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In this study, we aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying oligohydramnios in foetal growth restriction (FGR), focusing on the contribution of renal structural and functional abnormalities. A guinea pig model of maternal nutrient restriction (MNR) was established to induce FGR. Pregnant guinea pigs were divided into control and MNR groups. Foetuses were classified as appropriate for gestational age (AGA) or FGR based on body weight. Amniotic fluid and foetal kidneys were collected at gestational days 60–61. Amniotic fluid biomarkers were measured. Histopathology was performed to evaluate renal morphology. MNR resulted in a 25% reduction in foetal body and placental weights and a 50% reduction in amniotic fluid volume compared with AGA controls. Histological analyses revealed renal injury in FGR foetuses, characterised by podocyte foot process effacement, endothelial damage, and disruption of the tubular basement membrane. These structural abnormalities indicate impaired glomerular filtration and defective tubular reabsorption. Amniotic fluid concentrations of albumin, cystatin C, and liver-type fatty acid–binding protein were higher in FGR than in controls, reflecting glomerular leakage and tubular oxidative stress. These findings are consistent with reduced foetal urine production and development of oligohydramnios. They indicate that oligohydramnios in MNR-induced FGR is associated with compromised renal integrity.

Maternal perception of decreased fetal movement is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. Although there have been several studies on interventions related to the fetal movements count, most focused on adverse perinatal outcomes, and little is known about the impact of the fetal movement count on maternal behavior after the perception of decreased fetal movement. We investigated the impact of the daily fetal movement count on maternal behavior after the perception of decreased fetal movement and on the stillbirth rate in this prospective population-based study. Pregnant women in Shiga prefecture of Japan were asked to count the time of 10 fetal movements from 34 weeks of gestation. We analyzed 101 stillbirths after the intervention compared to 121 stillbirths before the intervention. In multivariable analysis, maternal delayed visit to a health care provider after the perception of decreased fetal movement significantly reduced after the intervention (aOR 0.31, 95% CI 0.11–0.83). Our regional stillbirth rates in the pre-intervention and post-intervention periods were 3.06 and 2.70 per 1000 births, respectively. Informing pregnant women about the fetal movement count was associated with a reduction in delayed maternal reaction after the perception of decreased fetal movement, which might reduce stillbirths.

Background Cesarean scar defects can lead to long-term complications, such as cesarean scar disorders, cesarean scar pregnancy, and the risk of uterine scar dehiscence and rupture in subsequent pregnancy. However, the optimal closure technique to prevent the development of cesarean scar defects (CSD) remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to explore whether two-layer interrupted versus two-layer continuous sutures could prevent the formation of CSD. Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted in a single university hospital in Japan. We recruited pregnant women with ≥ 20 primary or previous cesarean sections. Participants were randomly assigned to either a two-layer interrupted or a two-layer continuous suture group. Residual myometrial thickness (RMT) and the depth of CSD were measured using sonohysterography, 6–8 months post-cesarean section. In addition, the rate of severe CSD, defined as a loss of over 50% of the myometrium, was examined. Results Of the 220 study participants, 43 dropped out; 89 in the interrupted group and 88 in the continuous group underwent sonohysterography. No significant difference in RMT was observed in the interrupted and continuous groups (median 8.1 [interquartile range, 6.2–9.9] mm and 7.9 [4.6–10.3] mm, respectively). However, the incidence of severe CSD in the interrupted group was significantly lower than that in the continuous group (2% versus 22%, p  < 0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the factors contributing to developing severe CSD were interrupted suture (odds ratio [OR]: 0.04, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 0.006–0.281, p  = 0.0011), the difference in myometrial thickness between the fundal and cervical sides at the center of the uterine wound before suturing (OR: 1.65, 95%CI: 1.144–2.367, p  = 0.0072), and retroversion of the uterus at 6–8 months after cesarean section (OR: 3.42, 95%CI: 1.074–10.946, p  = 0.0374). Conclusion This study suggested that two-layer interrupted sutures are superior to two-layer continuous sutures in preventing the development of severe CSD. Trial registration Clinical trial identification number: University Hospital Medical Information Network registration code, UMIN000040601. URL of the registration site: https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000046334 .

