Objective To observe the value of quantitative analysis technique for evaluating left atrial function in children with Kawasaki disease(KD).Methods Totally 43 children with KD(KD group)who would undergo intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG)therapy were prospectively enrolled,including 23 with(ectasia subgroup)and 20 without coronary artery ectasia(non-ectasia subgroup),while 50 healthy children were enrolled as control group.Children in KD group.Echocardiography was performed in acute phase(10-12 hours before IVIG therapy),subacute phase(1 week after therapy)and convalescent phase(6-10 weeks after therapy)of KD.The left atrial reservoir strain(LASr),early diastolic conduit strain(LAScd),late diastolic contractile strain(LASct),left ventricular global longitudinal strain(LVGLS),basal segment,middle segment and apical segment longitudinal strain(LS)were measured.Strain parameters of different periods were compared between groups and subgroups in KD group,and left atrial strain parameters in KD subgroup were compared among different periods.Pearson correlation analysis was used for evaluation of the correlations of left atrium and left ventricle strain parameters in children with acute KD.Results LASr,LAScd,LASct,LVGLS and left ventricular segment LS of KD group in acute and subacute phase were all lower than those of control group(all P＜0.05),while the basal segment LS of KD group in convalescent phase was lower than that of control group(P＜0.05).In KD group,compared with acute stage,LASr,LAScd,LASct,LVGLS and left ventricular segment LS significantly increased in subacute phase(all P＜0.05),while in convalescent phase,LASr,LAScd,LASct,LVGLS,middle segment LS and apical LS further increased(all P＜0.05).LASr and LAScd in acute phase of KD group were positively correlated with LVGLS,middle segment LS and apical segment LS(r=0.43-0.67,all P＜0.05).In the acute and subacute phases,no significant difference of left artial LS parameters was found between subgroups within KD group(all P＞0.05).LASr and LAScd in convalescent phase of ectasia subgroup were lower than those of non-ectasia subgroup(all P＜0.05),while no significant difference of LASct was found between subgroups within KD group(P＞0.05).Conclusion Quantitative analysis technique could be used to evaluate left atrial function in KD children.Changes of left atrial function in KD children were closely related to left ventricular systolic function,which was affected by coronary artery ectasia in convalescent phase.

Objective To observe the value of ultrasound microvascular flow imaging(MV-Flow)combined with maternal serum vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)expression level for diagnosis of fetal growth restriction(FGR).Methods Totally 87 pregnant women with FGR(FGR group,including 43 cases of gestational week＜28 weeks[＜28 weeks subgroup]and 44 cases of ≥28 weeks[≥28 weeks subgroup])and 112 normal pregnant women with normal fetuses(normal control group,55 with gestational week＜28 weeks[NC 1 subgroup]and 57 with ≥28 weeks[NC 2 subgroup])were prospectively enrolled.MV-Flow technology was used to measure placental microvascular index(MVI),and the placental microvascular circulation was evaluated.The expression level of maternal serum VEGF was detected simultaneously,also of placental maternal surface immediately after delivery.The receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn to explore the value of placental MVI,maternal serum VEGF and the combination of placental MVI,maternal serum VEGF for diagnosing FGR.Results The levels of placental MVI and maternal serum VEGF in 2 subgroups of FGR group were both lower than those in control group(all P＜0.01).Placental VEGF expression level in FGR group was significantly lower than that in control group(P＜0.01).The area under the curve(AUC)of placental MVI,maternal serum VEGF and their combination for diagnosing FGR＜28 weeks was 0.981,0.870 and 0.997,respectively,while for diagnosing FGR≥28 weeks was 0.991,0.867 and 0.993,respectively.AUC of maternal serum VEGF alone for diagnosing in 2 subgroups of FGR were both lower than that of placental MVI and combination of placental MVI and maternal serum VEGF(all P＜0.05),while no significant difference of AUC was found between placental MVI and combination of maternal serum VEGF and placental MVI(both P＞0.05).Conclusion Both placental MVI and maternal serum VEGF level could be used to screen FGR,and the former was more valuable.

