Objective: To evaluate the flow of the superior mesenteric artery and vein both by Doppler flowmetry and simultaneously, in normal controls and in cases of gastroschisis, as additional prognostic criteria. Methods: The venous/arterial index was determined by Doppler flowmetry; reference values for the superior mesenteric vessels were obtained from a group of 60 healthy fetuses of 30 to 34 weeks and 15 cases of gastroschisis. The flow rate wave (FRW) was obtained simultaneously from both the superior mesenteric artery and vein with an angle of insonation less than 60°; the vein velocity was divided by the systolic peak of the artery and the percentage index was calculated based on the velocity of both vessels. The equipment used was a Mylab™Twice from Esaote with a 3.5 MHz convex probe. Results: The superior mesenteric venous/arterial index value in the control group was 26% ± 6 (2SD)...

Background: Achieving an ideal method to assess the potential for fetal growth is an unfulfilled aspiration in our discipline, and imposes the need for individualized evaluation using new tools and integrated multi-parameters. Objectives: To evaluate correlation and to establish cephalic/abdominal/femoral (CAF) index reference values with gestational age (GA) and estimated fetal weight, in order to classify fetal growth evolution as adequate or not adequate for gestational age, and correlation with weight of the newborn at term. Patients and methods: 1 032 simple and not complicated pregnancies 12 to 38 weeks of gestation were studied at the Polyclinic Center of Valencia, Venezuela, between 2015-2017. Ultrasound measurements and fetal weight were estimated at 3-5 weeks intervals. Studied parameters were head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL), integrat...

Doppler velocimetry is one of the most important advances in non invasive exploration of fetal condition whose information allows the maternal and fetal medicine expert in the diagnosis and conducts to preserve health of the fetus and neonate. We will briefly review advances and uses of velocimetry in perinatology.

Fetal pharmacologic therapy can be defined as any prenatal treatment administered to the mother with the primary indication of improving perinatal or long-term outcomes for the fetus and the newborn. This review provides an update on the pharmacological therapies for the fetus with anomalies. Fetal anomalies targeted with prenatal pharmacotherapy are a heterogeneous group of structural, endocrine, and metabolic conditions, including brain and spine anomaly, hyaline membrane disease prevention, congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM), congenital adrenal hyperplasia, congenital heart block, fetal tachyarrhythmia, inborn errors of metabolism, fetal thyroid disorders, and polyhydramnios. To date, most of the pharmacotherapy for fetal anomalies has been evaluated only in retrospective, uncontrolled studies. Future evaluation will be determined on evidence-based approach to prenatal ...

"Spongy cardiomyopathy" or noncompaction heart disease is a rare congenital cardiomyopathy of unknown etiology which results from a failure in embryogenesis in the evolutionary process of normal myocardial trabeculation. The characteristic echocardiographic findings of this disease consist of multiple myocardial trabeculations and deep intertrabecular recesses that communicate with the left or right ventricular cavity or both. We present a case of this cardiomyopathy that affects the right ventricle, in a fetus of 31 weeks gestation, whose mother was an asymptomatic carrier of said pathology. Prenatal ultrasound images are presented, including evaluation using the strain (myocardial deformation) technique, emphasizing the importance of the patient’s medical history, possible etiologies and differential diagnosis with other entities.

Doppler velocimetry is one of the most important advances in non invasive exploration of fetal condition whose information allows the maternal and fetal medicine expert in the diagnosis and conducts to preserve health of the fetus and neonate. We will briefly review advances and uses of velocimetry in perinatology.

The purpose of this communication is to review the importance of fetal maturity determination by non-invasive procedures using ultrasound Doppler velocimetry and grayscale. The authors emphasize the importance of precisely specifying fetal lung maturity when deciding to terminate pregnancy for various indications in order to avoid consequences of prematurity including newborn’s respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) due to absence of lung surfactant that could lead even to death. The authors coincide that a multiparameter diagnosis of gestational age calculation starts from a first ultrasound study between 5 and 10 weeks, assessment of lung vascular impedance by Doppler accompanied by intestinal maturity, degree of cerebral corticalization, presence of nuclei ossification, current biometric fetal age and estimation of weight. They conclude emphasizing that in doubt and presence of a healt...

Background: Nuchal cystic hygroma is the most frequently identified marker of chromosomal anomalies during first trimester screening. Objective: To determine the association of the nuchal cystic hygroma with chromosomal anomalies diagnosed with karyotyping done between the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Instituto Latinoamericano de Salud Reproductiva (ILSAR), Lima, Peru. Patients. Fetuses with nuchal cystic hygroma. Methods: The data were obtained from the ILSAR database between August 2007 and May 2018, the cases diagnosed by ultrasound from week 11 to 13.6. Nuchal cystic hygroma was defined as the presence of septated liquid content in the nuchal axial section with a thickness above the 95th percentile value for increased nuchal translucency value for the crown-rump length. The karyotype was obtained between the first and second trimeste...