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Wang X, Zhang S, Wang J, Zhang S, Feng L, Wu Q. Follow-up outcome analysis of 324 cases of early-onset and late-onset mild fetal ventriculomegaly: a retrospective cohort study. Eur J Med Res 2024; 29:128. [PMID: 38365795 PMCID: PMC10870476 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-024-01709-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mild fetal ventriculomegaly (VM) is a nonspecific finding common to several pathologies with varying prognosis and is, therefore, a challenge in fetal consultation. We aimed to perform a constant, detailed analysis of prenatal findings and postnatal outcomes in fetuses with early-onset and late-onset mild ventriculomegaly, and provide a new evidence basis and new perspective for prenatal counseling. METHODS This is a retrospective cohort study of women with a diagnosis of mild fetal VM between January 2018 and October 2020. The population was divided into two groups according to the gestational ages (GAs) at initial diagnosis: the early-onset group (diagnosed at/before 24+6 weeks) and the late-onset group (diagnosed after 24+6 weeks). Clinical data and pregnancy outcomes were obtained from hospital records. The children's neurodevelopment status was assessed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition (ASQ-3) and telephone interviews. RESULTS Our study cohort comprised 324 fetuses, out of which 94 (29%) were classified as early-onset group and 230 (71%) late-onset group. Early-onset group was more likely to have concurrent additional abnormalities, whereas in the late-onset group, isolated enlargement was more common (P = 0.01). Unilateral enlargement was more common in the late-onset group (P = 0.05), and symmetrical enlargement in the early-onset group (P < 0.01). In addition, early-onset mild VM cases were more likely to have intrauterine progression (P = 0.03), and many had a higher proportion of complex multisystem abnormalities. Compared with the late-onset group, the early-onset group was more often associated with congenital brain structure malformations. Approximately 11% of fetuses with mild VM had postnatal neurodevelopmental delay/disorders, and the risk was higher in the early-onset group (19.4% vs. 7.4%). Regression analysis showed that the GA at first diagnosis, non-isolated, and intrauterine progression significantly correlated with neurodevelopmental abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS Early-onset and late-onset mild VM had significantly different ultrasound features and outcomes. Early-onset mild VM may have more complex potential abnormalities and are more likely to predict poor prognosis than the late-onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Wang
- Ultrasound Department, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, No.251 Yaojiayuan Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100026, People's Republic of China
- Ultrasound Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, 271000, Taian, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Shanlong Zhang
- Ultrasound Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, 271000, Taian, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- Ultrasound Department, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, No.251 Yaojiayuan Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100026, People's Republic of China
| | - Simin Zhang
- Ultrasound Department, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, No.251 Yaojiayuan Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100026, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Feng
- Ultrasound Department, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, No.251 Yaojiayuan Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100026, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingqing Wu
- Ultrasound Department, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, No.251 Yaojiayuan Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100026, People's Republic of China.
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Zhang H, Linpeng S, Teng Y, Peng C, Liang D, Li Z, Wu L. A de novo heterozygous POU3F3 genotype for the p.(Q214*) variant in a fetus with transient isolated bilateral mild ventriculomegaly: a case report and review of the literature. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1177137. [PMID: 37593446 PMCID: PMC10427865 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1177137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The prenatal prevalence of isolated ventriculomegaly is 0.039%-0.087%. Most isolated mild ventriculomegaly (MV) fetuses (>90%) have a favorable prognosis. However, 5.6% to 7.9% of fetuses with isolated MV have adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. In this study, we reported the first case of prenatal Snijders Blok-Fisher syndrome (OMIM: #618604) caused by a truncating variant of POU3F3 (OMIM: *602480) in a fetus with transient isolated bilateral MV. The results of karyotype analysis, chromosomal microarray analysis, and TORCH infection evaluation for the fetus were all negative. However, a de novo likely pathogenic nonsense variant of NM_006236.3 (POU3F3): c.640C > T [rs1254251078] p.