Introduction The objective of this study was to establish whether heparin improves the neonatal outcome of fetuses with suspected placental insufficiency. Material and methods Before data extraction, the project was registered in the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (registration number: CRD42019117627). A systematic search was performed to identify relevant studies, using PubMed, SCOPUS, ISI Web of Knowledge, and PROSPERO database for meta‐analysis. Suspected placental insufficiency was defined as either an estimated fetal weight or abdominal circumference below the 10th centile or when at least 2 of the following criteria were met: (1) abnormal biochemical markers, (2) sonographic evidence of abnormal placental morphology, or (3) abnormal uterine artery Doppler. Heparin in any commercial presentation was defined as the intervention. Mean difference (MD) by random effects model was used. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using Cochran's Q, H, and I2 statistics. Results From 1159 assessed studies, two were retained for analysis. The results showed a significantly higher birthweight (MD 365; 95% CI 236 to 494; P < 0.001) and a significant increase of gestational age at birth by 1 week in those women treated with heparin (MD 0.806; 95% CI 0.354 to 1.258; P < 0.001). However, there were no significant differences in Apgar scores, neonatal admission, neonatal mortality, or composite neonatal morbidity. Conclusions In women with very high suspicion of placental insufficiency, heparin may increase fetal growth and prolong pregnancy. There is no evidence for a beneficial effect of heparin in reducing neonatal adverse outcomes.
Background Breech presentation at the time of delivery is 3.8–4%. Fetuses that maintain a noncephalic presentation beyond 32 weeks will have a lower probability of spontaneous version before labor. Given the increasing interest in exploring the use of complementary medicine during pregnancy and childbirth, the moxibustion technique, a type of traditional Chinese medicine, could be another option to try turning a breech baby into a cephalic presentation. Objectives To review the evidence from systematic reviews (SR) on the efficacy and safety of acupuncture and moxibustion in pregnant women with noncephalic presentation. Main Results Our SR synthesizes the results from five clinical trials on pregnant women with a singleton noncephalic presentation. There is evidence that moxibustion reduces the number of noncephalic presentations at the time of birth compared with no treatment. The adverse effects that acupuncture and moxibustion can cause seem to be irrelevant. Most SRs agree that there are no adverse effects directly related to acupuncture and moxibustion. Conclusions Even though the results obtained are positive and the five reviews conclude that moxibustion reduces the number of noncephalic presentations at birth (alone or combined with postural techniques or acupuncture), there is considerable heterogeneity between them. Better methodologically designed studies are required in the future to reaffirm this conclusion.
Kagami‐Ogata syndrome (KOS14) is a rare congenital disorder associated with defective genomic imprinting of the chromosome 14q32 domain. Typical features include polyhydramnios, small and bell‐shaped thorax, coat‐hanger ribs, dysmorphic facial features, abdominal wall defects, placentomegaly, severe postnatal respiratory distress and intellectual disability. To the best of our knowledge, this may be the first case where ultrasound findings such as: severe polyhydramnios, a small bell‐shaped thorax, a protuberant abdomen and characteristic dysmorphic face prompted directed family interrogation finally leading to the prenatal diagnosis of KOS14.
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