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Oluklu D, Menekse Beser D, Uyan Hendem D, Yildirim M, Tugrul Ersak D, Kara O, Sahin D. Small fetal thymus and adverse perinatal outcome in maternal vasculitis: A prospective case-control study. J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod 2023; 52:102646. [PMID: 37586546 DOI: 10.1016/j.jogoh.2023.102646] [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: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ultrasonographic evaluation of fetal thymus size may be used to predict the adverse perinatal outcome in pregnant women with vasculitis. AIM To compare fetal thymus size in pregnant women with vasculitis and healthy pregnant women and to evaluate whether fetal thymus size predicts the adverse perinatal outcome. METHODS Twenty-two pregnant women with previously diagnosed vasculitis, 18 of them with Behçet's disease, three with Takayasu arteritis, and one with Wegener's granulomatosis, were included in the case group. The control group comprised 66 healthy pregnant women whose gestational ages matched the case group. Thymic thoracic ratio (TTR) was measured to assess fetal thymus size in the view of three vessels and trachea. RESULTS In the case group, fetal TTR was significantly lower (0.32 ± 0.03 vs. 0.36 ± 0.02, p = < 0.001). Fetal TTR was significantly lower in those using prednisone than those not (p = .001) in the case group. There was no significant difference in fetal TTR between colchicine used and not used (p = .078) in the case group. Also, for the TTR, a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 92% were achieved with a cut-off value of 0.33 for predicting adverse perinatal outcomes. CONCLUSION The fetuses of pregnant women with maternal vasculitis had a smaller TTR. The small fetal thymus may alert clinicians to possible adverse perinatal outcomes and, with other supporting risk factors, may help predict adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with vasculitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deniz Oluklu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Perinatology, Turkish Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Dilek Menekse Beser
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Perinatology, Turkish Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Derya Uyan Hendem
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Perinatology, Turkish Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Muradiye Yildirim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Perinatology, Turkish Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Duygu Tugrul Ersak
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Perinatology, Turkish Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ozgur Kara
- University of Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Perinatology, Turkish Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital, 1604th Street, No: 9, Cankaya/Ankara, Ankara 06800, Turkey
| | - Dilek Sahin
- University of Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Perinatology, Turkish Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital, 1604th Street, No: 9, Cankaya/Ankara, Ankara 06800, Turkey
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Kim JM, Oelmeier K, Braun J, Hammer K, Steinhard J, Köster HA, Koch R, Klockenbusch W, Schmitz R, Möllers M. Fetal Thymus Size at 19-22 Weeks of Gestation: A Possible Marker for the Prediction of Low Birth Weight? Fetal Diagn Ther 2023; 51:7-15. [PMID: 37717568 DOI: 10.1159/000533964] [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: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The purpose was to compare thymus size measured during second trimester screening of fetuses who were subsequently small for gestational age at birth (weight below 10th percentile, SGA group) with fetuses with normal birth weight (control group). We hypothesized that measuring the fetal thymic-thoracic ratio (TT-ratio) might help predict low birth weight. METHODS Using three-vessel view echocardiograms from our archives, we measured the anteroposterior thymus size and the intrathoracic mediastinal diameter to derive TT-ratios in the SGA (n = 105) and control groups (n = 533) between 19+0 and 21+6 weeks of gestation. We analyzed the association between TT-ratio and SGA adjusted to the week of gestation using logistic regression. Finally, we determined the possible TT-ratio cut-off point for discrimination between SGA and control groups by means of receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS The TT-ratio was significantly higher in the SGA group than in the control group (p < 0.001). An increase of the TT-ratio by 0.1 was associated with a 3.1-fold increase in the odds of diagnosing SGA. We determined that a possible discrimination cut-off point between SGA and healthy controls was achieved using a TT-ratio of 0.390 (area under the ROC curve 0.695). CONCLUSION An increased TT-ratio may represent an additional prenatal screening parameter that improves the prediction of birth weight below the 10th percentile. Prospective studies are now needed to evaluate the use of fetal thymus size as predictive parameter for adverse fetal outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Maria Kim