(Q214*) was identified by whole-exome sequencing (WES). Despite sufficient genetic counseling, the mother refused to undertake further brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and decided to keep the fetus. She gave birth to a male infant through a full-term vaginal delivery. With a long-term follow-up, the infant unfortunately gradually presented with delayed motor development. The postnatal brain MRI of the proband showed dysplasia of the corpus callosum and ventriculomegaly. Considering the high probability of misdiagnosis for such cases, we further summarized the prenatal phenotypes from 19 reported patients with variants in POU3F3. The results revealed that 14 patients displayed a normal prenatal ultrasonographic manifestation, while only approximately 26.32% of fetuses showed MV or cysts without structural deformity. Thus our findings expand the variant spectrum of POU3F3 and suggest the importance of undertaking WES and brain MRI when the fetus has isolated bilateral MV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyun Zhang
- Center for Medical Genetics, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Siyuan Linpeng
- Department of Genetics and Eugenics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Hereditary Birth Defects Prevention and Control, Changsha Hospital for Maternal and Child Health Care Affiliated to Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Yanling Teng
- Center for Medical Genetics, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Can Peng
- Department of Genetics and Eugenics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Hereditary Birth Defects Prevention and Control, Changsha Hospital for Maternal and Child Health Care Affiliated to Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Desheng Liang
- Center for Medical Genetics, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Hunan Jiahui Genetics Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Zhuo Li
- Center for Medical Genetics, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lingqian Wu
- Center for Medical Genetics, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Hunan Jiahui Genetics Hospital, Changsha, China
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Tarui T, Madan N, Graham G, Kitano R, Akiyama S, Takeoka E, Reid S, Yun HJ, Craig A, Samura O, Grant E, Im K. Comprehensive quantitative analyses of fetal magnetic resonance imaging in isolated cerebral ventriculomegaly. Neuroimage Clin 2023; 37:103357. [PMID: 36878148 PMCID: PMC9999203 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2023.103357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Isolated cerebral ventriculomegaly (IVM) is the most common prenatally diagnosed brain anomaly occurs in 0.2-1 % of pregnancies. However, knowledge of fetal brain development in IVM is limited. There is no prenatal predictor for IVM to estimate individual risk of neurodevelopmental disability occurs in 10 % of children. To characterize brain development in fetuses with IVM and delineate their individual neuroanatomical variances, we performed comprehensive post-acquisition quantitative analysis of fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In volumetric analysis, brain MRI of fetuses with IVM (n = 20, 27.0 ± 4.6 weeks of gestation, mean ± SD) had revealed significantly increased volume in the whole brain, cortical plate, subcortical parenchyma, and cerebrum compared to the typically developing fetuses (controls, n = 28, 26.3 ± 5.0). In the cerebral sulcal developmental pattern analysis, fetuses with IVM had altered sulcal positional (both hemispheres) development and combined features of sulcal positional, depth, basin area, in both hemispheres compared to the controls. When comparing distribution of similarity index of individual fetuses, IVM group had shifted toward to lower values compared to the control. About 30 % of fetuses with IVM had no overlap with the distribution of control fetuses. This proof-of-concept study shows that quantitative analysis of fetal MRI can detect emerging subtle neuroanatomical abnormalities in fetuses with IVM and their individual variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomo Tarui
- Mother Infant Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, USA; Pediatric Neurology, Hasbro Children's Hospital, Providence, USA.
| | - Neel Madan
- Radiology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, USA
| | - George Graham
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, South Shore Hospital, South Weymouth, USA
| | - Rie Kitano
- Mother Infant Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, USA
| | - Shizuko Akiyama
- Mother Infant Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, USA
| | - Emiko Takeoka
- Mother Infant Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, USA
| | - Sophie Reid
- Mother Infant Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, USA
| | - Hyuk Jin Yun
- Fetal-Neonatal Neuroimaging and Developmental Science Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Alexa Craig
- Pediatric Neurology, Maine Medical Center, Portland, USA
| | - Osamu Samura
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ellen Grant
- Fetal-Neonatal Neuroimaging and Developmental Science Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Kiho Im
- Fetal-Neonatal Neuroimaging and Developmental Science Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, USA.
