Cigarette smoking is associated with lower maternal sFlt-1 concentrations during pregnancy and preeclampsia. On the basis of these data, cigarette smoke exposure may decrease the risk of preeclampsia in part by moderating the anti-angiogenic phenotype observed in the syndrome.

There are multiple etiologies for fetal dilated bowel loops on ultrasonography (US), and we present a unique case of male siblings with a forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) mutation. Both children presented with fetal bowel anomalies on prenatal US. Family histories of cystic fibrosis and immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked (IPEX) syndrome were reported. Amniocentesis in both pregnancies identified a normal male karyotype and the familial mutation associated with IPEX syndrome. IPEX syndrome is one of a group of conditions known as congenital diarrhea disorders. Other congenital diarrhea disorder cases have presented with similar prenatal US findings. As a result of these associations, we suggest considering IPEX syndrome as a potential cause of fetal bowel anomalies, particularly with a known family history. However, continued research into the phenotypic and genotypic correlations for IPEX syndrome is likely needed to better understand this possible prenatal presentation.

performance is associated with morbidity and mortality in HLHS, in-utero assessment of systemic RV function may be helpful in postnatal care. Quantitative echocardiographic assessment of the fetal systemic RV may be improved with the use of 2DST.