American journal of perinatology
-
Nearly two decades ago, the discovery of circulating cell-free fetal DNA in maternal blood created a paradigm shift in prenatal testing. Recent advances in DNA sequencing technology have facilitated the rapid translation of DNA-based testing into clinical antenatal care. ⋯ The use of cell-free DNA in maternal blood for the detection of fetal rhesus D antigen status, fetal sex, and common whole chromosomal aneuploidies is now well established, although testing for aneuploidy is still considered screening and not diagnostic. Further advances in technology and bioinformatics may see future clinical applications extend to the noninvasive detection of fetal subchromosomal aneuploidy, single gene disorders, and the entire fetal genome.
-
The Fetal Treatment Center founded by Michael Harrison is credited as the birthplace of fetal surgery. His trainees in pediatric surgery subsequently founded fetal centers throughout the United States. In Europe, the advent of minimally invasive fetal surgical techniques led to the establishment of treatment centers led predominantly by perinatologists. ⋯ Although not subjected to the rigors of clinical trials, this treatment has withstood the test of time. Interventions for other fetal disease states such as twin-twin transfusion and repair of fetal myelomeningocele were investigated in animal models followed by randomized clinical trials before widespread adoption. Tracheal occlusion for diaphragmatic hernia is still currently being investigated as the next promising step in fetal intervention.
-
Resuscitation guidelines give no preference over use of self-inflating bags (SIBs) or T-piece resuscitators (TPR) for manual neonatal ventilation. We speculated that devices would differ significantly regarding time required to adjust to changed ventilation settings. ⋯ PIP adjustment takes longer with TPRs, compared with SIB/SIBM. TPRs and SIBM allow satisfactory adherence to ventilation parameters. SIBs should only be used with manometer attached.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Effect of hydration on spontaneous labor outcomes in nulliparous pregnant women: a multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing three methods.
To evaluate the effect of mode and amount of fluid hydration during labor. ⋯ Although apparently safe, neither increased intravenous hydration nor oral hydration during labor improves labor performance.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Probiotic supplementation in mothers of very low birth weight infants.
Oral probiotic supplementation reduces the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants. Concerns about safety and purity of probiotic preparations have limited their use in preterm infants. The authors administered probiotic bacteria to mothers of preterm infants, thereby avoiding the risks of direct exposure of infants to probiotic bacteria. ⋯ Postpartum maternal supplementation with probiotic bacteria may decrease the incidence of NEC in breastfed infants.