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Yadav A, Singh C, Dagar S, Shastri A, Prakash R, Thakur S. A myriad of posterior fossa cysts: A single center experience. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND : JCU 2022; 50:1312-1319. [PMID: 35730722 DOI: 10.1002/jcu.23261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Antenatal posterior fossa cystic lesions are intimidating due to overlapping imaging features of benign and severe malformations. Sonographic assessment of the posterior fossa with good resolution median sagittal and axial views, either primary or secondarily reconstructed, plays the lead role in antenatal evaluation, further enhanced when sequential assessments are added. We present 10 cases of fetal posterior fossa cystic lesions diagnosed in the first and second trimesters that were sequentially analyzed and followed up till delivery or termination. The ultrasound imaging appearance, evolution, and morphometry have been presented in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arushi Yadav
- Department of Fetal Medicine, Madhukar Rainbow Children's Hospital, and BirthRight by Rainbow Hospitals, New Delhi, India
| | - Chanchal Singh
- Department of Fetal Medicine, Madhukar Rainbow Children's Hospital, and BirthRight by Rainbow Hospitals, New Delhi, India
| | - Savita Dagar
- Department of Fetal Medicine, Madhukar Rainbow Children's Hospital, and BirthRight by Rainbow Hospitals, New Delhi, India
| | - Aditi Shastri
- Department of Fetal Medicine, Madhukar Rainbow Children's Hospital, and BirthRight by Rainbow Hospitals, New Delhi, India
| | - Ritika Prakash
- Department of Fetal Medicine, Madhukar Rainbow Children's Hospital, and BirthRight by Rainbow Hospitals, New Delhi, India
| | - Seema Thakur
- Department of Fetal Medicine, Madhukar Rainbow Children's Hospital, and BirthRight by Rainbow Hospitals, New Delhi, India
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Sohret NC, Tekin AN, Surmeli Onay O, Suman K, Aydemir O, Velipasaoglu M. Assessment of foetal ventriculomegaly from prenatal to early postnatal period: a single-centre retrospective cohort study. J OBSTET GYNAECOL 2022; 42:2999-3006. [PMID: 36149296 DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2022.2125295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the early neonatal outcomes of cases with foetal ventriculomegaly (VM) and to investigate the aetiological and prognostic factors according to the degree of VM in a single tertiary referring centre. The medical records of 87 foetuses diagnosed with VM (≥10 mm) within 6 years were evaluated. Postnatal evaluation and early neonatal prognosis were determined in 39 cases divided into two groups as mild (10-15 mm, 30 cases) and severe (>15 mm, 9 cases) according to the ventricular size. The mean gestational age at which foetal VM was detected was 22 + 3 weeks. In terms of severity, severe cases of VM were more frequent in terminated pregnancies. There was no difference in gestational age, birth weight, fifth minute Apgar scores, or cord blood gases between mild and severe cases at delivery. Isolated VM was detected in 63% of mild and 22% of severe cases. In severe cases, the need for intensive care and surgery was higher than in mild cases. Antenatal VM regressed in 50% of mild cases and 22% of severe cases. Increasing knowledge about neonatal prognosis, the factors involved in aetiology, and the degree of VM will guide the management of foetal VM.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known in this subject? Some cases of foetal VM resolve spontaneously, and postnatal ultrasonography can detect normal ventricle sizes. While 74.6% of isolated VM cases show spontaneous regression, this rate is 52.1% in nonisolated cases. The gestational week at the time of diagnosis, the degree and cause of VM, intrauterine progression and the presence of any genetic, infectious, cerebral, or extracerebral disorders all influence the prognosis.What do the results of this study add? Antenatal VM regressed in 50% of mild cases and 22% of severe cases. In severe cases, the need for intensive care and surgery was higher than in mild cases. The higher frequency of accompanying cerebral findings in severe cases was striking.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The current study revealed that isolated VM with ventricular diameter less than 15 mm, after excluding out chromosomal abnormalities and prenatal infections, and no prior history of VM, has a favourable neonatal prognosis in terms of mortality and morbidity. In cases of foetal VM, increased knowledge of neonatal prognosis will guide pregnancy care and postnatal follow-up planning. Prospective multicentre studies on the neonatal period are required to bridge the gap between foetal VM and long-term consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurullah Cihan Sohret
- Department of Pediatrics, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir, Turkey.,Division of Neonatology, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir, Turkey
| | - Ayse Neslihan Tekin
- Department of Pediatrics, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir, Turkey.,Division of Neonatology, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir, Turkey
| | - Ozge Surmeli Onay
- Department of Pediatrics, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir, Turkey.,Division of Neonatology, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir, Turkey
| | - Kamuran Suman
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir, Turkey.,Division of Perinatology, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir, Turkey
| | - Ozge Aydemir
- Department of Pediatrics, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir, Turkey.,Division of Neonatology, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir, Turkey
| | - Melih Velipasaoglu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir, Turkey.,Division of Perinatology, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir, Turkey
