Relationship between ultrasound parameters of the umbilical and middle cerebral arteries and intrauterine fetal distress

BACKGROUND By comprehensively analyzing the blood flow parameters of the umbilical and middle cerebral arteries,doctors can more accurately identify fetal intrauterine distress,as well as assess its severity,so that timely interventions can be implemented to safeguard the health and safety of the fetus.AIM To identify the relationship between ultrasound parameters of the umbilical and middle cerebral arteries and intrauterine distress.METHODS Clinical data of pregnant women admitted between January 2021 and January 2023 were collected and divided into the observation and control groups(n=50 each),according to the presence or absence of intrauterine distress.The ultrasound hemodynamic parameters of the uterine artery(UtA),fetal middle cerebral artery(MCA),and umbilical artery(UmA)were compared with neonatal outcomes and occurrence of intrauterine distress in the two groups.RESULTS Comparison of ultrasonic hemodynamic parameters,resistance index(RI),pulsatility index(PI),and systolic maximal blood flow velocity of UmA compared to diastolic blood flow velocity(S/D),revealed higher values of fetal MCA,PI,and S/D of UmA in pregnant women with UtA compared to controls(P<0.05),while there was no difference between the two groups in terms of RI(P<0.05)The incidence of a neonatal Apgar score of 8-10 points was lower in the observation group(66.7%)than in the control group(90.0%),and neonatal weight(2675.5±27.6 g)was lower than in the control group(3117.5±31.2 g).Further,cesarean section rate was higher in the observation group(70.0%)than in the control group(11.7%),and preterm labor rate was higher in the observation group(40.0%)than in the control group(10.0%).The incidence of fetal distress,neonatal growth restriction and neonatal asphyxia were also higher in the observation group(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION Fetal MCA,UmA,and maternal UtA hemodynamic abnormalities all develop in pregnant women with intrauterine distress during late pregnancy,which suggests that clinical attention should be paid to them,and monitoring should be strengthened to provide guidance for clinical intervention.

Ultrasound blood flow characteristics changes in fetal umbilical artery thrombosis:A retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND Umbilical artery thrombosis(UAT)is extremely uncommon and leads to adverse perinatal outcomes.Hypercoagulation of blood in pregnant women is suspected to be an important risk for UAT.Ultrasound is an effective way to detect thrombosis.The mother can monitor her own fetal health using ultrasound,which enables her to take preventative action in case of emergency.AIM To investigate ultrasonic blood signal after UAT in the umbilical artery,and evaluate the relationship between hypercoagulability and UAT.METHODS We described a case of a newly formed UAT with markedly altered ultrasonic indices of umbilical artery blood flow,and retrospectively studied it with 18 UAT patients confirmed by histopathology from October 2019 and March 2023 in Xiamen Women and Children's Hospital.Patients’information was collected from medical archives,including maternal clinical data,neonatal outcomes,pathological findings and ultrasonic indices of umbilical artery blood flow,such as systolic-diastolic duration ratio(S/D),resistance index(RI),pulsatility index(PI)and peak systolic velocity(PSV).Ultrasound and coagulation indices were analyzed with matched samples t-test and Wilcoxon rank sum test using the statistical packages in R(version 4.2.1)including car(version 3.1-0)and stats(version 4.2.1),and visualized by ggplot2 package(version 3.3.6).RESULTS A patient with normal findings in second and third-trimester routine ultrasound scan developed UAT with severe changes in ultrasonic indices of umbilical artery blood flow(within 2.5th of reference ranges)in a short period of time.Statistical analysis of umbilical artery blood flow ultrasound indices for 19 patients with UAT showed that the decrease in S/D,RI,and PI and increase of PSV during the disease process was greater than that of non-UAT.All 18 patients delivered in our hospital showed characteristic manifestations of UAT on histological examination after delivery,most of which(16/18)showed umbilical cord abnormalities,with 15 umbilical cord torsion and 1 pseudoknot.Coagulation parameters were not significantly changed in UAT patients compared with normal pregnancy women.CONCLUSION Significant changes in ultrasound indicators after UAT were demonstrated.PSV can play important roles in the diagnosis of UAT.Hypercoagulability alone is not sufficient for the occurrence of UAT.