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Kathrin Oelmeier
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Janina Braun
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Kerstin Hammer
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Johannes Steinhard
- Fetal Cardiology, Heart and Diabetes Center North Rhine-Westphalia, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Helen Ann Köster
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Raphael Koch
- Institute of Biostatistics and Clinical Research, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Walter Klockenbusch
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Ralf Schmitz
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Mareike Möllers
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
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Dogan Z, Guven ESG, Albayrak M, Guven S. Prenatal Sonographic Three-dimensional Virtual Organ Computer-assisted Analysis Thymic Volume Calculation May Predict Intrauterine Growth Restriction. J Med Ultrasound 2023; 31:201-205. [PMID: 38019797 PMCID: PMC10668909 DOI: 10.4103/jmu.jmu_34_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) refers to fetuses that are small for their gestational age. There is no effective test to predict this disease. The aim of our study is whether fetal three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography (USG)-assisted thymus volume (TV) measurement predicts IUGR cases. Methods Fetal 3D USG thymus measurement between 15 and 24 weeks of gestation was performed in a total of 100 women of reproductive age. Fetal TV was measured using the virtual organ computer-assisted analysis system program. All cases were followed up in terms of pregnancy complications until delivery. Results IUGR was developed in six cases in total. In cases with IUGR, mean fetal TV was found to be statistically significantly lower than in healthy cases without it. When the fetal TV was taken as 0.1645, the sensitivity was calculated as 89.5% and the specificity as 50% for predicting IUGR. The use of low fetal volume parameters is a significant and good indicator for predicting IUGR according to the binary logistic regression analysis result. Conclusion According to the results of this study, 3D fetal TV measurement may be used in routine second-trimester sonographic anomaly screening to predict the development of fetal IUGR. In this way, fetal mortality and morbidity caused by IUGR may be reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeki Dogan
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Emine Seda Guvendag Guven
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Albayrak
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Suleyman Guven
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
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Hamamoto TENK, Hatanaka AR, França MS, Sarmento SGP, Helfer TM, Nomura RMY, Araujo Júnior E, Moron AF. An enlarged fetal thymus may be the initial response to intrauterine inflammation in pregnant women at risk for preterm birth. REVISTA DA ASSOCIACAO MEDICA BRASILEIRA (1992) 2023; 69:e20221678. [PMID: 37075382 PMCID: PMC10176657 DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.20221678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Fetal thymus involvement in prematurity has been studied, and this study aimed to evaluate its relationship with short cervix and amniotic fluid sludge in the second trimester of pregnancy. METHODS In this prospective cross-sectional study, 79 pregnant women (19+0 to 24+6 weeks) were included, and cervical length and the presence or absence of amniotic fluid sludge were evaluated. In the three-vessel view of the fetal thorax, the thymus was identified, and its perimeter and transverse diameter were measured and transformed to a zeta score based on gestational age. RESULTS Data from 22 women with short cervix (<25 mm) and 57 patients with normal cervix (≥25 mm) were analyzed. The transverse diameter of the fetal thymus was significantly greater in the short cervix group compared to that of the normal cervix group (z-score 2.708 vs. -0.043, p=0.003). There were no significant differences in the perimeter (z-score -0.039 vs. -0.071, p=0.890) or the transverse diameter (z-score 1.297 vs. -0.004, p=0.091) of the fetal thymus associated with the presence (n=21) or absence of sludge (n=58). CONCLUSION A short cervix is associated with an increased transverse diameter of the fetal thymus during the second trimester of gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alan Roberto Hatanaka
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Department of Obstetrics - São Paulo (SP), Brazil
| | - Marcelo Santucci França
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Department of Obstetrics - São Paulo (SP), Brazil
| | | | - Talita Micheletti Helfer
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Department of Obstetrics - São Paulo (SP), Brazil
| | - Roseli Mieko Yamamoto Nomura
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Department of Obstetrics - São Paulo (SP), Brazil
| | - Edward Araujo Júnior