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Central nervous system biometry in fetuses with and without congenital heart diseases. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2022; 306:1885-1890. [PMID: 35296918 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-022-06484-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the fetal brain structures assessed in routine sonographic scans during the second and third trimesters in fetuses with and without congenital heart disease (CHD). METHODS This is a retrospective cross-sectional single-center study. We measured the head circumference (HC), the transversal diameter of the cerebellum (TCD) and the sizes of the cisterna magna (CM), the cavum septi pellucidi (CSP) and the posterior ventricles (PV) between 20 and 41 weeks of gestation. We compared 160 fetuses with CHD (case group) to 160 fetuses of normal pregnancies (control group). Every patient was matched with a control, considering the gestational age at which the ultrasound was performed. We divided the CHD group into 3 subgroups: retrograde flow in the aortic arch (group 1), right heart anomaly with the antegrade flow in the aortic arch (group 2) and other CHDs with the antegrade flow in the aortic arch (group 3). RESULTS The mean width of the PV was larger in fetuses of groups 1 and 3 in comparison to the control group (P < 0.001, P = 0.022; respectively). We found that the APGAR score at 5 min (P < 0.001, P < 0.001; respectively) and gestational age at delivery (P = 0.006, P = 0.001; respectively) were inferior in groups 1 and 3 compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS Central nervous system biometry is altered in fetuses with CHD. PV is enlarged in CHD fetuses especially with decreased oxygen levels in the aortic arch.
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Yuan S, Liu M, Kim S, Yang J, Barkovich AJ, Xu D, Kim H. Cyto/myeloarchitecture of cortical gray matter and superficial white matter in early neurodevelopment: multimodal MRI study in preterm neonates. Cereb Cortex 2022; 33:357-373. [PMID: 35235643 PMCID: PMC9837610 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The cerebral cortex undergoes rapid microstructural changes throughout the third trimester. Recently, there has been growing interest on imaging features that represent cyto/myeloarchitecture underlying intracortical myelination, cortical gray matter (GM), and its adjacent superficial whitematter (sWM). Using 92 magnetic resonance imaging scans from 78 preterm neonates, the current study used combined T1-weighted/T2-weighted (T1w/T2w) intensity ratio and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measurements, including fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD), to characterize the developing cyto/myeloarchitectural architecture. DTI metrics showed a linear trajectory: FA decreased in GM but increased in sWM with time; and MD decreased in both GM and sWM. Conversely, T1w/T2w measurements showed a distinctive parabolic trajectory, revealing additional cyto/myeloarchitectural signature inferred. Furthermore, the spatiotemporal courses were regionally heterogeneous: central, ventral, and temporal regions of GM and sWM exhibited faster T1w/T2w changes; anterior sWM areas exhibited faster FA increases; and central and cingulate areas in GM and sWM exhibited faster MD decreases. These results may explain cyto/myeloarchitectural processes, including dendritic arborization, synaptogenesis, glial proliferation, and radial glial cell organization and apoptosis. Finally, T1w/T2w values were significantly associated with 1-year language and cognitive outcome scores, while MD significantly decreased with intraventricular hemorrhage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jingda Yang
- Department of Neurology, USC Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Anthony James Barkovich
- Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Duan Xu
- Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Hosung Kim
- Corresponding author: 2025 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
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Role of prenatal magnetic resonance imaging in fetuses with isolated mild or moderate ventriculomegaly in the era of neurosonography: international multicenter study. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2020; 56:340-347. [PMID: 31917496 DOI: 10.1002/uog.21974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the role of fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting associated anomalies in fetuses presenting with mild or moderate isolated ventriculomegaly (VM) undergoing multiplanar ultrasound evaluation of the fetal brain. METHODS This was a multicenter, retrospective, cohort study involving 15 referral fetal medicine centers in Italy, the UK and Spain. Inclusion criteria were fetuses affected by isolated mild (ventricular atrial diameter, 10.0-11.9 mm) or moderate (ventricular atrial diameter, 12.0-14.9 mm) VM on ultrasound, defined as VM with normal karyotype and no other additional central nervous system (CNS) or extra-CNS anomalies on ultrasound, undergoing detailed assessment of the fetal brain using a multiplanar approach as suggested by the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology guidelines for the fetal neurosonogram, followed by fetal MRI. The primary outcome of the study was to report the incidence of additional CNS anomalies detected exclusively on prenatal MRI and missed on ultrasound, while the secondary aim was to estimate the incidence of additional anomalies detected exclusively after birth and missed on prenatal imaging (ultrasound and MRI). Subgroup analysis according to gestational age at MRI (< 24 vs ≥ 24 weeks), laterality of VM (unilateral vs bilateral) and severity of dilatation (mild vs moderate VM) were also performed. RESULTS Five hundred