ± 15 mm. Measurement of uterine length in the mid-sagittal plane of the pelvis was impossible in eight cases (27%) owing to pain. No abnormal intrauterine findings were observed. Mean uterine width was 110 ± 10 mm. Mean distance between the sacral promontory and uterine fundus was 104 ± 11 mm. Mean thicknesses of the anterior and posterior walls of the uterus were 40 ± 5 mm and 39 ± 7 mm, respectively. No fluid was seen in Morrison's or Douglas' pouches. There was a consistent and significant reduction between the measurements performed at 1–3 h and those at 24 h after LSCS, except for the distance between the fundus and external os. Conclusions Ultrasound examination is feasible after Cesarean section. Images are obtained easily, even when scanning through the scar. In normal pregnancies, there is no fluid in the abdomen or pelvis. These results could help clinicians in the decision-making process in cases of early postpartum hemorrhage or hemodynamic instability following LSCS. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

To assess potential differences in fetal size between the French population and the international population from the INTERGROWTH-21This was a nationwide cross-sectional study of fetal ultrasound biometry. Low-risk singleton pregnancies were recruited prospectively within the network of the national French College of Fetal Ultrasound, CFEF, over a 6-week period. Further selection was performed based on the criteria of the IG-21Following selection, 4858 cases were analyzed. The distribution of HC demonstrated clear similarity between our French population and the IG-21Under strict selection criteria, fetal size in France is similar to that of the international population used in the IG-21

Introduction In the human placenta the maternal blood circulates in the intervillous space (IVS). The syncytiotrophoblast (STB) is in direct contact with maternal blood. The wall shear stress (WSS) exerted by the maternal blood flow on the STB has not been evaluated. Our objective was to determine the physiological WSS exerted on the surface of the STB during the third trimester of pregnancy. Material and Methods To gain insight into the shear stress levels that the STB is expected to experience in vivo, we have formulated three different computational models of varying levels of complexity that reflect different physical representations of the IVS. Computations of the flow fields in all models were performed using the CFD module of the finite element code COMSOL Multi-physics 4.4. The mean velocity of maternal blood in the IVS during the third trimester was measured in vivo with dynamic MRI (0.94 +/- 0.14 mm.s(-1)). To investigate if the in silico results are consistent with physiological observations, we studied the cytoadhesion of human parasitized (Plasmodium falciparum) erythrocytes to primary human STB cultures, in flow conditions with different WSS values. Results The WSS applied to the STB is highly heterogeneous in the IVS. The estimated average values are relatively low (0.5 +/- 0.2 to 2.3 +/- 1.1 dyn.cm(-2)). The increase of WSS from 0.15 to 5 dyn.cm(-2) was associated with a significant decrease of infected erythrocyte cytoadhesion. No cytoadhesion of infected erythrocytes was observed above 5 dyn.cm(-2) applied for one hour. Conclusion Our study provides for the first time a WSS estimation in the maternal placental circulation. In spite of high maternal blood flow rates, the average WSS applied at the surface of the chorionic villi is low (

Journal de Gynecologie Obstetrique et Biologie de la Reproduction - Vol. 36 - N° 1 - p. 50-56

To evaluate the results of screening for trisomy 21 by the combined risk of first trimester (as defined by the decree of June 23, 2009) in the Prima facie structure.Single center study involving all patients that were seen for first trimester screening at Prima facie with singleton living pregnancy, not obtained by embryo donation, between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2014.Eighteen thousand two hundred and fifty-one patients were included, of which underwent screening for trisomy 21 by the combined risk. One thousand and forty-six (6.1%) had a calculated risk higher than 1/250. Seventy-five were affected by trisomy 21, of whom 65 in the high risk group. The sensitivity and specificity of screening are 86.7% and 94.4%. The median nuchal translucency was 0.98 MoM.Screening for trisomy 21 by calculating the combined risk of first trimester enabled to detect 86.7% of trisomy 21 with a false positive rate of 5.6%.