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Department of Obstetrics - São Paulo (SP), Brazil
| | - Antonio Fernandes Moron
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Department of Obstetrics - São Paulo (SP), Brazil
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Karaşin SS, Akselim B, Tosun Ö, Karaşin ZT. Decreased fetal thymus size at 24 weeks gestation by ultrasound measurement in gestational diabetes mellitus fetal thymus examination for diabetes. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2022; 48:1348-1354. [PMID: 35304802 DOI: 10.1111/jog.15229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
AIM This study aimed to evaluate the difference in fetal thymus diameter, which we measured ultrasonographically, between the healthy pregnant group and the pregnant group with gestational diabetes. METHOD Fetal thymus and thymus/thorax ratio parameters were assessed in this case-control study. Patients were examined in two groups. They included 49 diabetics (study group) women and 71 nondiabetic (control group). We performed a binary logistic regression analysis to determine the predictive value of ultrasonographic measurements. We completed the receiver curve characteristic analysis to evaluate the cut-off thymus diameter. RESULTS The median age of pregnant women was 27. Thymus diameter and thymus-thorax ratio were smaller in fetuses of diabetic mothers than in the nondiabetic group (p <0.05). Thymus diameter was found to be more predictive of gestational diabetes prediction (p: 0.019). There was no correlation between fasting blood glucose and thymus diameter. CONCLUSION Decreased fetal thymus anterior-posterior diameter seems to be associated with diabetic pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Süleyman Serkan Karaşin
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Health Sciences University Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Burak Akselim
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Health Sciences University Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Öznur Tosun
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Health Sciences University Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Zeynep T Karaşin
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Health Sciences University Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey
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Porschen C, Schmitz R, Schmidt R, Oelmeier K, Hammer K, Falkenberg M, Braun J, Köster HA, Steinhard J, Möllers M. Second trimester fetal thymus size in association to preterm birth. J Perinat Med 2022; 50:144-149. [PMID: 34710316 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2021-0065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to compare the second trimester thymus-thorax-ratio (TTR) between fetuses born preterm (study group) and those born after 37 weeks of gestation were completed (control group). METHODS This study was conducted as a retrospective evaluation of the ultrasound images of 492 fetuses in the three vessel view. The TTR was defined as the quotient of a.p. thymus diameter and a.p. thoracic diameter. RESULTS Fetuses that were preterm showed larger TTR (p<0.001) the second trimester than those born after 37 weeks of gestation were completed. The sensitivity of a binary classifier based on TTR for predicting preterm birth (PTB) was 0.792 and the specificity 0.552. CONCLUSIONS In our study, fetuses affected by PTB showed enlarged thymus size. These findings led us to hypothesize, that inflammation and immunomodulatory processes are altered early in pregnancies affected by PTB. However, TTR alone is not able to predict PTB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Porschen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Münster, Munster, Germany
| | - Ralf Schmitz
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Münster, Munster, Germany
| | - Rene Schmidt
- Institute of Biostatistics and Clinical Research, University of Münster, Munster, Germany
| | - Kathrin Oelmeier
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Münster, Munster, Germany
| | - Kerstin Hammer
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Münster, Munster, Germany
| | - Maria Falkenberg
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Münster, Munster, Germany
| | - Janina Braun
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Münster, Munster, Germany
| | - Helen Ann Köster
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Münster, Munster, Germany
| | - Johannes Steinhard
- Fetal Cardiology, Heart and Diabetes Center NRW, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Mareike Möllers
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Münster, Munster, Germany