and fifty-six fetuses with a prenatal diagnosis of isolated mild or moderate VM on ultrasound were included in the analysis. Additional structural anomalies were detected on prenatal MRI and missed on ultrasound in 5.4% (95% CI, 3.8-7.6%) of cases. When considering the type of anomaly, supratentorial intracranial hemorrhage was detected on MRI in 26.7% of fetuses, while polymicrogyria and lissencephaly were detected in 20.0% and 13.3% of cases, respectively. Hypoplasia of the corpus callosum was detected on MRI in 6.7% of cases, while dysgenesis was detected in 3.3%. Fetuses with an associated anomaly detected only on MRI were more likely to have moderate than mild VM (60.0% vs 17.7%; P < 0.001), while there was no significant difference in the proportion of cases with bilateral VM between the two groups (P = 0.2). Logistic regression analysis showed that lower maternal body mass index (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 0.85 (95% CI, 0.7-0.99); P = 0.030), the presence of moderate VM (aOR, 5.8 (95% CI, 2.6-13.4); P < 0.001) and gestational age at MRI ≥ 24 weeks (aOR, 4.1 (95% CI, 1.1-15.3); P = 0.038) were associated independently with the probability of detecting an associated anomaly on MRI. Associated anomalies were detected exclusively at birth and missed on prenatal imaging in 3.8% of cases. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of an associated fetal anomaly missed on ultrasound and detected only on fetal MRI in fetuses with isolated mild or moderate VM undergoing neurosonography is lower than that reported previously. The large majority of these anomalies are difficult to detect on ultrasound. The findings from this study support the practice of MRI assessment in every fetus with a prenatal diagnosis of VM, although parents can be reassured of the low risk of an associated anomaly when VM is isolated on neurosonography. Copyright © 2020 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Malinger G, Paladini D, Haratz KK, Monteagudo A, Pilu GL, Timor-Tritsch IE. ISUOG Practice Guidelines (updated): sonographic examination of the fetal central nervous system. Part 1: performance of screening examination and indications for targeted neurosonography. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2020; 56:476-484. [PMID: 32870591 DOI: 10.1002/uog.22145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- G Malinger
- Division of Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - D Paladini
- Fetal Medicine and Surgery Unit, Istituto G.Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - K K Haratz
- Division of Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - A Monteagudo
- Carnegie Imaging for Women, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - G L Pilu
- Obstetric Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - I E Timor-Tritsch
- Division of Obstetrical & Gynecological Ultrasound, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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Kim SY, Liu M, Hong SJ, Toga AW, Barkovich AJ, Xu D, Kim H. Disruption and Compensation of Sulcation-based Covariance Networks in Neonatal Brain Growth after Perinatal Injury. Cereb Cortex 2020; 30:6238-6253. [PMID: 32656563 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Perinatal brain injuries in preterm neonates are associated with alterations in structural neurodevelopment, leading to impaired cognition, motor coordination, and behavior. However, it remains unknown how such injuries affect postnatal cortical folding and structural covariance networks, which indicate functional parcellation and reciprocal brain connectivity. Studying 229 magnetic resonance scans from 158 preterm neonates (n = 158, mean age = 28.2), we found that severe injuries including intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, and ventriculomegaly lead to significantly reduced cortical folding and increased covariance (hyper-covariance) in only the early (<31 weeks) but not middle (31-35 weeks) or late stage (>35 weeks) of the third trimester. The aberrant hyper-covariance may drive acceleration of cortical folding as a compensatory mechanism to "catch-up" with normal development. By 40 weeks, preterm neonates with/without severe brain injuries exhibited no difference in cortical folding and covariance compared with healthy term neonates. However, graph theory-based analysis showed that even after recovery, severely injured brains exhibit a more segregated, less integrated, and overall inefficient network system with reduced integration strength in the dorsal attention, frontoparietal, limbic, and visual network systems. Ultimately, severe perinatal injuries cause network-level deviations that persist until the late stage of the third trimester and may contribute to neurofunctional impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Y Kim
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging at USC Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, 2025 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Mengting Liu
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging at USC Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, 2025 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Seok-Jun Hong
- Center for the Developing Brain, Child Mind Institute, New York, NY 10022, USA
| | - Arthur W Toga
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging at USC Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, 2025 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - A James Barkovich
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, 1 Irving St., San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Duan Xu
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, 1 Irving St., San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Hosung Kim