Objective:To investigate the prenatal ultrasound detection and prognosis of fetuses with cysts of filum terminale.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 68 fetuses with cysts of filum terminale that underwent level Ⅲ systematic ultrasound examination and were successfully followed up at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2020 to June 2023. The analysis included the initial detection time, cyst size, accompanying abnormalities, whether the cysts disappeared in utero, outcomes, and postnatal follow-up. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed.Results:The earliest ultrasound detection of filum terminale cysts was at 21 weeks and 4 days of gestation, with a median length of 4.3 mm (range 2.0-19.5 mm). Among the 68 cases, 69% (47/68) were isolated filum terminale cysts, and 31% (21/68) were non-isolated filum terminale cysts. Structural abnormalities associated with non-isolated filum terminale cysts were most commonly cardiovascular (7/21, 33%), urogenital (6/21, 29%), and neurological (6/21, 29%) systems. Prenatal ultrasound follow-up was performed in 41 cases, with an intrauterine disappearance rate of 63% (26/41). The disappearance rates for isolated and non-isolated filum terminale cysts were 67% (22/33) and 4/8, respectively. The earliest disappearance was at 25 weeks of gestation, with the shortest duration being 12 days. Prenatal genetic testing was conducted in 10 cases, with no definite pathogenic variants detected. There were 10 cases of induced labor, including two cases of isolated filum terminale cysts and eight cases of non-isolated filum terminale cysts. The remaining 58 cases resulted in live births, with postnatal follow-up ranging from 3 months to 3 years, showing no abnormal findings.Conclusion:Most fetal cysts of filum terminale are isolated and can spontaneously disappear in utero, with a generally good prognosis.

Objective:To explore the evaluation effect of ultrasonography and Pirani score on tarsal deformity, treatment effect and pseudo-correction of congenital clubfoot in infants and young children, and the correlation between the two methods.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. The clinical data of 26 children (40 feet) with congenital clubfoot who were evaluated by ultrasonography in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2020 to January 2023 were retrospectively collected. There were 16 males and 10 females. The age at the first ultrasound examination was ( M(IQR)) 9.0 (18.0) days (range: 1 to 46 days). All patients were treated with Ponseti method by the same physician. The Pirani scores before and after treatment and at the last examination, and the talonavicular angle, calcaneocuboid angle and tibiocalcaneal angle measured by ultrasound were collected, and the treatment and follow-up were recorded. Paired sample t test, repeated measures analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis test were used for data comparison, and Spearman correlation analysis was used for correlation analysis. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to calculate the efficacy of ultrasound in evaluating different Pirani scores. Results:The number of plaster fixation in 26 children was 4.0 (1.0) times (range: 2 to 8 times). The medial talonavicular angle and posterior tibiocalcaneal angle were significantly improved after treatment and at the last follow-up compared with those before treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.01). There was no difference in lateral calcaneocuboid angle before and after treatment and at the last follow-up ( F=1.971, P>0.05). Pseudo-correction occurred in 2 cases (2 feet) during the treatment, with an incidence of 5%. Correlation analysis showed that there was a moderate positive correlation between talonavicular angle and Pirani midfoot score ( r=0.480, P<0.01). There was no correlation between calcaneocuboid angle and Pirani midfoot score ( r=0.114, P=0.105). There was a moderate negative correlation between tibial heel angle and Pirani hindfoot score ( r=-0.566, P<0.01). The cut-off point of Pirani midfoot score of 1.5 was 38.78°, the sensitivity was 0.90, the specificity was 0.56, and the area under the curve was 0.75. The cut-off value of angle was 27.51 °, the sensitivity was 0.16, the specificity was 0.92, and the area under the curve was 0.44.The cut-off points of Pirani midfoot score of 3.0 were 45.08°and 9.96°, the sensitivity was 0.94 and 0.91, the specificity was 0.37 and 0.42, and the area under the curve was 0.59 and 0.62, respectively. The cut-off values of Pirani hindfoot score of 2.0 and 3.0 were 167.46° and 160.15°, respectively. The sensitivity was 0.75 and 0.67, the specificity was 0.81 and 0.83, and the area under the curve was 0.78 and 0.71, respectively. Conclusion:Ultrasound can complement with Pirani score, visually and dynamically observe the morphology and position changes of talonavicular joint, calcaneocuboid joint and tibiotalocalcaneal joint, monitor the recovery and pseudo-correction of tarsal bones, and better evaluate the therapeutic effect.