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Keshavarz E, Rustazade Sheikhyusefi M, Khalili Pouya E, Mirzamoradi M, Khazaei M, Moharamzad Y, Sanei Taheri M. Association Between Fetal Thymus Size and Intrauterine Growth Restriction. JOURNAL OF DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY 2021. [DOI: 10.1177/87564793211054747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between reduced fetal thymus size and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). This study was devised to determine the association between thymus size and any abnormal Doppler indices within the fetal umbilical artery (UA), as well as the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Materials and Methods: Forty-six pregnancies between 20 and 38 weeks of gestation with IUGR and 46 normal pregnancies within similar gestational age (GA) range were included. The transverse diameter of fetal thymus was measured. In the IUGR group, the fetal umbilical artery (UA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) Doppler flow velocities were recorded. Results: The mean GA of fetuses with IUGR (33.5 weeks) was higher than control group (30.3 weeks). To adjust for the effect of GA, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed. The adjusted mean thymus diameters were 19.02 mm in IUGR and 21.25 within the control group (mean difference = 2.23 mm; P = .02). The mean (±SD) thymus size in 16 fetuses, with abnormal Doppler findings, was significantly lower than in the group with normal Doppler findings, 17.45 (±2.50) vs 22.02 (±5.39) mm; P < .001. Conclusion: IUGR may be associated with reduced fetal thymus size, especially when coupled with abnormal Doppler findings. The thymus size in a group of IUGR fetuses, with abnormal Doppler findings, was smaller than IUGR fetuses, with normal Doppler findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Keshavarz
- Clinical Research Development Center, Mahdieh Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Ensi Khalili Pouya
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mehdi Khazaei
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yashar Moharamzad
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Morteza Sanei Taheri
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Story L, Zhang T, Uus A, Hutter J, Egloff A, Gibbons D, Ho A, Al-Adnani M, Knight CL, Theodoulou I, Deprez M, Seed PT, Tribe RM, Shennan AH, Rutherford M. Antenatal thymus volumes in fetuses that delivered <32 weeks' gestation: An MRI pilot study. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2021; 100:1040-1050. [PMID: 32865812 PMCID: PMC7614117 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.13983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Infection and inflammation have been implicated in the etiology and subsequent morbidity associated with preterm birth. At present, there are no tests to assess for fetal compartment infection. The thymus, a gland integral in the fetal immune system, has been shown to involute in animal models of antenatal infection, but its response in human fetuses has not been studied. This study aims: (a) to generate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) -derived fetal thymus volumes standardized for fetal weight; (b) to compare standardized thymus volumes from fetuses that delivered before 32 weeks of gestation with fetuses that subsequently deliver at term; (c) to assess thymus size as a predictor of preterm birth; and (d) to correlate the presence of chorioamnionitis and funisitis at delivery with thymic volumes in utero in fetuses that subsequently deliver preterm. MATERIAL AND METHODS Women at high-risk of preterm birth at 20-32 weeks of gestation were recruited. A control group was obtained from existing data sets acquired as part of three research studies. A fetal MRI was performed on a 1.5T or 3T MRI scanner: T2 weighted images were obtained of the entire uterine content and specifically the fetal thorax. A slice-to-volume registration method was used for reconstruction of three-dimensional images of the thorax. Thymus segmentations were performed manually. Body volumes were calculated by manual segmentation and thymus:body volume ratios were generated. Comparison of groups was performed using multiple regression analysis. Normal ranges were created for thymus volume and thymus:body volume ratios using the control data. Receiver operating curves (ROC) curves were generated for thymus:body volume ratio and gestation-adjusted thymus volume centiles as predictors of preterm birth. Placental histology was analyzed where available from pregnancies that delivered very preterm and the presence of chorioamnionitis/funisitis was noted. RESULTS Normative ranges were created for thymus volume, and thymus volume was standardized for fetal size from fetuses that subsequently delivered at term, but were imaged at 20-32 weeks of gestation. Image data sets from 16 women that delivered <32 weeks of gestation (ten with ruptured membranes and six with intact membranes) and 80 control women that delivered >37 weeks were included. Mean gestation at MRI of the study group was 28+4 weeks (SD 3.2) and for the control group was 25+5 weeks (SD 2.4). Both absolute fetal thymus volumes and thymus:body volume ratios were smaller in fetuses that delivered preterm (P < .001). Of the 16 fetuses that delivered preterm, 13 had placental histology, 11 had chorioamnionitis, and 9 had funisitis. The strongest predictors of prematurity were the thymus volume Z-score and thymus:body volume ratio Z-score (ROC areas 0.915 and 0.870, respectively). CONCLUSIONS We have produced MRI-derived normal ranges for fetal thymus and thymus:body volume ratios between 20 and 32 weeks of gestation. Fetuses that deliver very preterm had reduced thymus volumes when standardized for fetal size. A reduced thymus volume was also a predictor of spontaneous preterm delivery. Thymus volume may be a suitable marker of the fetal inflammatory response, although further work is needed to assess this, increasing the sample size to correlate the extent of chorioamnionitis with thymus size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Story