Perinatal Morbidity, Mortality, and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Neonates with Fetal Growth Restriction

Objective: This study aimed to assess perinatal morbidity, mortality rates, and neurodevelopmental outcomes in the management of fetal growth restriction (FGR) at a single tertiary institute. Methods: Among 2465 deliveries between 2013 and 2019, 109 cases of FGR were reviewed retrospectively for causes, indications for pregnancy termination, perinatal death, overall neonatal outcomes, and long-term prognosis. Results: Excluding FGR due to congenital anomalies (n = 17), the mortality rate was 3.3% (3/92). One neonate delivered at 23 weeks developed cerebral palsy (1.1%). Retinopathy of prematurity occurred in four neonates (4.3%). Neurodevelopmental disorders were present in six neonates (6.5%), all of whom were delivered at 32 - 38 weeks. Significantly lower gestational age at delivery, lower birth weight, and higher umbilical artery resistance indices were observed in neonates with neurodevelopmental disorders. Conclusions: Intact survival before 27 weeks of gestation at delivery with FGR is uncommon. Neurodevelopmental disorders may still develop after delivery at 32 - 38 weeks;consideration should be given to the timing of delivery usingfetal ductus venosus Doppler waveforms measurements to reduce neurodevelopmental disorders.

Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis caused by umbilical arterial catheter-associated abdominal aortic embolism:A case report

BACKGROUND Reports of necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC)caused by umbilical arterial catheter(UAC)-associated abdominal aortic embolism in neonates are rare.Herein,we report the case of an extremely low birth weight(ELBW)infant with NEC caused by UAC-associated abdominal aortic embolism.CASE SUMMARY A female infant,aged 21 min and weighing 830 g at 28+6 wk of gestational age,was referred to our hospital because of premature birth and shallow breathing.The patient was diagnosed with ELBW,neonatal respiratory distress syndrome,neonatal intrauterine infection,and neonatal asphyxia.Umbilical arterial and venous catheters were inserted on the day after birth and were removed 9 d later,according to the doctor’s plan.Within 48 h after extubation,the patient’s manifestations included poor responsiveness,heart rate range of 175-185/min,and currant jelly stool.Therefore,we considered a diagnosis of NEC.To determine the cause,we used B-mode ultrasound,which revealed a partial abdominal aortic embolism(2 cm×0.3 cm)and abdominal effusion.The patient was treated with nil per os,gastrointestinal decompression,anti-infective therapy,blood transfusion,and low-molecular-weight heparin sodium q12h for anticoagulant therapy(from May 20 to June 1,the dosage of low-molecular-weight heparin sodium was adjusted according to the anti-Xa activity during treatment).On the 67th day after admission,the patient fully recovered and was discharged.CONCLUSION The abdominal aortic thrombosis in this patient was considered to be catheter related,which requires immediate treatment once diagnosed.The choice of treatment should be determined according to the location of the thrombus and the patient’s condition.

Correlation between ductus venosus spectrum and right ventricular diastolic function in isolated single-umbilical-artery foetus and normal foetus in third trimester

BACKGROUND Single umbilical artery(SUA)is the most common umbilical cord malformation in prenatal diagnosis.The presence of an SUA can cause blood circulation disorder in the foetus and functional changes of the foetal heart,affecting foetal circulation.The right ventricular diastolic functions in foetuses with isolated SUA and in normal foetuses in the third trimester were evaluated using the spectral Doppler of blood flow in the foetal ductus venosus(DV).AIM To evaluate the right ventricular diastolic functions in foetuses with isolated SUA and in normal foetuses in the third trimester.METHODS Colour Doppler was used to measure the spectrum of foetal DV and tricuspid orifice in 34 foetuses with isolated SUA aged 28-39 wk and in age-matched healthy controls.The DV flow velocities and velocity ratios were measured.The early passive/late active(E/A)ratio at the tricuspid orifice and tissue Doppler Tei index of the foetal right ventricular in the two groups were also measured.RESULTS During the third trimester,the isolated SUA group showed a lower‘a’-wave peak velocity in the DV than the control group(P<0.05).The correlations between the velocity ratios and E/A ratio at the tricuspid orifice in the two groups were analysed,and the correlation between the ventricular late diastolic velocity/ventricular diastolic peak flow velocity and E/A ratios was the best(R^2of the isolated SUA group:0.520;R2 of the control group:0.358).The correlations between the velocity ratios and tissue Doppler Tei index of foetal right ventricular in the two groups were analysed,and the correlation between the pulsatility index for veins(PIV)and tissue Doppler Tei index ratios was the best(R2 of the isolated SUA group:0.865;R2 of the control group:0.627).CONCLUSION In the isolated SUA group,the atrial systolic peak velocity‘a’decreased,and this finding might be related to the changes in foetal cardiac functions.The ratio of ventricular late diastolic velocity to ventricular diastolic peak flow velocity was closely related to the E/A ratio at the tricuspid valve and can be used to identify changes in the right ventricular diastolic functions of isolated SUA and healthy foetuses.PIV was closely related to the tissue Doppler Tei index of the foetal right ventricular and can be used to identify the right ventricular overall functions of isolated SUA and healthy foetuses.