Resume Objectif. – Le but de cette etude est d'etudier les caracteristiques de l'hysterectomie chez les patientes n'ayant jamais accouche par voie basse dans un service hospitalo-universitaire. Patientes et methodes. – Etude retrospective des dossiers medicaux d'hysterectomie sur huit ans. Les patientes nullipares vaginales ont ete separees en deux groupes : groupe 1 : patientes operees par voie haute de premiere intention, groupe 2 : patientes operees par abord vaginal sans (2a) ou avec (2b) assistance cœlioscopique. Les donnees per et postoperatoires ont ete analysees et comparees. Resultats. – Pendant la periode d'etude, 243 hysterectomies chez des nullipares vaginales ont ete realisees. Parmi ces patientes, l'hysterectomie a ete entreprise par abord vaginal dans 75 % des cas. Dans 13 cas (7,1 %), une laparoconversion a ete necessaire. Le poids moyen des uterus extraits par voie haute etait de 943 g contre 370 g en moyenne pour ceux extraits par voie vaginale. La voie haute (groupe 1) demandait plus de temps (105 minutes en moyenne) que la voie vaginale pure (groupe 2a ; 81 minutes) mais moins que la voie vaginale avec assistance cœlioscopique (2b ; 173 minutes). Il n'y avait pas de difference significative en ce qui concerne les pertes sanguines ou les complications entre les groupes 1 et 2. Le sejour hospitalier etait plus court dans le groupe 2. L'assistance cœlioscopique a la voie vaginale n'etait pas associee a un volume uterin moyen plus eleve, ni a une reduction des complications. Discussion et conclusion. – L'absence d'antecedent d'accouchement par voie basse ne devrait plus etre consideree comme une contre-indication a l'hysterectomie par voie basse. Chez ces patientes, la majorite des interventions devrait etre pratiquee par cette voie ; l'assistance cœlioscopique semble d'un interet limite.

Due to the development of many quality control systems in the industry, increasing demands for limited health care resources and rise of legal aspects in ultrasound practice, the need for quality has also emerged in the prenatal ultrasound field. Based on the literature, various approaches for quality control based on fetal detection rates, analysis of nuchal translucency measurements or biometric measurements are reviewed. Particular emphasis is put on the use of fetal biometry to develop quality control systems based on both a qualitative or a quantitative approach.

To compare placental elasticity in normal versus intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) murine pregnancies using shear wave elastography (SWE).Intrauterine growth restriction was created by ligation of the left uterine artery of Sprague-Dawley rats on E17. Ultrasonography (US) and elastography were performed 2 days later on exteriorized horns after laparotomy. Biparietal diameter (BPD) and abdominal diameter (AD) were measured and compared in each horn. Placental elasticity of each placenta was compared in the right and left horns, respectively, using the Young's modulus, which increases with increasing stiffness of the tissue.Two hundred seventeen feto-placental units from 18 rats were included. Fetuses in the left ligated horn had smaller biometric measurements than those in the right horn (6.7 vs 7.2 mm, p 0.001, and 9.2 vs 11.2 mm, p 0.001 for BPD and AD, respectively). Mean fetal weight was lower in the pups from the left than the right horn (1.65 vs 2.11 g; p 0.001). Mean (SD) Young's modulus was higher for placentas from the left than the right horn (11.7 ± 1.5 kPa vs 8.01 ± 3.8 kPa, respectively; p 0.001), indicating increased stiffness in placentas from the left than the right horn. There was an inverse relationship between fetal weight and placental elasticity (r = 0.42; p 0.001).Shear wave elastography may be used to provide quantitative elasticity measurements of the placenta. In our model, placentas from IUGR fetuses demonstrated greater stiffness, which correlated with the degree of fetal growth restriction.