Objective:To investigate the value of fetal heart quantification (fetal HQ) in assessing ventricular function of fetuses with small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and fetal growth restriction (FGR).Methods:A total of 152 singleton pregnancies with estimated fetal weight (EFW) or abdominal circumference less than the 10th percentile in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were prospectively selected from August 2022 to September 2023, where fetal EFW or abdominal circumference were in the 3rd to 9th percentile with normal Doppler findings were classified as the SGA group ( n=79), and the rest as the FGR group ( n=73). In the same period, 161 cases of normal single fetuses were matched as the control group.Based on the gestational week in which FGR occurred, the FGR group were categorized into the early-onset group (<32 weeks, n=46) and the late-onset group (≥32 weeks, n=27), and fetuses in the FGR group with absent end-diastolic velocity of the umbilical artery were defined as severe FGR ( n=11), and the rest as mild FGR ( n=62). Fetal ventricular fractional area change (FAC), global longitudinal strain (GLS), longitudinal fractional shortening (LFS) and 24-segment fractional shortening (FS) were obtained by fetal HQ. The cardiac systolic function between groups were compared, the correlations between each parameter and gestational week were analyzed, the inter-observer and intra-observer repeatability tests were performed. Results:Compared with the control group, ventricular FAC, LFS, and GLS were lower in the SGA and the FGR group, right ventricular FS of segments 9-24 were reduced in the SGA group, and left ventricular FS of segments 10-19, 21-24 and right ventricular FS of segments 18-24 were reduced in the FGR group, the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Left ventricular GLS, LFS and right ventricular FAC, GLS, LFS, FS of segments 1-14 were lower in the severe FGR group than in the mild FGR group, the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The values of left ventricular GLS and LFS were higher in the early-onset FGR group than in the late-onset FGR group, the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The ROC showed that the ventricular systolic function parameters predicted adverse perinatal outcomes with an AUC>0.6 (all P<0.05). Left ventricular GLS and right ventricular partial-segments FS were no correlations with gestational week in the FGR group (-0.3< rs<0.3, all P<0.05). There was no correlation between the parameters and gestational week in the SGA group (all P>0.05). The inter-observer and intra-observer intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were >0.75, with good reproducibility. Conclusions:Fetal HQ can quantitatively assess the changes of ventricular function in SGA and FGR fetuses, and the ventricular overall, longitudinal and localized contractile function in SGA and FGR fetuses are reduced, and abnormal ventricular systolic function is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes.

Objective:To evaluate the changes of ventricular function in the twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) fetuses before and after fetoscopy laser photocoagulation (FLP) by fetal heart qualifiction (fetal HQ) technology.Methods:A total of 30 TTTS pregnant women who underwent FLP and delivered in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2023 to November 2023 were prospectively selected as the TTTS group, including 30 donor fetuses and 30 recipient fetuses. The control group included 34 normal monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twins (68 fetuses) at the same gestational age. The changes of cardiac function of donor and recipient fetuses before and one day, one week and one month after FLP treatment were investigated by fetal HQ. The correlations between stage and global strain(GS) and fractional area change(FAC) of ventricle were analyzed. The inter-observer and intera-observer repeatability tests were performed.Results:①Before FLP treatment, fractional shortening(FS)10-24 of left ventricle and FS10-11 of right ventricle in donor group were lower than the control group (all P<0.05).GS, FAC, FS10-24 of left ventricle and GS, FAC, FS1-24 of right ventricle in recipient group were lower than the control group (all P<0.05). In the donor group, Quintero stage was moderately positively correlated with GS of right ventricle and moderately negatively correlated with FAC of right ventricle ( rs=0.535, -0.515; P=0.004, 0.006). But there were no correlation between Quintero stage and GS and FAC of left and right ventricle in recipient group (all P>0.05). ②After FLP treatment, the left ventricular systolic function of the donor group recovered to the normal level one day after operation ( P>0.05). But the FS16-24 of left ventricle were lower than the control group one week after operation, and the FS21-24 of left ventricle were still lower than the control group one month after operation(all P<0.05). One day after operation, the systolic function of the right ventricle in the donor group decreased, and GS, FAC and FS6-24 of the right ventricle were lower than the control group (all P<0.05). However, the right ventricular systolic function recovered to the normal level one week after operation ( P>0.05). ③After FLP, the systolic function of left ventricle and right ventricle recovered in recipient group, especially for right ventricle. One month after operation, only FS12-16 of left ventricle were lower than the control group ( P<0.05). But GS and FAC of left and right ventricle and 24 segments FS of right ventricle recovered to the control level (all P>0.05). ④The ICC of left and right ventricular parameters were greater than 0.75, indicating good repeatability ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Fetal HQ technology can sensitively evaluate fetal heart function in TTTS fetuses with good repeatability. Before FLP, the ventricular function of donor and recipient fetuses are affected to varying degrees.After FLP, the left and right ventricular function of the donor and recipient fetuses are improved to varying degrees and have different recovery rules.