Human umbilical artery smooth muscle exhibits a 2-APBsensitive capacitative contractile response evoked by vasoactive substances and expresses mRNAs for STIM, Orai and TRPC channels

After depletion of intracellular Ca^(2+)stores the capacitative response triggers an extracellular Ca^(2+)influx through store-operated channels(SOCs)which refills these stores.Our objective was to explore if human umbilical artery smooth muscle presented this response and if it was involved in the mechanism of serotonin-and histamine-induced contractions.Intracellular Ca^(2+)depletion by a Ca^(2+)-free extracellular solution followed by Ca^(2+)readdition produced a contraction in artery rings which was inhibited by the blocker of Orai and TRPC channels 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate(2-APB),suggesting a capacitative response.In presence of 2-APB the magnitude of a second paired contraction by serotonin or histamine was significantly less than a first one,likely because 2-APB inhibited store refilling by capacitative Ca^(2+)entry.2-APB inhibition of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca^(2+)release was excluded because this blocker did not affect serotonin force development in a Ca^(2+)-free solution.The PCR technique showed the presence of mRNAs for STIM proteins(1 and 2),for Orai proteins(1,2 and 3)and for TRPC channels(subtypes 1,3,4 and 6)in the smooth muscle of the human umbilical artery.Hence,this artery presents a capacitative contractile response triggered by stimulation with physiological vasoconstrictors and expresses mRNAs for proteins and channels previously identified as SOCs.

Colour Doppler Study of Umbilical Artery in Antenatal Women with Severe Preeclampsia and Foetal Outcome

Hypertensive disorders are the most common medical complications of pregnancy (7.15%). Doppler analysis of umbilical artery S/D ratio PI and RI, absent or reversal of EDV were evaluated and follow up results studied in severe preeclampsia women between 26 to 40 weeks. Doppler analysis of Uterine Artery and Middle Cerebral Artery is also studied. Doppler study guides in decision making and follows up in severe preeclampsia and guides in reducing perinatal morbidity and mortality. Period of Study: This is a prospective randomised study conducted at Niloufer Hospital for Women and Children Red Hills Hyderabad from September 2011 to June 2014. Material and Methods: 100 pregnant women with severe preeclampsia who attended Antenatal Out-Patient Department and got admitted in Emergency ward underwent Umbilical artery velocimetry by means of a Colour doppler vision (6000 Toshiba corp Tokyo Japan) using 3.5_5 MHZ Trasabdominal traducer. Results: Total number of 100 women were studied. In this 60 women had foetuses with abnormal umbilical artery flow velocimetry and 40 had normal umbilical artery flow velocimetry. The average birth weight and diagnosis to delivery interval were lower in foetuses with abnormal umbilical artery doppler. Admission to neonatal intensive care unit is high. The APGAR score at 1 minute is <7 in 20 women with abnormal umbilical artery doppler compared to 17 women with normal umbilical artery doppler. Compared to 32 women with normal umbilical artery doppler, the APGAR score is more than 7 in 31 women with abnormal umbilical artery Doppler. P = 0.639647 and chi-square statistic = 0.2192, the result is statistically not significant at p-value < 0.05, implying that APGAR scores are not dependent on doppler findings alone. Conclusion: Doppler study guides obstetrician to assess the physiological status of the foetus and it helps in identifying the changes in the foetal circulation. This study suggests that doppler assessment of foe to placental circulation including umbilical artery is a better prognostic indicator in severe PE and helps in timely intervention. The foetuses with normal artery flow velocimetry area at a lower risk of having poor APGAR score than those with abnormal velocimetry and NICU admissions are less with normal umbilical artery flow velocimetry. The average birth weight of neonates with abnormal umbilical artery was lower compared to neonates with normal umbilical artery velocimetry.

the Shandong Electric Power Engineering Consulting Institute science and technology project(Grant No.37-K2014-33).