To describe the timing of the ultrasound appearance of olfactory sulci in normal fetuses, according to gestational age.Olfactory sulci were assessed prospectively in the coronal plane on routine brain ultrasound examination in 100 normal fetuses between 22 and 31 + 6 weeks' gestation. Examinations were divided into five groups according to gestational age: Group 1, 22 to 23 + 6 weeks (n = 22); Group 2, 24 to 25 + 6 weeks (n = 9); Group 3, 26 to 27 + 6 weeks (n = 25); Group 4, 28 to 29 + 6 weeks (n = 22) and Group 5, 30 to 31 + 6 weeks (n = 22). For each fetus, olfactory sulci were assessed as absent, developing or formed.Developing sulci appeared as primitive smooth depressions in the frontal lobe, which evolved into deep sharp complete sulci in later pregnancy. It was possible to assess the development of sulci in all cases. Olfactory sulci were consistently absent in Group 1. In Group 2, 44.4% of fetuses had absent olfactory sulci and 55.6% had developing sulci. In Group 3, the olfactory sulci were still developing in 21 (84.0%) fetuses and were completely formed in four (16.0%). Sulci were completely formed in all fetuses in Groups 4 and 5.Fetal brain ultrasound can visualize developing olfactory sulci from as early as 24 weeks' gestation. After 26 weeks, fetuses have detectable olfactory sulci and, after 28 weeks, they are completely formed. Abnormal development of olfactory sulci is a key feature of CHARGE syndrome. These results may help to improve the prenatal diagnosis of CHARGE syndrome. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John WileySons Ltd.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound scanning complement each other in screening for and diagnosis of endometriosis. Fusion imaging, also known as real-time virtual sonography, is a new technique that uses magnetic navigation and computer software for the synchronized display of real-time ultrasound and multiplanar reconstructed MR images. Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility and ability of fusion imaging to assess the main anatomical sites of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) in patients with suspected active endometriosis.This prospective study was conducted over a 1-month period in patients referred to a trained radiologist for an ultrasound-based evaluation for endometriosis. Patients with a prior pelvic MRI examination within the past year were offered fusion imaging, in addition to the standard evaluation. All MRI examinations were performed on a 1.5-T MRI machine equipped with a body phased-array coil. The MRI protocol included acquisition of at least two fast spin-echo T2-weighted orthogonal planes. The Digital Imaging Communications in Medicine dataset acquired at the time of the MRI examination was loaded into the fusion system and displayed together with the ultrasound image on the same monitor. The sets of images were then synchronized manually using one plane and one anatomical reference point. The ability of this combined image to identify and assess the main anatomical sites of pelvic endometriosis (uterosacral ligaments, posterior vaginal fornix, rectum, ureters and bladder) was evaluated and compared with that of standard B-mode ultrasound and MRI.Over the study period, 100 patients were referred for ultrasound examination because of endometriosis. Among them were 20 patients (median age, 35 (range, 27-49) years) who had undergone MRI examination within the past year, with a median (range) time interval between MRI and ultrasound examination of 171 (1-350) days. All 20 patients consented to undergo additional evaluation by fusion imaging. However, in three (15%) cases, fusion imaging was not technically possible because of changes since the initial MRI examination resulting from either interval surgery (n = 2; 10%) or pregnancy (n = 1; 5%). Data acquisition, matching and fusion imaging were performed in under 10 min in each of the other 17 cases. The overall ability of each technique to identify and assess the main anatomical landmarks of endometriosis was as follows: uterosacral ligaments: ultrasound, 88% (30/34); MRI, 100% (34/34); fusion imaging, 100% (34/34); posterior vaginal fornix: ultrasound, 88% (30/34); MRI, 100% (34/34); fusion imaging, 100% (34/34); rectum: ultrasound, 100% (17/17); MRI, 82.3% (14/17); fusion imaging, 100% (17/17); ureters: ultrasound, 0%; MRI, 100% (34/34); fusion imaging, 100% (34/34); and bladder: ultrasound, 100%; MRI, 100%; fusion imaging, 100%.Fusion imaging is feasible for the assessment of endometriotic lesions. Because it combines information from both ultrasound and MRI techniques, fusion imaging allows better identification of the main anatomical sites of DIE and has the potential to improve the performance of ultrasound and MRI examination.

