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Objective To assess the intra- and interobserver reliability of the fetal ductus venosus (DV) blood flow measurements at 11–14 weeks' gestation in a high-risk population for chromosomal defects. Methods Thirty-five consecutive singleton pregnancies at high risk for chromosomal or genetic anomalies were included. DV end-diastolic velocity (EDV) and the pulsatility index for veins (PIV) were determined by manual tracing in three sets of waveforms by a single sonographist to assess intraobserver reliability using transvaginal ultrasound. Subsequently, the EDV and the PIV were also determined in a further set by a second sonographist to assess interobserver reliability. Reliability was evaluated by means of the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). The degree of agreement was also examined using the limits of agreement method. Results The intraobserver reliability was 0.81 (95% C.I. 0.69–0.89) for EDV and 0.91 (95% C.I. 0.85–0.95) for the PIV, both corresponding to almost perfect reliability. The interobserver reliability was 0.50 (95% C.I. 0.20–0.70) for EDV, and 0.74 (95% C.I. 0.54–0.86) for PIV, corresponding respectively to moderate and substantial reliabilities. The 95% interval of the EDV differences (cm/s) within and between observers were (+6.1, − 4.6) and (+13.6, − 9.7), respectively. The 95% interval of the PIV differences within and between observers were (+0.32, − 0.36) and (+0.7, − 0.67), respectively. Conclusions Interobserver reliability for EDV is only moderate, whereas for the PIV is substantial, allowing its use for clinical purposes in a high-risk population. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Objective To assess the amniopatch procedure when premature rupture of membranes occurs after first-trimester chorionic villus sampling (CVS). Study Design From May 2001 to June 2004, the amniopatch procedure was offered in cases of premature rupture of membranes after CVS when severe oligohydramnios was present (largest vertical pocket < 2 cm) and persistent (more than 1 week). Results The amniopatch was placed in five pregnancies at 12–18 weeks of gestation, resulting in amniotic fluid restoration in all but one pregnancy. In three pregnancies, fetal demise was observed at 1, 2 and 36 days after the procedure. The last procedure resulted in a healthy newborn. Conclusion Although the amniopatch restored normal amniotic fluid levels in all cases, 4 of the 5 cases resulted in fetal demise. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Objective To describe the false-positive diagnoses of prenatal ultrasound screening of fetal structural anomalies. Methods Pregnancies with fetal structural anomalies either detected prenatally in our center or referred to us, were registered, evaluated, and followed-up prospectively by a multidisciplinary Congenital Defects Committee. After postnatal follow-up was completed, cases were assigned as true positives, false positives or false negatives and categorized by anatomical systems. Pregnancies referred with a nonconfirmed suspicion of anomaly were not included. The false-positive diagnoses were analyzed. Results From 1994 to 2004, 903 new registry entries of fetuses structurally abnormal at ultrasound with a complete follow-up were included in the Committee database. There were 76 false positives, accounting for 9.3% of all the prenatally established diagnoses. The urinary tract anomalies were the most frequent false-positive diagnoses found (n = 25; accounting for 8.7% of the urinary tract defects), but the genital anomalies showed the higher rate of no confirmation (n = 5; 15.2%). The specific anomalies most commonly not confirmed were renal pyelectasis (n = 9), cerebral ventriculomegaly (n = 9), abdominal cysts (n = 7) and short limbs (n = 7). Conclusion Several prenatally diagnosed anomalies would benefit from prudent counseling, because they may be normal variants or transient findings. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.