Objective:To explore the evaluation effect of ultrasonography and Pirani score on tarsal deformity, treatment effect and pseudo-correction of congenital clubfoot in infants and young children, and the correlation between the two methods.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. The clinical data of 26 children (40 feet) with congenital clubfoot who were evaluated by ultrasonography in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2020 to January 2023 were retrospectively collected. There were 16 males and 10 females. The age at the first ultrasound examination was ( M(IQR)) 9.0 (18.0) days (range: 1 to 46 days). All patients were treated with Ponseti method by the same physician. The Pirani scores before and after treatment and at the last examination, and the talonavicular angle, calcaneocuboid angle and tibiocalcaneal angle measured by ultrasound were collected, and the treatment and follow-up were recorded. Paired sample t test, repeated measures analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis test were used for data comparison, and Spearman correlation analysis was used for correlation analysis. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to calculate the efficacy of ultrasound in evaluating different Pirani scores. Results:The number of plaster fixation in 26 children was 4.0 (1.0) times (range: 2 to 8 times). The medial talonavicular angle and posterior tibiocalcaneal angle were significantly improved after treatment and at the last follow-up compared with those before treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.01). There was no difference in lateral calcaneocuboid angle before and after treatment and at the last follow-up ( F=1.971, P>0.05). Pseudo-correction occurred in 2 cases (2 feet) during the treatment, with an incidence of 5%. Correlation analysis showed that there was a moderate positive correlation between talonavicular angle and Pirani midfoot score ( r=0.480, P<0.01). There was no correlation between calcaneocuboid angle and Pirani midfoot score ( r=0.114, P=0.105). There was a moderate negative correlation between tibial heel angle and Pirani hindfoot score ( r=-0.566, P<0.01). The cut-off point of Pirani midfoot score of 1.5 was 38.78°, the sensitivity was 0.90, the specificity was 0.56, and the area under the curve was 0.75. The cut-off value of angle was 27.51 °, the sensitivity was 0.16, the specificity was 0.92, and the area under the curve was 0.44.The cut-off points of Pirani midfoot score of 3.0 were 45.08°and 9.96°, the sensitivity was 0.94 and 0.91, the specificity was 0.37 and 0.42, and the area under the curve was 0.59 and 0.62, respectively. The cut-off values of Pirani hindfoot score of 2.0 and 3.0 were 167.46° and 160.15°, respectively. The sensitivity was 0.75 and 0.67, the specificity was 0.81 and 0.83, and the area under the curve was 0.78 and 0.71, respectively. Conclusion:Ultrasound can complement with Pirani score, visually and dynamically observe the morphology and position changes of talonavicular joint, calcaneocuboid joint and tibiotalocalcaneal joint, monitor the recovery and pseudo-correction of tarsal bones, and better evaluate the therapeutic effect.

