INTRODUCTIONCongenital heart defect (CHD) is a significant cause of neonatal and infant mortality. We aimed to evaluate the incidence and pregnancy outcome of foetuses diagnosed with chromosomally normal CHD in KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH), Singapore, in 2008-2009.

METHODSWe reviewed the medical records of pregnant women who underwent first trimester screening and were diagnosed with foetal CHD at KKH. Additional information was obtained from the Birth Defect Registry for the period 2008-2009. Foetuses with abnormal karyotype or minor lesions not expected to be detected by ultrasonography were excluded.

RESULTS38 out of 9,834 euploid foetuses were diagnosed with CHD. Major defects were found in 26 (68%) foetuses, while 12 (32%) had minor CHDs. Tetralogy of Fallot, atrioventricular septal defect, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, transposition of the great arteries and ventricular septal defect constituted the five most common major CHDs observed. In 14 (54%) foetuses with prenatally diagnosed major CHD, the outcome was termination of pregnancy, while 12 (46%) pregnancies continued to birth. Among the live-born babies with major CHD, eight (67%) underwent surgery.

CONCLUSIONThe incidence of non-chromosomal major CHD in Singapore was about 2.6 per 1,000 foetuses. A detection rate of 88.5% was achieved for major CHD during the study period. Advances in CHD management have thrown up new challenges for clinicians in the area of diagnosis, treatment and ethics. Therefore, it may be beneficial to constitute a regulatory entity as a fundamental guide to improve the future management of foetuses diagnosed with CHD.

Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Humans ; Incidence ; Karyotyping ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; epidemiology ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; statistics & numerical data ; Singapore ; epidemiology

INTRODUCTIONPathologically adherent placentas occur when there is a defect of the decidua basalis, typically arising from previous caesarean section, resulting in abnormally invasive implantation of the placenta. The depth of placental invasion varies from the superficial (accreta), to transmural and possibly beyond (percreta).

CLINICAL PICTUREWe report on 2 cases, one treated "conservatively", the other with a caesarean hysterectomy, both of which led to a safe outcome for both mother and baby.

CONCLUSIONSManagement relies on accurate early diagnosis with appropriate perioperative multidisciplinary planning to anticipate and avoid massive obstetric haemorrhage at delivery.

Adult ; Cesarean Section ; adverse effects ; utilization ; Decidua ; abnormalities ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Incidence ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Placenta ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; Placenta Accreta ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Pregnancy ; Thailand ; epidemiology ; Ultrasonography ; Uterine Hemorrhage ; etiology

INTRODUCTIONTwin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is the most common serious complication of monochorionic (MC) twin pregnancies, with perinatal mortality rates of up to 90% if untreated. This study aimed to review the perinatal and perioperative outcomes of MC twin pregnancies treated for TTTS by fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (FLP) since its introduction at KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH), Singapore, in 2011.

METHODSThis was a retrospective review of five consecutive patients who underwent FLP of placental anastomoses for TTTS at KKH from June 2011 to March 2014. FLP was offered to patients who were diagnosed with TTTS of at least Quintero Stage II before 26 weeks of gestation. The main outcome measures were perioperative complications and perinatal survival rates.

RESULTSFive sets of MC twin pregnancies underwent FLP during the study period - three pregnancies were diagnosed with Stage III TTTS and two pregnancies with Stage II TTTS. Median gestational ages at initial presentation, laser photocoagulation and delivery were 19 (range 17-20) weeks, 20 (range 19-23) weeks and 29 (range 28-34) weeks, respectively. One patient had bleeding into the amniotic cavity intraprocedurally. Overall, the perinatal survival rate, double-infant survival rate and survival rate for at least one twin were 60% (6/10 fetuses), 40% (2/5 twins) and 80% (4/5 twins), respectively.

CONCLUSIONFLP is a feasible treatment for TTTS, with minimal maternal complications. Perinatal survival rates of this patient group that was managed at our centre were comparable to those of international centres.

INTRODUCTIONWith the global outbreak of Zika virus and its association with microcephaly, an up-to-date fetal head circumference (HC) nomogram is crucial to offer a reference standard in order to make an accurate diagnosis. This study was conducted to revise the local fetal HC nomogram.

MATERIALS AND METHODSIn this retrospective study, ultrasound data was used for construction of the fetal HC nomogram from a total of 6155 pregnancies in the ethnic Chinese population with low risk profile at KK Women's and Children's Hospital over a 10-year period. Regression model was fitted to calculate the mean and standard deviation of HC at each gestational age (GA). Comparison of HC between ethnic groups (no significant differences) and genders were made. The revised chart was compared with another commonly used reference chart (Hadlock). In an independent test population, different reference charts were used to estimate number of cases with microcephaly.

RESULTSA statistically significant difference of HC between the genders was observed across all gestational ages. Gender-specific reference charts and equation were computed. Our revised fetal HC chart showed a different distribution from the Hadlock chart. Compared with the gender-specific charts, the Hadlock HC chart would significantly under-report microcephaly cases in male fetuses, and tend to over-report in female fetuses.

CONCLUSIONThis study provides a new set of gender-specific fetal HC charts in the Singaporean population for antenatal ultrasound surveillance of microcephaly.

Abnormalities, Multiple ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; abnormalities ; Kidney Diseases ; Retrospective Studies ; Uterus ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Vagina ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Young Adult

We describe a case of recurrent uterine rupture at the site of a previous rupture. Our patient had a history of right interstitial pregnancy with spontaneous uterine fundal rupture at 18 weeks of pregnancy. During her subsequent pregnancy, she was monitored closely by a senior consultant obstetrician. The patient presented at 34 weeks with right hypochondriac pain. She was clinically stable and fetal monitoring showed no signs of fetal distress. Ultrasonography revealed protrusion of the intact amniotic membranes in the abdominal cavity at the uterine fundus. Uterine rupture is a rare but hazardous obstetric complication. High levels of caution should be exercised in patients with a history of prior uterine rupture, as they may present with atypical symptoms. Ultrasonography could provide valuable information in such cases where there is an elevated risk of uterine rupture at the previous rupture site.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Amnion ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Laparotomy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Recurrence ; Ultrasonography ; Uterine Rupture ; diagnostic imaging ; Uterus ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology