Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology : the official journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol · Apr 2014
ReviewWhich factors are associated with trainees' confidence in performing obstetric and gynecological ultrasound examinations?
To explore the association between clinical training characteristics and trainees' level of confidence in performing ultrasound scans independently. ⋯ Clinical experience and time spent in specialized ultrasound units were predictors of trainees' confidence in performing ultrasonography independently. Discrepancies between trainees' confidence and their expected levels of performance raised concerns about the adequacy of current ultrasound training programs.
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Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol · Mar 2014
ReviewNon-invasive prenatal testing for fetal chromosomal abnormalities by low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of maternal plasma DNA: review of 1982 consecutive cases in a single center.
To review the performance of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) by low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of maternal plasma DNA at a single center. ⋯ Low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of maternal plasma DNA was highly accurate in detecting common trisomies. It also enabled the detection of other aneuploidies and structural chromosomal abnormalities with high positive predictive value.
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Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol · Mar 2014
Changes in fetal Doppler indices as a marker of failure to reach growth potential at term.
To evaluate whether changes in the middle cerebral artery (MCA), umbilical artery (UA) and cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) Doppler indices at term might be used to identify those appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) fetuses that are failing to reach their growth potential (FRGP). ⋯ AGA pregnancies may present with fetal cerebral and placental blood flow redistribution indicative of fetal hypoxemia. Fetal Doppler assessment may be of value in detecting AGA pregnancies that are subject to placental insufficiency, fetal hypoxemia and FRGP. Future studies are needed to evaluate the appropriate threshold for the diagnosis of FRGP and the diagnostic performance of this new approach for the management of growth disorders.
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Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol · Feb 2014
Multicenter Study Observational StudySonographic prediction of vaginal delivery in prolonged labor: a two-center study.
To investigate whether head-perineum distance (HPD) measured by transperineal ultrasound is predictive of vaginal delivery and time remaining in labor in nulliparous women with prolonged first stage of labor and to compare the predictive value with that of angle of progression (AoP). ⋯ Transperineal ultrasound measurement of HPD and AoP provide important information about the likelihood of vaginal delivery and the time remaining in labor in nulliparous women with prolonged labor.
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Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol · Jan 2014
Isolated ventricular septal defects in the era of advanced fetal echocardiography: risk of chromosomal anomalies and spontaneous closure rate from diagnosis to age of 1 year.
To evaluate, in a cohort of 248 fetuses seen at a tertiary referral center, the frequency of isolated ventricular septal defects (VSD) among all congenital heart defects (CHD), the association with chromosomal and postnatal anomalies and the rate of spontaneous closure. ⋯ In our fetal cardiology unit, isolated muscular VSD is today the most prevalent CHD. In contrast to the findings of postnatal studies, muscular VSDs were more common than perimembranous VSDs. Perimembranous VSDs were associated with a higher risk of chromosomal anomalies than were muscular VSDs, which had a similar risk to those of normal pregnancies. Spontaneous closure of the VSD was frequent and occurred in most cases postnatally.