The damage caused by thermal stress during rewarming vitrified biosamples is one of the major obstacles for clinical purposes.Magnetic warming is a highly effective approach to overcome this hurdle and can achieve rapid and spatially homogeneous heating.The current research investigates the effects of magnetic warming on the histological and biomechanical properties of the vitrified umbilical arteries(UAs)through experiments and simulation.The results of experiments show that,for the case of magnetic warming comparing with the conventional water bath,magnetic warming presents better preservation of extracellular matrix(ECM),collagen fibers,elastic fibers,and muscle fibers of the umbilical artery.There is no significant difference between magnetothermal and fresh UAs(p>0.05)in the elastic modulus and the ultimate stress.The theoretical results reveal that the maximum temperature difference Tmax inside the biosample is 1.117±0.649℃,and the maximum thermal stressmax is 0.026±0.016 MPa.However,for the case of conventional water bath,Tmax is 32.342±0.967℃andmax is 1.453±0.047 MPa.Moreover,we have arrived at the same conclusion by simulation as theoretical calculation have.Therefore,magnetic warming can effectively reduce the thermal stress damage of biological samples during the warming period due to more uniform and rapid warming.These results confirm that magnetothermal can significantly improve the mechanical properties of large size cryopreserved tissues or organs such as UAs.

Regulation mechanisms of endocrine disruptors on vasodilation andvasoconstriction: Insights from ex vivo models

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The knowledge andunderstanding of CVD are based on the study of vascular physiology and how the smooth muscle cells and tissuesperform their different functions. Exposure to endocrine disruptors (EDCs), such as phytoestrogens, polycyclicaromatic hydrocarbons, flame retardants, plasticizers, pesticides, and cosmetics, is an integral and fundamental part ofhuman exposure. Humans are exposed to EDCs by multiple pathways including air, food, water, and consumerproducts. However, this exposure can lead to several adverse effects on human health, including on the cardiovascular(CV) system. The negative impact that EDC toxicity has on human CV health is a serious problem that must not beoverlooked. In this point of view, we proposed the use of the human umbilical artery as a human model to study thedirect effects of EDCs on the vascular level. Several works where these cells were directly exposed to EDC’s werepresented to highlight this well-established model as a great strategy to be used. In the future, we emphasize the needto continue to carry out different investigations using HUA to unveil and understand the vascular toxicity of EDCsand improve human CV health.

Postnatal development of fetuses with a single umbilical artery:differences between malformed and non-malformed infants

Background:The presence of a single umbilical artery(SUA)is a fetal soft marker of congenital abnormalities.Among the most common related malformations,there are cardiological,nephrourological and digestive anomalies,most of which are considered to have a vascular etiology.There is an association between increased incidence of intrauterine growth retardation and adverse perinatal indicators,but whether this association is due to related anomalies or isolated SUA(SUA)is controvisal.Methods:We reviewed 96 cases of iSUA and non-isolated SUA(niSUA),diagnosed in a period of two years in a referral hospital for high-risk pregnancies.Data on prenatal explorations,including fetal ultrasonography and karyotyping,were obtained.niSUA was diagnosed when no malformations were found prenatally or in postnatal evaluation.Results:Sixty-six newborns(68.8%)had no other anomalies and 30(31.3%)presented with a variety of malformations including heart diseases,urophaties,digestive,nervous and musculoskeletal disorders,genetic abnormalities and complex malformations.Cardiological and nephrourological abnormalities were found to be the most frequent association with a SUA(both in 23.8%of malformed SUA newborns).Intrauterine growth restriction was not higher in iSUA newborns than in a normal population.Utrasound allowed optimal prenatal diagnosis in most cases.Conclusions:The prognosis of the fetus with a SUA is determined by the presence of other malformations observed by an expert sonographer.If no other findings are made,only a routine physical examination should be performed in newborns,but no other complementary examinations are required.

EXTRINSIC COMPRESSION OF THE LOWER URETER BY A PATENT UMBILICAL ARTERY REPORT OF TWO CASES

Hydroureteronephrosis secondary to a patent umbilical artery is a rare condition.It was first

Umbilical Artery Embolism:A Case Report and Literature Review

Umbilical cord(UC)embolism is a rare,life-threatening complication of pregnancy.The exact cause of this condition is not yet known.Women with more than one UC abnormality are at risk of UC obstruction;this condition can lead to stasis,ischemia,and in some cases,thrombosis.However,many women with UC abnormalities remain undetected and may not be recognized until after birth.Here,we present a case involving the prenatal diagnosis and successful treatment of umbilical artery embolism in the third trimester with good maternal and fetal outcomes.The risk of UC embolism increases when more than one UC abnormality is identified in a single case.Ultrasound examination in the third trimester of pregnancy should be able to verify the existence of two arteries and one vein in the UC.If necessary,these results can be compared with ultrasound imaging acquired during the first trimester of pregnancy.