Although premature constriction or closure of the ductus arteriosus (PCDA) is associated with poor prognosis and early delivery is considered before deterioration occurs, some cases may improve and have a good prognosis, but the changes in fetal Doppler during the reopening of the ductus arteriosus are unclear, as are the factors related to its reopening. We encountered two cases of PCDA. In the first case, right cardiac function and ductus venosus flow normalized in a few days and the ductus arteriosus reopened spontaneously, and became vaginal delivery at 37 weeks of gestation. In the second case, labor induction was performed due to confirmed fetal cardiac stress associated with the closure of the ductus arteriosus at 38 weeks of gestation, and cesarean section was performed due to non-reassuring fetal status. The improvement in the right ventricular myocardial performance index, ductus venosus pulsatility index, the tendency for ductus arteriosus diastolic velocity to decrease, and confirmation of prograde flow into the pulmonary artery within a few days could serve as predictive indicators for the reopening of the ductus arteriosus.

This case report describes a rare instance of a 33-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who experienced a pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia, eclampsia, and postpartum atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). At 28 weeks and four days of gestation, the patient presented with severe hypertension, proteinuria, and a loss of consciousness, leading to an emergency cesarean section. Postoperatively, the patient developed acute kidney injury, respiratory failure, and thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Although she exhibited the classic triad of hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and renal dysfunction, normal complement levels ruled out postpartum exacerbation of SLE, and aHUS was not diagnosed during hospitalization. Differential diagnoses, including HELLP (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzyme levels, and Low Platelet levels) syndrome, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC)-HUS, were excluded. Schistocytes appeared on postoperative day 5, leading to the cessation of tacrolimus and the initiation of prednisolone. Continuous hemodiafiltration and mechanical ventilation facilitated gradual recovery, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 26. Post-discharge genetic testing revealed no pathogenic mutations; however, the clinical presentation supported a diagnosis of aHUS. aHUS driven by excessive complement activation requires prompt recognition and treatment with plasma exchange or anti-complement monoclonal antibodies (e.g., eculizumab). In this case, delayed recognition of aHUS precluded the use of such therapies. This case highlights the importance for clinicians to consider the possibility of aHUS in postpartum patients with severe renal dysfunction and TMA symptoms, even if the patient has an underlying SLE, as early diagnosis and treatment of aHUS is necessary to improve maternal outcomes.

