The 22q11 deletion syndrome is one of the most common human microdeletion syndromes, with a wide spectrum of abnormalities. The fetal phenotype associated with the 22q11 deletion is poorly described in the literature. A national retrospective study was performed from 74 feto-pathological examinations. The objectives were to evaluate the circumstances of the 22q11 deletion diagnosis and to describe fetal anomalies. Post mortem examinations were performed after 66 terminations of pregnancy and eight fetal deaths. The series included nine fetuses from the first trimester, 55 from the second trimester, and ten from the third trimester. A 22q11 FISH analysis was recommended for 57 fetuses after multidisciplinary prenatal diagnostic counseling and for 17 fetuses by a fetal pathologist. Conotruncal heart defects were the most common anomalies (65 fetuses), followed by thymus defects (62 fetuses), and malformations of the urinary tract (25 fetuses). This study identified several unusual and severe features rarely described in the literature. Neurological abnormalities were described in ten fetuses, with seven neural tube defects and five arhinencephalies. This series also included lethal malformations: two hypoplastic left heart syndromes, two bilateral renal agenesis, and one tracheal agenesis. Genetic analysis for a 22q11 deletion is usually indicated when a congenital conotruncal heart and/or thymus defect is detected, but might also be useful in case of other lethal or severe malformations that initially led to the termination of pregnancy.

SummarySpinal anaesthesia for elective caesarean section is associated with maternal hypotension, secondary to alteration of sympathetic tone and hypovolemia, in up to 70% of cases. Measurement of the subaortic variation in the velocity time integral (VTI) after passive leg raising allows prediction of fluid responsiveness. Our objective, in this prospective singlecentre observational study, was to assess the ability of change in VTI after 45°passive leg raising to predict hypotension after spinal anaesthesia. Ultrasound measurements were performed just before elective caesarean section. Anaesthesia, intravenous coloading and prophylactic vasopressor treatment were standardised according to current guidelines. We studied 40 women. Hypotension occurred in 17 (45%) women. The area (95%CI) under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve for the prediction of spinal hypotension was 0.8 (0.6-0.9; p = 0.0001). Seventeen women had a change in VTI with leg elevation ≤ 8%, which was predictive for not developing hypotension, and 11 had a change ≥ 21%, predictive for hypotension. The grey zone between 8% and 21%, with inconclusive values, included 12 women. We suggest that cardiac ultrasound provides characterisation of the risk of hypotension following spinal anaesthesia at elective caesarean section, and therefore may allow individualised strategies for prevention and management.

This study adds further evidence that persistent patent ductus arteriosus has no significant effect on mortality and morbidity in VLBW infants born at ≥25 weeks' gestational age.

Summary Spinal anaesthesia for elective caesarean section is associated with maternal hypotension, secondary to alteration of sympathetic tone and hypovolemia, in up to 70% of cases. Measurement of the subaortic variation in the velocity time integral (VTI) after passive leg raising allows prediction of fluid responsiveness. Our objective, in this prospective single‐centre observational study, was to assess the ability of change in VTI after 45° passive leg raising to predict hypotension after spinal anaesthesia. Ultrasound measurements were performed just before elective caesarean section. Anaesthesia, intravenous coloading and prophylactic vasopressor treatment were standardised according to current guidelines. We studied 40 women. Hypotension occurred in 17 (45%) women. The area (95%CI) under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve for the prediction of spinal hypotension was 0.8 (0.6–0.9; p = 0.0001). Seventeen women had a change in VTI with leg elevation ≤ 8%, which was predictive for not developing hypotension, and 11 had a change ≥ 21%, predictive for hypotension. The grey zone between 8% and 21%, with inconclusive values, included 12 women. We suggest that cardiac ultrasound provides characterisation of the risk of hypotension following spinal anaesthesia at elective caesarean section, and therefore may allow individualised strategies for prevention and management.