- Department of Women and Children’s Health, School of Life Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK,Fetal Medicine Unit, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, UK
| | - Tong Zhang
- Artificial Intelligence Research Center, Peng Cheng Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
| | - Alena Uus
- Centre for the Developing Brain and Centre for Medical Engineering, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Jana Hutter
- Centre for the Developing Brain and Centre for Medical Engineering, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Alexia Egloff
- Centre for the Developing Brain and Centre for Medical Engineering, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Deena Gibbons
- Department of Immunobiology, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Alison Ho
- Department of Women and Children’s Health, School of Life Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
| | | | - Caroline L. Knight
- Department of Women and Children’s Health, School of Life Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK,Fetal Medicine Unit, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, UK
| | | | - Maria Deprez
- Artificial Intelligence Research Center, Peng Cheng Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
| | - Paul T. Seed
- Department of Women and Children’s Health, School of Life Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Rachel M. Tribe
- Department of Women and Children’s Health, School of Life Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew H. Shennan
- Department of Women and Children’s Health, School of Life Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Mary Rutherford
- Centre for the Developing Brain and Centre for Medical Engineering, King’s College London, London, UK
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Caissutti C, Familiari A, Khalil A, Flacco ME, Manzoli L, Scambia G, Cagnacci A, D'antonio F. Small fetal thymus and adverse obstetrical outcome: a systematic review and a meta-analysis. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2017; 97:111-121. [PMID: 29057456 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.13249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to explore the association between small fetal thymus on ultrasound and adverse obstetrical outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS Medline, Embase, Cochrane and Web of Science databases were searched. Primary outcome was the risk of preterm birth before 37 and 34 weeks of gestation in fetuses with, compared to those without, a small thymus on ultrasound. SECONDARY OUTCOMES occurrence of chorioamnionitis, intrauterine growth restriction, neonatal sepsis, gestational age at birth, birthweight, neonatal morbidity and preeclampsia. RESULTS Twelve studies including 1744 fetuses who had ultrasound assessment of thymus during pregnancy were included. Women with preterm premature rupture of the membranes or with preterm labor were at higher risk of preterm birth before 37 weeks (p = 0.01), or before 34 weeks (p < 0.001) for fetuses with a small fetal thymus compared to those without a small thymus, and the risk of chorioamnionitis was higher when the thymus was small (p < 0.001). Fetuses with small thymus were not at higher risk of intrauterine growth restriction (p = 0.3). A small thymus increased the risk of neonatal sepsis (p = 0.007) and morbidity (p = 0.003), but not the risk of preeclampsia (p = 0.9). CONCLUSIONS A small fetal thymus is associated with a higher risk of preterm birth, chorioamnionitis, neonatal sepsis and morbidity, but not with intrauterine growth restriction and preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Caissutti
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Medical Science, DISM, Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Udine, Udine
| | - Alessandra Familiari
- Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Catholic University of The Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Asma Khalil
- Fetal medicine Unit, Division of Developmental Sciences, St. George's University of London, London, UK
| | | | - Lamberto Manzoli
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giovanni Scambia
- Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Catholic University of The Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Angelo Cagnacci
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Medical Science, DISM, Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Udine, Udine
| | - Francesco D'antonio
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT - the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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