OBJECTIVES To develop a computerized algorithm to quantify fetal heart rate (FHR) variability and compare it to perinatologists' interpretation of FHR variability. METHODS FHR variability was calculated using data from 30 women who had a fetal scalp electrode placed for a clinical indication, and compared to the assessment of FHR variability from four perinatologists who interpreted paper tra...

Non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of fetal chromosomal aneuploidies and monogenic diseases by analysing fetal DNA present in maternal plasma poses a challenging goal. In particular, the presence of background maternal DNA interferes with the analysis of fetal DNA. Using single molecule counting methods, including digital PCR and massively parallel sequencing, many of the former problems have been...

rachnoid cysts are intra-arachnoid sacs containing cerebrospinal fluid–like liquid and represent 1% of all intracranial masses in neonates.1 Although well reported, the precise etiology and pathogenesis of arachnoid cysts are uncertain. Being developmental in origin, arachnoid cysts can be detected on prenatal screening. Although sonography is used routinely for fetal assessment, it is difficul...

Placental morphology and vascularization are important stages in the evolution of pregnancies. Placental morphogenesis and angiogenesis processes are studied by two-dimensional, three-dimensional and Doppler ultrasound. Ultrasound methods provide important data on the physiology and pathophysiology of fetal-placental exchange. The macroscopic and microscopic study of the placenta brings valuabl...

Quantitation of fetal parameters by prenatal sonography enables the assessment of menstrual age and fetal development. Appropriate fetal growth can be surmised on the basis of sequential measurements, as well as the relative variation of parameters such as biparietal diameter (BPD), femur diaphysis length (FDL), abdominal circumference (AC 1, and head circumference (HC). Accurate determination ...

Our previous studies analyzing umbilical cords show that human fetuses in Japan are exposed to multiple chemicals. Because of these findings, we believe it is necessary to establish a new strategy for examining the possible delayed long-term effects caused by prenatal exposure to multiple chemical combinations and evaluating the health risk to human fetuses. In this commentary we describe our a...

deSa, D. J. (1971). Archives of Disease in Childhood, 46, 495. Rupture of fetal vessels on placental surface. Six placentae with subamniotic haematomata were studied and the lesions shown to be derived from ruptured varices of surface fetal veins. However, the changes in the vessel walls suggested that these fetal varices had been subjected to an increase of pressure for some time. Furthermore,...

Reduced fetal growth is seen in about 10% of the pregnancies but only a minority has a pathological background and is known as intrauterine growth restriction or fetal growth restriction (IUGR / FGR). Increased fetal and neonatal mortality and morbidity as well as adult pathologic conditions are often associated to IUGR. Risk factors for IUGR are easy to assess but have poor predictive value. F...

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a permanent birth defect syndrome caused by maternal consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. It is characterised by growth deficiency, central nervous system damage/dysfunction, and a unique cluster of minor facial anomalies. To assess the effectiveness of fetal alcohol syndrome prevention efforts, one must be able to estimate accurately the prevalence of fetal ...