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging at USC Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, 2025 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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Ho Y, Herrero T, Aguinaldo J, Hahn ME, Klisser K, Ghassemi N, Alagh A, Hamlin A, Pretorius M, Horton K, Hull A, Pretorius DH. Ultrasound Measurements of Frontal Horns and the Cavum Septi Pellucidi in Healthy Fetuses in the Second and Third Trimesters of Pregnancy. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2020; 39:127-137. [PMID: 31281992 DOI: 10.1002/jum.15086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the visualization rate and size of the frontal horns (FHs) and cavum septi pellucidi (CSP) in healthy fetuses throughout pregnancy. METHODS After Institutional Review Board approval, 522 consecutive uncomplicated singleton pregnancies between 15 and 39 gestational weeks were enrolled in the study. Ultrasound measurements of the anterior horn width (AHW), center from the horn distance (CFHD), distance from the FHs to the CSP, and CSP width were retrospectively performed using axial transventricular or transcerebellar planes. Available maternal body mass indices were recorded. RESULTS At least 1 FH was seen in 78% of the cases. The mean AHW decreased over the second trimester and plateaued in the third trimester. The CFHD plateaued in the second trimester and increased in the third trimester. Downside FHs were generally larger than upside FHs. More FHs were measured in transventricular (69%) than transcerebellar (31%) planes. Frontal horns were seen with high, low, and no confidence in 57%, 21%, and 22% of cases, respectively. No-confidence rates were 17% in the second trimester and 42% in the third trimester. The CSP was not visualized in 4% of cases; 15 of 19 cases of a nonvisualized CSP were scanned between 18 and 37 weeks. Mean body mass indices ± SDs were 27.6 ± 6.7 kg/m2 for the patients in cases of a visualized CSP and 32.4 ± 9.1 kg/m2 for the patients in cases of a nonvisualized CSP. CONCLUSIONS Normative data for the fetal FH and CSP width were established. Frontal horns are more frequently seen on transventricular views and are difficult to confidently assess in the late third trimester. This study challenges previously reported data that the CSP is seen in 100% of cases from 18 to 37 weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoona Ho
- University of California, San Diego, Maternal-Fetal Care and Genetics, San Diego, California, USA
- Departments of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Tiffany Herrero
- Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
- Stanford University Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jennifer Aguinaldo
- University of California, San Diego, Maternal-Fetal Care and Genetics, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Michael E Hahn
- University of California, San Diego, Maternal-Fetal Care and Genetics, San Diego, California, USA
- Departments of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Kristin Klisser
- University of California, San Diego, Maternal-Fetal Care and Genetics, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Neda Ghassemi
- University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Amy Alagh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, San Francisco, Fresno, California, USA
| | - Alyssa Hamlin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | | | | | - Andrew Hull
- University of California, San Diego, Maternal-Fetal Care and Genetics, San Diego, California, USA
- Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Dolores H Pretorius
- University of California, San Diego, Maternal-Fetal Care and Genetics, San Diego, California, USA
- Departments of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
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Paladini D, Donarini G, Rossi A. Indications for MRI in fetal isolated mild ventriculomegaly… 'And then, there were none'. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2019; 54:151-155. [PMID: 30908809 DOI: 10.1002/uog.20269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- D Paladini
- Fetal Medicine and Surgery Unit, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - G Donarini
- Fetal Medicine and Surgery Unit, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - A Rossi
- Neuroradiology Unit, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
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13
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Di Mascio D, Sileo FG, Khalil A, Rizzo G, Persico N, Brunelli R, Giancotti A, Panici PB, Acharya G, D'Antonio F. Role of magnetic resonance imaging in fetuses with mild or moderate ventriculomegaly in the era of fetal neurosonography: systematic review and meta-analysis. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2019; 54:164-171. [PMID: 30549340 DOI: 10.1002/uog.20197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 10/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To report the rate of additional central nervous system (CNS) anomalies detected exclusively on prenatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in fetuses diagnosed with isolated mild or moderate ventriculomegaly (VM) on ultrasound, according to the type of ultrasound protocol adopted (dedicated neurosonography vs standard assessment of the fetal brain), and to explore whether the diagnostic performance of fetal MRI in detecting such anomalies is affected by gestational age at examination and laterality and degree of ventricular dilatation. METHODS MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Clinicaltrials.gov were searched for studies reporting on the prenatal MRI assessment of fetuses diagnosed with isolated mild or moderate VM (ventricular dilatation of 10-15 mm) on ultrasound. Additional anomalies detected only on MRI were classified as callosal, septal, posterior fossa, white matter, intraventricular hemorrhage, cortical, periventricular heterotopia, periventricular cysts or complex malformations. The rate of additional