Objective To assess three-dimensional placental volume measurement and three-dimensional power Doppler (3D-PD) indices between 10 weeks and 6 days and 13 weeks and 6 days in predicting pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and small for gestational age (SGA).Methods Three hundred and eight women undergoing fetal nuchal translucency measurement were prospectively assessed using three-dimensional ultrasound in order to measure placental volume and 3D-PD indices: vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization flow index (VFI), using the VOCAL software. The outcome was scored as normal, PIH, SGA or both.Results Eight women developed PIH and ten delivered SGA; and 17 developed PIH or SGA. The age, gestational age at the examination or delivery, number of the pregnancy and the nuchal translucency, were similar in all groups. The placental volume, FI and VFI were similar between the groups. The VI was significantly lower when PIH developed (7.86 ± 3.92 vs. 12.02 ± 7.09 in the normal group, P = 0.035). The crown-rump length (CRL) was significantly smaller in the group where either PIH or SGA developed compared to normal outcome (54.29 ± 6.50 and 59.04 ± 8.89, respectively, P = 0.02). ConclusionPlacental volume is not appropriate for early prediction of PIH or SGA, whereas the VI may be of some potential in detection of PIH. The significance of small CRL in these patients should be further tested.

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Objective: To validate the reliability and stability of the AL-SENSE panty-liner for detection of amniotic fluid in the second trimester. Study design: Amniotic fluid drawn during amniocentesis between 16 to 23 weeks of gestation was used for the study.100 µl and 400 µl of amniotic fluid, were dripped onto two panty liners, respectively. After 5 minutes the indicator strip was removed from the AL-SENSE, dried and examined. The color was recorded at time 0 and 5 minutes, and then every 10 minutes for the first 30 minutes, then at 1, 2, 6 and 12 hours. Results: 50 women were enrolled and 49 completed the study. 100% of both volume samples changed color from yellow to blue during the first 5 minutes and remained stable after twelve hours of follow-up. In the 100 μl subgroup, seven of the 49 samples (14.3%) had a delayed color change and in the 400 μl subgroup one of 49 (2.04%) had a delay in change of color. Conclusion: Amniotic fluid drawn during amniocentesis at weeks 16 - 23 of gestation have a positive, stable staining effect on the AL-SENSE panty liner. Hence, AL-SENSE may be reliable for detection of amniotic fluid leakage during the second trimester