Acceleration time to Ejection time ratio in fetal pulmonary artery system can predict neonatal respiratory disorders in gestational diabetic mellitus women

BACKGROUND: Few researches studied fetal pulmonary pulse wave doppler and the clinical end point disorders in gestational diabetic mellitus (GDM) cohort. OBJECTIVE: To investigate fetal pulmonary artery acceleration time to ejection time ratio (PATET) in the prediction of neonatal respiratory disorders (NRD). METHODS: 238 pregnant women diagnosed with GDM who attended our hospital between February 2018 and March 2020 were retrospectively included. Fetal pulmonary artery Doppler wave measurements were recorded, including main, left and right pulmonary artery blood flow, and left and right peripheral pulmonary artery blood flow. Acceleration time (At)/ejection time (Et) were calculated. RESULTS: 183 GDM pregnant women and neonates were divided into NRD(+)(n = 42) and NRD(–) group (n = 141). 16 cases were neonatal pneumonia (NP) within 28 days after birth in NRD(+) group. The area under curve (AUC) of left peripheral pulmonary artery acceleration time to ejection time (LPPATET) was 0.967 (95% CI: 0.927∼1.000, P < 0.001) and the AUC of right peripheral pulmonary artery acceleration time to ejection time (RPPATET) was 0.967 (95% CI: 0.927∼1.000, P < 0.001), indicating that LPPATET and RPPATET are both predictors for NRD. The results of interobserver variabilty and intraobserver variability showed a good consistency. CONCLUSIONS: The At/Et of fetal peripheral pulmonary artery (PPA) in GDM women may be predictors for NRD, and the indicator can provide assistance in clinical management of diabetes pregnant patients.

Gross appearance of the fetal membrane on the placental surface is associated with histological chorioamnionitis and neonatal respiratory disorders

An opaque fetal membrane based on gross appearance is traditionally indicative of histological chorioamnionitis; however, to the best of our knowledge, there is currently no supportive evidence, and its diagnostic efficiency has not yet been scientifically demonstrated. The present study aimed to provide scientific insights into the traditional concept of an opaque fetal membrane based on gross appearance being an indicator of histological chorioamnionitis. We examined the placental pathology after screening of the placental gross appearance and perinatal complications and did not examine uncomplicated deliveries. We investigated the relationship between the presence of an opaque fetal membrane and histological chorioamnionitis (Cohort 1, 571 placentas) or the outcomes of neonates delivered at term (Cohort 2, 409 placentas) at Hamamatsu University School of Medicine between 2010 and 2017. The judgment of a positive opaque fetal membrane based on gross appearance correlated with histological chorioamnionitis (Cohort 1). Its sensitivity and specificity were 66.7 and 89.9%, respectively, while positive and negative predictive values were 86.8 and 73.0%, respectively. The judgment of a positive opaque fetal membrane based on gross appearance significantly correlated with chorioamnionitis-related complications in term newborns after adjustments for confounding factors (OR;1.82 [1.07–3.11], P<0.05) (Cohort 2). A correlation was observed even after adjustments for confounding factors. The present study is the first to demonstrate that the judgment of a positive opaque fetal membrane based on gross appearance correlated with histological chorioamnionitis as well as chorioamnionitis-related complications in newborns delivered at term. The present results provide support for the traditionally-described importance of gross inspections for an opaque fetal membrane soon after birth.

Fetal and Neonatal Care

The chapter on neonatology provides a set of questions, answers with explanations, and references that provide a useful review of the content outlined in the Fetus and Newborn section of the General Pediatrics board exam as specified by the American Board of Pediatrics. Topics covered include medical conditions associated with prematurity and fetal growth restriction; neurological disorders; neonatal respiratory disorders; newborn hemodynamics; congenital and acquired surgical conditions in neonates; effects of maternal medical conditions, medications, and drug use on the fetus and newborn; neonatal hematologic abnormalities; bilirubin disorders; neonatal fluid and nutrition management; congenital and acquired infections in the fetus and newborn; delivery room assessment and management of the newborn; neonatal resuscitation; and the fundamentals of newborn care.