To determine the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities, syndromic association and fetal defects associated with second trimester fetal growth restriction (FGR) in a tertiary referral center.Retrospective review of all cases referred between 14 and 27 weeks with an abdominal circumference (AC)5(th) centile between 2008 and 2012. Multiple pregnancies were excluded. Medical records were retrieved to look for the presence of associated malformations, aneuploidy and outcomes.A total of 8626 fetuses had ultrasonographic examination between 14 and 27 weeks. Of these, there were 239 cases (2.8%) with evidence of FGR as based on AC measurement. Thirty-seven fetuses had an abnormal karyotype or an identified syndromic association (15%). The most common chromosomal defect was Trisomy 18 (10 cases, 4.2%), 67 had at least one associated morphological abnormality without aneuploidy or syndromic association (28%). Most common associated abnormalities were relative short femur (5%), omphalocele (5%) and gastroschisis (4%). Last 135 cases were isolated fetal growth retardation (5%). Maternal age was higher (33 yr ± 5 yr versus 31 yr ± 5.6 yr, P0.01) and the z-score for the AC lower (2.5 ± 1 versus 2.15 ± 0.6) in the group with abnormal karyotype or syndromic association than in the group without associated malformation. Amniotic fluid was more often increased in the group with an abnormal karyotype or associated malformation (14% and 17%) than in the group without malformations (0%, P0.01).This study describes abnormalities and outcomes associated with second trimester fetal growth retardation in a large population of patients. Our results suggest that the absence of associated malformation, degree of growth restriction, maternal age and the amniotic fluid index may help in the prenatal management and counseling of this high risk population.

The management and identification of the causes for a small for gestational age (SGA) and/or an intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) fetus is a common but complex problem in Obstetrics.The Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library databases were examined over the last 15 years, with no language restrictions, using a combination of the words PAG (SGA), IUGR (IUGR), fetal weight (Fetal weight), sonography (ultrasound), management, cause (etiology), examinations (examinations). Some references not selected by this strategy, but associated with these publications or suggested by members of the working group were also added. The relevant articles were used to establish the text of recommendation following discussion between experts of the working group.Once the diagnosis of SGA is raised (whether on clinical, echocardiographic or Doppler), a management strategy to look for potential causes must be proposed and discussed with parents (Expert reviews). The extent of additional explorations varies depending on the exact presentation of the case (term at diagnosis, severity of anomalies). Additional explorations only make sense if they are likely to change the management of the current pregnancy and particularly to reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality. Explorations have two main objectives: (i) assess fetal vitality and possibilities for continuing the pregnancy in terms of safety for the mother and the foetus; (ii) establish the origin of SGA. The latter is detailed in this chapter recommendation. The earlier and the more severe the biometric anomalies, the more comprehensive the investigations. Maternal symptoms or fetal Doppler anomalies also require urgent management.Explorations to establish the origin of SGA and/or IUGR must follow a rigorous and systematic approach. In all cases, the practitioner will provide clear information to parents and collect information including detailed clinical and ultrasound examinations. Additional tests and in particular fetal invasive testing must be performed in some cases after parental consent and according to clinical and sonographic guidance elements.

To compare the performance of traditional growth charts for estimated fetal weight (EFW) and a validated pragmatic probabilistic approach using biometry at 31-34 weeks' gestation to screen for late pregnancy small-for-gestational age (SGA) fetuses in a low-risk population.Records of ultrasound biometry at 31-34 weeks were reviewed in 7755 consecutive low-risk women between 2002 and 2011. Fetal malformations, Doppler anomalies and preterm delivery before 37 weeks were excluded. SGA was defined by various percentile cut-offs of birth weight. The probability of SGA was modeled as a function of Z-scores of femur length, abdominal circumference and head circumference. The model was validated on a second independent dataset of 1725 pregnancies from a different screening unit. The screening performance of this probabilistic approach was compared with those of traditional EFW growth charts. The additional value of factoring in maternal characteristics was also ascertained.Using national birth-weight charts, the proportions of newborns at 37-42 weeks with birth weight3(rd) ,5(th) and10(th) centiles were 3%, 6% and 12%, respectively, and there was a 2% rate of birth weight2500 g. For a 10% false-positive rate, a direct probabilistic approach yielded a 51% detection rate of neonates with birth weight10(th) centile, compared to the 32% and 48% detection rates given by the 10(th) centile cut-off of two reference charts for EFW. Adding maternal characteristics significantly improved detection rate by 2% to 53%.The suggested validated approach to screening for late SGA fetuses outperforms traditional approaches using growth charts. By adding maternal characteristics, this screening method offers a favorable alternative to customized charts.

