Imaging of fetal thymus in pregnant women with rheumatic diseases
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Ann-Christin Warby
,
Susanne Amler
Abstract
Objective: To determine whether certain rheumatic diseases will affect the fetal thymus diameter when compared to uncomplicated singleton pregnancies. Additionally, we created a reference chart for fetal thymus size in healthy singleton pregnancies from 19 to 37 weeks of gestation.
Methods: Sonographic fetal thymus size was retrospectively evaluated in 190 healthy pregnant women, and 84 pregnancies of mothers suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), or Sjögren’s syndrome between 19 and 37 weeks of gestation. These fetuses were matched one-to-one for gestational age with control fetuses. The thymic-thoracic ratio (TT-ratio) was defined as the quotient of the anteroposterior thymic and the intrathoracic mediastinal diameter.
Results: Rheumatic diseases often affect pregnancy outcome, especially in case of primary APS. The TT ratio of fetuses of mothers suffering from rheumatic disease was equal to controls (P=0.807).
Conclusions: Ours is the first study to assess the correlation of fetal thymus size in high-risk pregnancies with rheumatic diseases in comparison to controls. Women with rheumatic diseases deal with pregnancy complications more frequently than controls. Our data suggest that maternal rheumatic diseases do not affect the fetal thymus size.
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The authors stated that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this article.
©2014 by De Gruyter
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- The CROWN Initiative: journal editors invite researchers to develop core outcomes in women’s health
- Academy’s Corner
- Invasive or non-invasive prenatal genetic diagnosis?
- Original articles - Obstetrics
- Effect of depth on shear-wave elastography estimated in the internal and external cervical os during pregnancy
- Analysis of measurement process of placental volume in early pregnancy: an interobserver reliability study
- Acute pancreatitis in pregnancy: a comparison of associated conditions, treatments and complications
- Cesarean section and placental disorders in subsequent pregnancies – a meta-analysis
- Effect of magnesium sulfate and nifedipine on the risk of developing pulmonary edema in preterm births
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- Comparison of placental alpha microglobulin-1 in vaginal fluid with intra-amniotic injection of indigo carmine for the diagnosis of rupture of membranes
- Clinical differences between early- and late-onset severe preeclampsia and analysis of predictors for perinatal outcome
- Maternal serum placental growth factor and fetal SGA in pregnancy complicated by type 1 diabetes mellitus
- Original article – Fetus
- Imaging of fetal thymus in pregnant women with rheumatic diseases
- Original articles – Newborn
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- Absence of antibodies against Bordetella pertussis in pregnant women and newborns in the state of Nuevo Leon
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- DECLARATIONS of the “International Academy of Perinatal Medicine” (IAPM)
- Congress Calendar
- Congress Calendar
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- The CROWN Initiative: journal editors invite researchers to develop core outcomes in women’s health
- Academy’s Corner
- Invasive or non-invasive prenatal genetic diagnosis?
- Original articles - Obstetrics
- Effect of depth on shear-wave elastography estimated in the internal and external cervical os during pregnancy
- Analysis of measurement process of placental volume in early pregnancy: an interobserver reliability study
- Acute pancreatitis in pregnancy: a comparison of associated conditions, treatments and complications
- Cesarean section and placental disorders in subsequent pregnancies – a meta-analysis
- Effect of magnesium sulfate and nifedipine on the risk of developing pulmonary edema in preterm births
- Prediction of preeclampsia by placental protein 13 and background risk factors and its prevention by aspirin
- Maternal and neonatal outcome of labour induction at term comparing two regimens of misoprostol
- Comparison of placental alpha microglobulin-1 in vaginal fluid with intra-amniotic injection of indigo carmine for the diagnosis of rupture of membranes
- Clinical differences between early- and late-onset severe preeclampsia and analysis of predictors for perinatal outcome
- Maternal serum placental growth factor and fetal SGA in pregnancy complicated by type 1 diabetes mellitus
- Original article – Fetus
- Imaging of fetal thymus in pregnant women with rheumatic diseases
- Original articles – Newborn
- Milk demystified by chemistry
- Absence of antibodies against Bordetella pertussis in pregnant women and newborns in the state of Nuevo Leon
- Mortality among sons of female dental personnel – a national cohort study
- IAPM Statements 2005–2012
- DECLARATIONS of the “International Academy of Perinatal Medicine” (IAPM)
- Congress Calendar
- Congress Calendar