The Clinical Value of Artery Umbilical Cord Blood Gas in Predicting Neonate Condition:A Prospective Cohort Study

Objective:To evaluate the predictive ability of neonate condition through the traditional parameters and artery umbilical cord blood gas(aUCBG).Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted in obstetrics and gynecology department between October 2017 and August 2018 at Tongji Hospital in Wuhan,China,and 360 aUCBG samples were collected.The average age of pregnant women was(29.50±4.42)years,range from 19 to 48 years old.The gestational age range from 28+4 weeks to 41+3 weeks at admission.Logistic regression and area under the curve(AUC)from Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to identify risk factors,such as,premature rupture of membranes(PROM),high blood pressure,premature delivery(PD),low 1-minute Apgar scores(Apgar 1),low 5-minute Apgar scores(Apgar 5),pH,base excess,bicarbonate,neonatal blood sugar(NBS),and so on,to predict neonatal condition and evaluate the predictive ability of traditional and aUCBG parameters.Results:In all cases,PROM,PD,Apgar 1,Apgar 5,pH,base excess,bicarbonate,total carbon dioxide,and neonatal blood sugar were risk factors and were associated with poor condition of neonate.Apgar 1 were an independent risk factor.Combined traditional and aUCBG parameters had higher AUC of 0.895(95%confidence interval(C/):0.830-0.960,P<0.001).In cesarean section subgroup,high blood pressure,PD,and Apgar 1 were risk factors and were associated with poor condition of neonate.Apgar 1 and low pH were the independent risk factors.Combined traditional and aUCBG parameters had highest AUC of 0.940(95%C/:0.886-0.993,P<0.001).In vaginal delivery subgroup,maternal age above 35 years,PROM,PD,Apgar 1,Apgar 5,and male newborn were risk factors and were associated with poor condition of neonate.Maternal age above 35 years was an independent risk factor.Combined traditional and aUCBG parameters had highest AUC of 0.897(95%Cl:0.828-0.965,P<0.001).For pregnant women without comorbidities and complications of pregnancy,aUCBG may not be necessat7.Conclusion:In high-risk pregnancies,especially lower Apgar scores,PD,and maternal age above 35-year old,aUCBG is recommended.Traditional parameters combined with aUCBG might increase the predicting ability of neonate condition.

Fetal Hemodynamics and Fetal Growth Indices by Ultrasound in Late Pregnancy and Birth Weight in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Background： The offspring of women with gestational diabetes mellitus （GDM） are prone to macrosomia. However, birth weight is difficult to be correctly estimated by ultrasound because of fetal asymmetric growth characteristics. This study aimed to investigate the correlations between fetal hemodynamics, fetal growth indices in late pregnancy, and birth weight in GDM. Methods： A total of 147 women with GDM and 124 normal controls （NC） were enrolled in this study. Fetal hemodynamic indices, including the systolic/diastolic ratio （S/D）, resistance index （RI）, pulsatility index （PI） of umbilical artery （UA）, middle cerebral artery （MCA）, and renal artery （RA）, were collected. Fetal growth indices, including biparietal diameter （BPD）, head circumference （HC）, abdominal circumference （AC）, and femur length, were also measured by ultrasound. Birth weight, newborn gender, and maternal clinical data were collected. Results： The independent samples t-test showed that BPD, HC, and AC were larger in GDM than in NC （P 〈 0.05）. Fetal hemodynamic indices of the UA and MCA were lower （P 〈 0.05）, but those of the RA were higher （P 〈 0.001 ） in GDM than in NC. Birth weight was higher in GDM than in NC （P 〈 0.001）. Pearson＇s correlation analysis showed that hemodynamic indices of the UA were negatively correlated with birth weight, BPD, HC, and AC in both groups （P 〈 0.05）. MCA （S/D, PI, and RI） was negatively correlated with birth weight, HC, and AC in GDM （i- = -0.164, -0.206, -0.200, -0.226, -0.189, -0.179, -0.196, -0.177, and - 0.172, respectively, P 〈 0.05）, but there were no correlations in NC （P 〉 0.05）. RA （S/D, PI, and RI） was positively correlated with birth weight in GDM （r = 0.168, 0.207, and 0.184, respectively, P 〈 0.05）, but there were no correlations in NC （P 〉 0.05）. Conclusion： Fetal hemodynamic indices in late pregnancy might be helpful for estimating newborn birth weight in women with GDM.