The placenta is essential for fetal development but its in vivo study, including the study of placental perfusion is still very limited to date. MRI is a safe examination that offers new perspectives for the study of placental function that is altered in many conditions (IUGR, preeclampsia…) and placental anatomy (placenta accreta…). The different MRI sequences (DCE, IVIM, BOLD, ASL…) are new tools that may soon allow us to assess precisely placental function and anatomy, in vivo and non-invasively.

This study aims to compare outcomes of active management of monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies complicated with severe intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) of one twin before 24 weeks with continuous or intermittent absent or reversed end-diastolic flow (AREDF) in the umbilical artery, with or without twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS).This study is a retrospective comparison of 45 consecutive cases of severe selective IUGR (s-IUGR) defined as an estimated fetal weight at or below the fifth centile with a25% weight discordance and AREDF in the umbilical artery before 24 weeks and 166 consecutive cases of TTTS stage III, with AREDF in the donor (TTTS3D) and also with s-IUGR. These were treated by either selective laser photocoagulation of chorionic vessels (SLPCV) or cord coagulation (CC).The 166 cases of TTTS3D were treated by SLPCV, whereas 23 and 22 cases of s-IUGR were treated by SLPCV and CC, respectively. Overall survival was 52.17% or 45.45% in s-IUGR treated by SLPCV or CC, respectively, and 48.49% in TTTS3D. The survival of appropriately grown for gestational age (AGA) twins following CC (90.9%) was higher than that following SLPCV in s-IUGR (74%) or in recipient twins of TTTS3D (55.42%) (p = 0.001). Survival of the IUGR twin was 30% and 41.56% with SLPCV in s-IUGR and TTTS3D, respectively.Active management of severe IUGR with AREDF in the umbilical artery seems beneficial. Survival rates with SLPCV were similar in s-IUGR and TTTS3D. However, there was a trend for higher survival rates in the AGA twin for CC. The choice of the technique should be driven by objective counseling on survival of both IUGR and AGA twins and therefore by the utility-based ethical values expressed by the pregnant woman.

Fetal takings still concern about 6 to 7% of the pregnancies. If, in the majority of the cases, the taking does not present difficulty for a trained operator, particular circumstances related to maternal context (anticoagulating treatment, vaginal bleeding, fever…) may make the taking become more difficult. From a questionnaire sent to the French multidisciplinary centers for prenatal diagnosis and a review of the literature, we establish guidelines for fetal taking in these circumstances.

To determine whether a standard complete fetal anatomical survey, as recommended for ultrasound examination guidelines, is feasible using a standardized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol.Based on guidelines for ultrasound examination, we created a specific MRI protocol for fetal anatomical survey. This protocol was then tested prospectively in 100 women undergoing fetal MRI examination for various specific indications at a median gestational age of 30 weeks. The feasibility of using MRI to perform the fetal anatomical survey was analyzed by two reviewers (A and B) based on 26 predefined anatomical criteria, yielding a score ranging from 0 to 26 (26 meaning successful complete anatomical study). Reproducibility was analyzed using percentage agreement and modified kappa statistics.The mean score for the standardized MRI anatomical survey was 24.6 (SD, 1.4; range, 15-26) for Reviewer A and 24.2 (SD, 1.7; range, 15-26) for Reviewer B (P = 0.1). Twenty-two, two and two criteria could be assessed in 95%, 80-95% and 80% of cases by Reviewer A and 19, four and three criteria could be assessed in 95%, 80-95% and 80% of cases by Reviewer B. For both reviewers, the two most difficult criteria to evaluate were aorta and pulmonary artery. Inter-reviewer agreement was above 90% for 22 of the 26 anatomical criteria and adjusted kappa coefficients for each criterion demonstrated good, moderate and poor agreement for 22, two and two criteria, respectively.Our data support the hypothesis that standardized fetal anatomical examination might be achieved and reproducible using MRI, although improvement is required for the cardiac part of the examination.