Objective To observe the values of changes of right heart modified myocardial performance index(Mod-MPI)and ductus venosus(DV)spectrum parameters in pre-eclampsia fetuses for predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes.Methods Eighty-one pregnant women diagnosed as pre-eclampsia were prospectively enrolled and divided into severe pre-eclampsia(SPE)group(n=39)and mild pre-eclampsia(MPE)group(n=42),while 85 healthy pregnant women were taken as controls(control group).Fetal right heart function parameters,including right ventricular isovolumetric relaxation time(IRT),isovolumetric contraction time(ICT),ejection time(ET),total spent time(TST),Mod-MPI,tricuspid valve peak flow velocity ratio in early and late diastole(TV-E/A),as well as blood flow velocities in each waveform of DV spectrum(S,V,D,and A wave)were obtained,and the pulsatility index(PI)and the ratio of blood flow velocities in each waveform of the DV(S/V,S/D,S/A,V/D,V/A,D/A)were calculated.Intrauterine fetal distress,preterm delivery,neonatal asphyxia and newborn with low weight were considered as adverse pregnancy outcomes.The correlations of right heart Mod-MPI and TV-E/A with DV parameters in pre-eclampsia fetuses were assessed,and their predictive efficacies for adverse pregnancy outcomes were evaluated for right heart Mod-MPI and DV using the receiver operating characteristics(ROC)and the area under the curves(AUC).Results Compared with control group and MPE group,fetal right heart IRT,ICT and Mod-MPI increased and ET decreased in SPE group(all P＜0.05).No significant differences of right heart TST and TV-E/A among 3 groups(both P＞0.05).Fetal DV A-wave velocity and V/D values progressively decreased but PI progressively increased in control,MPE and SPE groups(all P＜0.05).Fetal right heart Mod-MPI in pre-eclampsia was moderately positively correlated with DV PI(r=0.637,P=0.016),while TV-E/A was weakly negatively correlated with DV V/D(r=-0.355,P=0.043).Adverse pregnancy outcomes were noticed in 59 pre-eclampsia cases.The AUC of fetal right heart Mod-MPI and DV PI for predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes in pre-eclampsia cases was 0.897 and 0.848,respectively,without significant difference(Z=0.460,P=0.400).Conclusion Changes of right heart Mod-MPI and DV spectrum parameters in pre-eclampsia fetuses had high value for predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Objective To observe prenatal ultrasonic manifestations of fetal rhomboencephalosynapsis(RES).Methods Data of 15 singletons with RES were retrospectively analyzed,and the prenatal intracranial and extracranial ultrasonic manifestations were observed.Results All 15 fetuses were found with transverse cerebellar diameter lower than the 3rd percentile of normal value in the same gestational week and bilateral cerebellar hemisphere fusion(15/15,100％).Cerebellar vermis completely loss was observed in 14 fetuses(14/15,93.33％),while partially loss was noticed in 1 fetus(1/15,6.67％).Invisible of the fourth cerebral ventricle was detected in 4 fetuses(4/15,26.67％),while the fourth cerebral ventricular index(4Vi)＜1 was found in 11 fetuses(11/15,73.33％).No"split line"sign between vermis and cerebellar hemisphere was detected.A total of 14(14/15,93.33％)were found with combining intracranial or extracranial malformations,including 13(13/14,92.86％)with other intracranial malformations,10(10/14,71.43％)with extracranial malformations,whereas 1(1/15,6.67％)fetus had no other malformation.Conclusion Prenatal ultrasonic manifestations of fetal RES mainly included small cerebellum transverse diameter,complete or partial loss of vermis,invisible or dysplasia of the fourth cerebral ventricle,fusion of bilateral cerebellar hemispheres,as well as combining with other intracranial and extracranial malformations.

Objective:To evaluate and analyze the ultrasonic findings of idiopathic clubfoot and positional clubfoot deformities.Methods:Forty-nine newborn babies with congenital clubfoot were examined in the Department of Ultrasound of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from December 2020 to January 2022, Including 21 newborn babies(32 feet) with idiopathic clubfoot, and 28 babies(53 feet) with positional clubfoot. Twenty-two normal infants in the same period and the normal feet of the single clubfoot were selected as control group. The distance between medial malleolus and scaphoids of all feet were measured by ultrasound. The distance from the tangent line of the lateral edge of calcaneus to the midpoint of the lateral edge of the chondroid bone, medial soft tissue thickness and tibial calcaneal angle were measured by ultrasound. The data of idiopathic clubfoot group, positional clubfoot group and control group were statistically analyzed.Results:A total of 71 newborn babies with 142 feet were evaluated.The idiopathic clubfoot group had born and joint changes in the medial, lateral and posterior side, and the differences were statistically significant compared with the control group (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, there were statistically significant differences in the medial and lateral side of the positional group(all P<0.05). But no significant changes in the posterior side( P>0.05). There were significant differences between medial and posterior side of idiopathic and positional clubfoot group (all P<0.05), but no significant differences in lateral side ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Ultrasonography can clearly display the tarsus bones in clubfoot, and observe the deformity changes of the idiopathic clubfoot and positional clubfoot.