anomalies was compared between fetuses diagnosed on dedicated neurosonography, defined as a detailed assessment of the fetal brain, according to the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology guidelines, and those diagnosed on standard fetal brain assessment. The rate of additional CNS anomalies missed on prenatal MRI and detected only at birth was calculated and compared between fetuses that had early (at or before 24 weeks' gestation) and those that had late (after 24 weeks) MRI. Subanalysis was performed according to the laterality (uni- vs bilateral) and degree (mild vs moderate, defined as ventricular dilatation of 10-12 and 13-15 mm, respectively) of ventricular dilatation. Whether MRI assessment led to a significant change in prenatal management was explored. Random-effects meta-analysis of proportions was used. RESULTS Sixteen studies (1159 fetuses) were included in the systematic review. Overall, MRI detected an anomaly not identified on ultrasound in 10.0% (95% CI, 6.2-14.5%) of fetuses. However, when stratifying the analysis according to the type of ultrasound assessment, the rate of associated anomalies detected only on MRI was 5.0% (95% CI, 3.0-7.0%) when dedicated neurosonography was performed compared with 16.8% (95% CI, 8.3-27.6%) in cases that underwent a standard assessment of the fetal brain in the axial plane. The overall rate of an additional anomaly detected only at birth and missed on prenatal MRI was 0.9% (95% CI, 0.04-1.5%) (I2 , 0%). There was no difference in the rate of an associated anomaly detected only after birth when fetal MRI was carried out before, compared with after, 24 weeks of gestation (P = 0.265). The risk of detecting an associated CNS abnormality on MRI was higher in fetuses with moderate than in those with mild VM (odds ratio, 8.1 (95% CI, 2.3-29.0); P = 0.001), while there was no difference in those presenting with bilateral, compared with unilateral, dilatation (P = 0.333). Finally, a significant change in perinatal management, mainly termination of pregnancy owing to parental request, following MRI detection of an associated anomaly, was observed in 2.9% (95% CI, 0.01-9.8%) of fetuses undergoing dedicated neurosonography compared with 5.1% (95% CI, 3.2-7.5%) of those having standard assessment. CONCLUSIONS In fetuses undergoing dedicated neurosonography, the rate of a CNS anomaly detected exclusively on MRI is lower than that reported previously. Early MRI has an excellent diagnostic performance in identifying additional CNS anomalies, although the findings from this review suggest that MRI performed in the third trimester may be associated with a better detection rate for some types of anomaly, such as cortical, white matter and intracranial hemorrhagic anomalies. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Di Mascio
- Department of Gynecological-Obstetric and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - F G Sileo
- Fetal Medicine Unit, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University of London, London, UK
| | - A Khalil
- Fetal Medicine Unit, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University of London, London, UK
- Vascular Biology Research Centre, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - G Rizzo
- Division of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Ospedale Cristo Re, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First I.M. Sechenov Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - N Persico
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology 'L. Mangiagalli', Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Science and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - R Brunelli
- Department of Gynecological-Obstetric and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - A Giancotti
- Department of Gynecological-Obstetric and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - P B Panici
- Department of Gynecological-Obstetric and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - G Acharya
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Women's Health and Perinatology Research Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - F D'Antonio
- Women's Health and Perinatology Research Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Northern Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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14
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Van den Veyver IB. Prenatally diagnosed developmental abnormalities of the central nervous system and genetic syndromes: A practical review. Prenat Diagn 2019; 39:666-678. [PMID: 31353536 DOI: 10.1002/pd.5520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Developmental brain abnormalities are complex and can be difficult to diagnose by prenatal imaging because of the ongoing growth and development of the brain throughout pregnancy and the limitations of ultrasound, often requiring fetal magnetic resonance imaging as an additional tool. As for all major structural congenital anomalies, amniocentesis with chromosomal microarray and a karyotype is the first-line recommended test for the genetic work-up of prenatally diagnosed central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities. Many CNS defects, especially neuronal migration defects affecting the cerebral and cerebellar cortex, are caused by single-gene mutations in a large number of different genes. Early data suggest that prenatal diagnostic exome sequencing for fetal CNS defects will have a high diagnostic yield, but interpretation of sequencing results can be complex. Yet a genetic diagnosis is important for prognosis prediction and recurrence risk counseling. The evaluation and management of such patients is best done in a multidisciplinary team approach. Here, we review general principles of the genetic work-up for fetuses with CNS defects and review categories of genetic causes of prenatally diagnosed CNS phenotypes.
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15
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Prayer D, Paladini D, Deprest J. Current Controversies in Prenatal Diagnosis 1: Should MRI be performed on all fetuses with mild ventriculomegaly? Prenat Diagn 2019; 39:331-338. [PMID: 30614017 DOI: 10.1002/pd.5416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
A ventricular diameter of 10 mm correlates with more than two standard deviations of the normal and hence is qualified as ventriculomegaly. The relevance of this is dependent on whether there are associated infectious, genetic, or structural problems. The chance for neurodevelopmental delay in isolated ventriculomegaly less than 15 mm is 7.9% (4.7-11.1), and less if it is unilateral. It can be further divided in mild (10-12) or moderate (13-15), though this is not widely accepted. As part of the workup, structural assessment today may include ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging, or both. Discussants agreed that the diagnostic performance of both methods is as good as the expertise with which the images are acquired and interpreted. Discussants agreed that when the initial neurosonogram is normal, the likelihood of finding significant findings on MRI is low. Nevertheless, some anomalies may only be picked up or better worked out by fetal MRI. In utero follow-up is advocated, as progression may indicate a poorer outcome, and some conditions are only obvious late in pregnancy. Most benefit for future patients is expected from appropriate training in prenatal neuroimaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Prayer
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Division of Neuroradiology and Musculoskeletal Radiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dario Paladini
- Fetal Medicine and Surgery Unit, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Jan Deprest
- Clinical Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, and Academic Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
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16
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Ruth Gründahl F, Hammer K, Braun J, Oelmeier de Murcia K, Köster HA, Möllers M, Steinhard J, Klockenbusch W, Schmitz R. Fetal brain development in diabetic pregnancies and normal controls. J Perinat Med 2018; 46:797-803. [PMID: 30150484 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2017-0341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Objective:
To compare the fetal brain structures assessed in routine sonographic scans during the second and third trimesters in diabetic and normal pregnancies.
Methods:
In this retrospective study, we measured the head circumference (HC), the transversal diameter of the cerebellum (TCD) and the sizes of the cisterna magna (CM), the cavum septi pellucidi (CSP) and the lateral ventricles (LV) in stored sonographic scans between 20 and 41 weeks of gestation. We compared 231 fetuses of diabetic mothers (diabetic group) to 231 fetuses of normal pregnancies (control group) matched by gestational age. The diabetic group was divided into three subgroups: pre-existing maternal diabetes, diet-controlled gestational diabetes and insulin-dependent gestational diabetes.
Results:
The mean widths of the CSP and LV were larger in fetuses of diabetic mothers in comparison with the controls (P<0.001, P<0.001; respectively). The sizes of HC, CM and TCD were similar in both groups. These results were consistent across the three subgroups.
Conclusions:
Diabetes is associated with altered fetal brain development. We would like to introduce the increased widths of CSP and LV as potential markers for gestational diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Ruth Gründahl
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Münster, Germany, Phone: +49-16095211934, Fax +49-2518348210.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Franziskus-Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Kerstin Hammer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Janina Braun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | - Helen Ann Köster
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Mareike Möllers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Johannes Steinhard
- Department of Fetal Cardiology, Heart and Diabetes Center North Rhine-Westphalia, Georgstraße 11, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Walter Klockenbusch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Ralf Schmitz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
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