Chronic carriers of HBV had a minimally increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight but the risk was more pronounced in women with positive HBeAg status. Women with positive HBeAg status also had an increased risk of GDM.

Complete nomograms with z score reference ranges of CTR were established throughout pregnancy. These nomograms may be useful to detect cardiac abnormalities.

This review aimed to provide an update on the impact of pregnancy on the natural course of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and also on the impact of HBV infection on adverse pregnancy outcomes, including mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). For the literature review, original research articles, review articles, and guidelines were narratively reviewed and comprehensively validated. The databases of PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL were carefully searched for articles in English on topics related to HBV infection, pregnancy, and vertical transmission from 1960 to May 2021. Immunological changes during pregnancy such as suppression of Th1 response and induction of Th2 immunity lead to an impaired immune reaction to HBV and stimulate viral activity along with the reduction of CD8 T cells to escape immune detection. The impact of pregnancy on the natural course of chronic HBV infection seems to be minimal, while pregnancy can increase morbidity and mortality in the case of advanced HBV hepatitis or cirrhosis. Importantly, hepatitis flare or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) flare can occur during pregnancy and is more common during the postpartum period due to the interaction between HBV and the immune response. Interestingly, the impact of HBV infection on adverse pregnancy outcomes is more serious than ever thought. Updated evidence indicates that pregnancies with chronic HBV infection increase the risk of preterm birth and gestational diabetes, especially in cases of positive hepatitis e antigen (HBeAg).

No abstract

This series and literature review aimed to prenatally characterize the nature of axillary lymphangioma. A total of 30 cases, including our 5 cases, were analyzed. Insights gained from this review are as follows: Septate and nonseptate cysts seem to be different entities. The nonseptate type tends to be small and transient but more highly associated with aneuploidies. Septate cysts are very rarely associated with other abnormalities and hydrops fetalis, unlike cystic hygroma colli, but are more progressive with gestational age and associated with adverse outcomes. The cases with high flow have a higher risk of intralesional hemorrhage. Prenatal diagnosis is important for the route of timely delivery and possibly prenatal interventions. Shoulder dystocia is common and should always be taken into account for decisions on the route of delivery.

Objectives To identify the risk factors of placental and fetal infections among HBsAg‐positive women. Methods A prospective cohort study involving HBsAg‐positive pregnant women was conducted. Maternal risk factors, including serum HBeAg status, anti‐HBcIgM, and HBV‐DNA levels, were determined. Placental infection was identified by PCR and confirmed by DNA sequencing. Fetal infection was defined as a positive umbilical cord blood HBV‐DNA at birth. Results A total of 96 HBsAg‐positive women were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of placental infection was high (44 of 96; 45.8%) among HBsAg‐positive women. The major risk factors for placental infection were high maternal viral load and the presence of HBeAg. Fetal infection was detected in one quarter of HBsAg‐positive women (25 of 95; 25.3%). The risk of fetal infection was strongly associated with placental infection (78.3%), high maternal viral load, and the presence of HBeAg. There was no significant difference in perinatal outcomes between the groups with and without placental infection. Data on rates of chronic HBV infection in infants after fetal infection were not available. Conclusion A significant association between maternal measures of viral replication and placental and fetal infection was demonstrated. These findings suggest that transplacental infection prior to birth may be a mechanism contributing to the higher rates of newborn prophylaxis failure in women with a high viral load.

In anemic fetuses, SPE and SPEI was inversely correlated with Hb level. Additionally, SPE, better than SPEI, may be used as an adjunctive sonographic sign to predict Hb Bart's disease but its accuracy of prediction is not good enough to be used independently or as a diagnostic test. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

INT in the first trimester is associated with significantly increased risk of abortion, fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, low birth weight and pre-eclampsia.