Pemphigoid gestationis (PG) is a rare autoimmune blistering disorder that typically manifests during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. It is characterized by intensely pruritic urticarial plaques and blister formation, driven by an autoimmune response against the BP180 protein in the basement membrane. In this report, three cases of PG are presented, each illustrating distinct clinical courses and management strategies. The first case involves a 32-year-old primigravida at 31 weeks of gestation who presented with abdominal blisters that were unresponsive to topical steroids. Oral prednisone at a dosage of 15 mg was initiated at 33 weeks, leading to the resolution of the rash by 37 weeks. She subsequently delivered vaginally at 40 weeks. The second case concerns a 37-year-old multigravida who developed blisters on her limbs and abdomen at 27 weeks, which improved with the application of topical steroids. Due to a history of a previous cesarean section, she delivered via elective cesarean section at 38 weeks. The third case involves a 35-year-old multigravida who experienced fetal growth restriction starting from 29 weeks. She developed a mild erythematous, pruritic rash, and blisters at 33 weeks and required an emergency cesarean section at 33 weeks due to non-reassuring fetal status. The diagnosis of PG was confirmed postpartum. These cases underscore the clinical variability and potential complications associated with PG. They also suggest that the severity of PG's cutaneous manifestations may not directly correlate with pregnancy outcomes. Early detection and individualized management are crucial to optimizing both maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Background Junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) is caused by ectopic rhythms, originating in the atrioventricular node, typically with heart rate between 200 and 250 bpm. Herein, we present a case of fetal JET with normal fetal heart rate and a review of nine cases. Case presentation A 32-year-old, gravida 2, para 1, woman in whom fetal JET could not be diagnosed prenatally because the fetal heart rate was within the normal range. The fetus was diagnosed with premature restriction of the foramen ovale, and a cesarean section was performed, owing to the right heart overload that was characterized by fetal ascites and abnormal fetal Doppler velocity. Postnatally, the female neonate was diagnosed with JET on a 12-lead electrocardiogram, which revealed a neonatal heart rate of 158 bpm with narrow QRS and atrioventricular dissociation. After failure to respond to amiodarone therapy, she was treated with flecainide, which controlled the JET rate from 120 to 150 bpm. Fetal tachycardia with ventriculo-atrial (VA) dissociation or 1:1 VA conduction with a shorter VA interval than that of atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia confirmed the diagnosis of fetal JET. Conclusions JET should be suspected even in the absence of tachycardia in patients with ductus venosus and pulmonary vein retrograde flow or tricuspid and mitral regurgitation without a cardiac anomaly, as tachycardia might sometimes be intermittent in cases of JET.

Background Uterine artery pseudoaneurysm (UAP) normally presents genital bleeding in the puerperal period, and severe hydronephrosis rarely presents during pregnancy. We report a rare case of severe ureteral obstruction accompanied by uterine artery pseudoaneurysm in the early second trimester of pregnancy, which was successfully treated by surgical intervention. Case presentation A 42-year-old nulligravid woman who had undergone myomectomy 3 years earlier was referred to our hospital for acute left abdominal pain at the 17th week of gestation. Ultrasonography showed severe left hydronephrosis and a 6-cm mass in the parauterine space. Color Doppler ultrasonography revealed a spinning turbulent flow pattern inside the mass lesion. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed the left uterine artery feeding blood flow to the mass and left ureteral obstruction by the mass. These results indicated left hydronephrosis secondary to left uterine artery pseudoaneurysm. To resolve the problem, laparotomy was performed. As uterine artery isolation was impossible, ligation of the left internal iliac artery and releasing of the ureteral obstruction were carried out. The hydronephrosis and abdominal pain promptly resolved after the surgery. Thereafter, fetal development proceeded normally in the remaining months of the pregnancy. A healthy baby was delivered through cesarean section at 36 weeks gestational age. At the cesarean section, the left lower uterine segment where the UAP had been present was not visible because of the firm adhesion in around it. Conclusions Uterine artery pseudoaneurysm can cause hydronephrosis in the early second trimester of pregnancy. Ligation of the unilateral internal iliac artery is a safe and effective intervention to block the blood flow to the uterine artery pseudoaneurysm during pregnancy, when uterine artery ligation seems not possible. In the pregnancy after previous surgical procedures to the uterus, uterine artery pseudoaneurysm should be considered in the differential diagnosis of symptomatic hydronephrosis.

Umbilical cord ulcer is related to fetal intestinal atresia or meconium; perforation of the ulcer causes fetal deterioration leading to fetal and neonatal death owing to fetal hemorrhage. However, to the best of our knowledge, a method to diagnose umbilical cord ulcer prenatally is not available. No reports exist about the prenatal findings before perforation of umbilical cord ulcer using ultrasonography. We encountered two cases of umbilical cord ulcer showing ultrasonographic finding of a linear echo around the umbilical cord. Umbilical cord ulcers with an exposed umbilical cord artery in the first case and with perforation of the artery in the second case were diagnosed postnatally. When we encounter such ultrasonographic finding, especially with polyhydramnios and high amniotic bile acid concentration in cases of fetal intestinal atresia, risk of perforation of the umbilical cord ulcer should be included in the differential diagnosis.