Clinical Early-Onset Sepsis Is Equally Valid to Culture-Proven Sepsis in Predicting Outcome in Infants after Preterm Rupture of Membranes

Background: Culture-proven sepsis is the gold standard in early-onset neonatal sepsis diagnosis. Infants born ≤29 weeks gestation after preterm rupture of membranes in the years 2009–2015 were included in a retrospective cohort study performed at a level III fetal-maternal unit. The study aimed to compare culture-proven sepsis, clinical sepsis and positive laboratory biomarkers ≤72 h as predictors of mortality before discharge and the combined outcome of mortality or severe short-term morbidity (severe cerebral morbidity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and retinopathy). Results: Of the 354 patients included, culture-proven sepsis, clinical sepsis and laboratory biomarkers were positive in 2.3%, 8.5% and 9.6%, respectively. The mortality rate was 37.5% for patients with culture-proven sepsis (3/8), 33.3% for patients with clinical sepsis (10/30) and 8.8% for patients with positive laboratory biomarkers (3/34), respectively. Mortality or severe morbidity occurred in 75.0% of patients with culture-proven sepsis (6/8), 80.0% of patients with clinical sepsis (24/30) and 44.1% of patients with positive laboratory biomarkers (15/34), respectively. Conclusion: In preterm infants after preterm rupture of membranes, clinical sepsis was almost four times more common and at least equally valuable in predicting mortality and mortality or severe morbidity compared to culture-proven sepsis.

Fetoscopy-assisted enables valvuloplasty in a human fetus with disadvantageous intrauterine position — A case report

Background Some fetuses scheduled for balloon valvuloplasty present with unfavorable lies that render a successful procedure unlikely or impossible. In these situations, Foetal posturing previously has been achieved by maternal laparotomy. As a less invasive means, we demonstrate the feasibility of a minimally-invasive fetoscopic approach. Case Percutaneous ultrasound-guided Foetal balloon valvuloplasty for severe aortic valve stenosis was attempted in a human fetus at 29 + 4 weeks of gestation under general maternofetal anesthesia. Unfortunately, prior to the procedure, the fetus had been observed on several occasions remaining in a dorso-anterior cephalic position. Therefore, the left ventricle could not be accessed by the conventional percutaneous ultrasound-guided approach. In order to achieve the desired Foetal lie, fetoscopic assistance was employed: using a standardized fetoscopic setup, a fetoscope and two graspers, the fetus was rotated in dorsoposterior position. After this maneuver, successful balloon valvuloplasty was achieved. Mother and fetus tolerated the procedure well and complications were not observed. Discussion Fetoscopy-assisted Foetal posturing offers itself as an alternative to maternal laparotomy in fetuses presenting with a persisting disadvantageous position at the time of ballon valvuloplasty. Due to the increased risks of preterm rupture of membranes and earlier delivery posed by the fetoscopic approach, this technique may preferably be used in more mature fetuses when Foetal posturing cannot be achieved by other means.

Severe ischaemic gangrene of scalp in an extreme preterm: a fatal case of combined aetiology

A 24+5-week preterm neonate with a severe scalp lesion was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) after caesarean section due to maternal chorioamnionitis (MC). An Arabin pessary had been inserted in addition to a previous cervical cerclage due to cervix insufficiency at 21+5 weeks of pregnancy (wp). At 23+5 wp, preterm rupture of membranes was evidenced. Both devices were kept to provide fetal viability. On 24+4 wp, she developed MC. Urgent caesarean section was performed. Transvaginal manual manipulation was required during the procedure. On NICU, she presented severe shock which required high-dose vasopressors and blood products. Following surgical repair, a bilateral grade IV intracranial haemorrhage was evidenced. Subsequently, it was agreed to withdraw life support. We hypothesise that MC and local infection could have acted as predisposing factors, with the presence of a pessary in the setting causing uterine contractions and its manipulation acting as a precipitating factor.

Vanishing Non-immune Hydrops in Giant Chorioangioma of Placenta

Giant Chorioangioma of placenta is a rare nontrophoblastic tumour of placenta. It may lead to various maternal and foetal complications like massive antepartum haemorrhage, sudden intrauterine foetal demise and non-immune hydrops, although in few cases mother and the foetus remain unaffected. This report is of a 35-year-old G3P1L1A1, presented to hospital at 32 weeks gestation with pain abdomen followed by watery discharge from vagina. Ultrasonography at 30 weeks revealed a huge mass on anterior wall with placenta on posterior wall of uterus although her previous antenatal sonography did not reveal any abnormality either in the foetus or in placenta. Diagnosis of preterm rupture of membranes was confirmed. Hence, she was kept on conservative management; received antibiotics and steroids for foetal lung maturity. Subsequently, the foetus developed mild, steady non-immune hydrops probably due to high output cardiac failure as Values of Middle Cerebral Artery’s Peak Systolic Velocity (MCA-PSV) were within normal limits. Biophysical profile and nonstress test were normal. Guarded foetal prognosis was given due to non-immune hydrops but she delivered a normal female baby with good Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity and Respiration (APGAR) score with huge chorioangioma of placenta. Although rare, chorioangiomas of placenta should be kept in differential diagnosis of non-immune hydrops that needs regular foetal surveillance and timely intervention in affected foetuses to increase survival after birth.

Outcomes after In Utero Myelomeningocele Repair Based on Delivery Location

Maternal and pediatric delivery outcomes may vary in patients who underwent open fetal myelomeningocele repair and elected to deliver at the fetal center where their fetal intervention was performed versus at the referring physician’s hospital. A prospective cohort study of 88 patients were evaluated following in utero open fetal myelomeningocele repair at a single fetal center between the years 2011–2019. Exclusion criteria included patients that delivered within two weeks of the procedure (n = 6), or if a patient was lost to follow-up (n = 1). Of 82 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 36 (44%) patients were delivered at the fetal center that performed fetal intervention, and 46 (56%) were delivered locally. Comparative statistics found that with the exception of parity, baseline characteristics and pre-operative variables did not differ between the groups. No differences in oligohydramnios incidence, preterm rupture of membranes, gestational age at delivery or delivery indications were found. Patients who delivered with a referring physician were more likely to be multiparous (p = 0.015). With the exception of a longer neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay in the fetal center group (median 30.0 vs. 11.0 days, p = 0.004), there were no differences in neonatal outcomes, including wound dehiscence, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, patch management, ventricular diversion, or prematurity complications. Therefore, we conclude that it is safe to allow patients to travel home for obstetric and neonatal management after open fetal myelomeningocele repair.