Background
There is little knowledge about the significance of extremely high values (>655) for the ratio of
sF
lt‐1 (soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase 1) to Pl
GF
(placental growth factor). We aim to describe the time‐to‐delivery interval and maternal and perinatal outcomes when such values are demonstrated while assessing suspected or confirmed placental dysfunction based on clinical or sonographic criteria.
Methods and Results
A multicenter retrospective cohort study was performed on 237 singleton gestations between 20+0 and 37+0 weeks included at the time of first demonstrating a
sF
lt‐1/Pl
GF
ratio >655. Clinicians were aware of this result, but standard protocols were followed for delivery indication. Main outcomes were compared for women with and without preeclampsia at inclusion. In those with preeclampsia (n=185, of whom 77.3% had fetal growth restriction), severe preeclampsia features and fetal growth restriction in stages
III
or
IV
were present in 49.2% and 13.5% cases, respectively, at inclusion and in 77.3% and 28.6% cases, respectively, at delivery. In the group without preeclampsia (n=52, 82.7% had fetal growth restriction), these figures were 0% and 30.8%, respectively, at inclusion and 21.2% and 50%, respectively, at delivery. Interestingly, 28% of women without initial preeclampsia developed it later. The median time to delivery was 4 days (interquartile range: 1–6 days) and 7 days (interquartile range: 3–12 days), respectively (
P
<0.01). Overall, perinatal mortality was 62.1% before 24 weeks; severe morbidity surpassed 50% before 29 weeks but became absent from 34 weeks. Maternal serious morbidity was high at any gestational age.
Conclusions
An
sF
lt‐1/Pl
GF
ratio >655 is almost invariably associated with preeclampsia or fetal growth restriction that progresses rapidly. In our tertiary care settings, we observed that maternal adverse outcomes were high throughout gestation, whereas perinatal adverse outcomes diminished as pregnancy advanced.
We report a case of a twin-reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence complication in monochorionic triplets, in which both normal fetuses were directly connected to the umbilical cord of the acardiac fetus, thus both acting as a pump twin. Doppler ultrasound showed a significant waveform pattern with two superposed systolic waveforms in the same vessel. After birth, placental findings confirmed the existence of two direct pump twins. The Doppler pattern described here may be of help to distinguish the existence of two pump twins in a triplet monochorionic pregnancy with TRAP.
Postnatal penile length is a reliable, standardized, and widely used marker for the diagnosis of genitourinary pathology, as well as genetic and hormonal disorders. In contrast, prenatal diagnosis has not been developed equally and there is a lack of relevant literature. Our objective is to review the studies on fetal penile length, and apply findings to clinical practice. Although the most used technique is the outer penile length, there is no consensus regarding the appropriate technique for prenatal measurement. Several reports have provided reference data with high correlation. However, important issues like poor correlation with post-natal measures or presence of confounding variables are still present. Diagnosis of both a micropenis and macropenis can indicate related pathologies, and this information may benefit parental counseling and facilitate fetal management. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out prospective studies that provide reliable normative data.
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