Objective. The purpose of our study was to determine whether fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides additional information that might affect the obstetric management of pregnancies complicated by sonographically diagnosed fetal urinary tract anomalies. Methods. Fetal MRI and sonography were used to study 39 women with suspected fetal urinary tract anomalies in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Results. In 24 of 39 cases (61%), fetal MRI confirmed the sonographic diagnosis. In 14 cases (36%), fetal MRI modified the initial sonographic diagnosis and counseling but did not change obstetric management. In 1 case (3%), the addition of fetal MRI resulted in a substantial change in the management of the pregnancy. Conclusions. During the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, fetal MRI showed fetal urinary tract anomalies in excellent anatomic detail. Fetal MRI is a useful complementary tool in the assessment of sonographically diagnosed fetal urinary tract anomalies. In a small percentage of cases, it can have a substantial impact on obstetric management. Key words: duplicated renal collecting system; fetal magnetic resonance imaging; fetal urinary tract anomalies; multicystic dysplastic kidneys; prenatal sonography. Abbreviations MCDK, multicystic dysplastic kidney; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging nomalies of the fetal genitourinary system occur in 0.1% to 1% of all pregnancies and account for 14% to 40% of anomalies detected by prenatal sonography.1,2 Sonography is an accurate method of evaluating the fetal genitourinary system. However, factors such as body habitus, fetal position, and oligohydramnios can prevent optimal sonographic visualization.1 Fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly used to evaluate suspected fetal anomalies, including anomalies of the genitourinary system. Fetal MRI is particularly useful in imaging fetuses with urinary tract abnormalities resulting in oligohydramnios or anhydramnios. We describe the complementary roles of sonography and MRI in the diagnosis and management of 39 cases of prenatally diagnosed fetal urinary tract abnormalities.
The majority of patients with fetal gastroschisis were delivered before 37 weeks of gestation with a significant proportion delivering due to spontaneous onset of preterm labor. In addition to antepartum surveillance for fetal well-being, monitoring patients for symptoms and signs of preterm labor is recommended.
IMPORTANCE Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) rates in the United States remain high and have changed little in the last decade. OBJECTIVE To develop a consistent BPD prevention bundle in a systematic approach to decrease BPD. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This quality improvement study included 484 infants with birth weights from 501 to 1500 g admitted to a level 3 neonatal intensive care unit in the Kaiser Permanente Southern California system from 2009 through 2019. The study period was divided into 3 periods: 1, baseline (2009); 2, initial changes based on ongoing cycles of Plan-Do-Study-Act (2010-2014); and 3, full implementation of successive Plan-Do-Study-Act results (2015-2019).INTERVENTIONS A BPD prevention system of care bundle evolved with a shared mental model that BPD is avoidable. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURESThe primary outcome was BPD in infants with less than 33 weeks' gestational age (hereafter referred to as BPD <33). Other measures included adjusted BPD <33, BPD severity grade, and adjusted median postmenstrual age (PMA) at hospital discharge.Balancing measures were adjusted mortality and adjusted mortality or specified morbidities. RESULTSThe study population included 484 infants with a mean (SD) birth weight of 1070 (277) g; a mean (SD) gestational age of 28.6 (2.9) weeks; 252 female infants (52.1%); and 61 Black infants (12.6%). During the 3 study periods, BPD <33 decreased from 9 of 29 patients (31.0%) to 3 of 184 patients (1.6%) (P < .001 for trend); special cause variation was observed. The standardized morbidity ratio for the adjusted BPD <33 decreased from 1.2 (95% CI, 0.7-1.9) in 2009 to 0.4 (95% CI, 0.2-0.8) in 2019. The rates of combined grades 1, 2, and 3 BPD decreased from 7 of 29 patients (24.1%) to 17 of 183 patients (9.3%) (P < .008 for trend). Grade 2 BPD rates decreased from 3 of 29 patients (10.3%) to 5 of 183 patients (2.7%) (P = .02 for trend). Adjusted median PMA at home discharge decreased by 2 weeks, from 38.2 (95% CI, 37.3-39.1) weeks in 2009 to 36.8 (95% CI, 36.6-37.1) weeks during the last 3 years (2017-2019) of the full implementation period. Adjusted mortality was unchanged, whereas adjusted mortality or specified morbidities decreased significantly. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCEA sustained low rate of BPD was observed in infants after the implementation of a detailed BPD system of care.
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