Vasa previa: when antenatal diagnosis can change fetal prognosis
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Miriam Sutera
,
Eleonora Pilloni
Abstract
Objectives
Evaluate ultrasound diagnostic accuracy, maternal−fetal characteristics and outcomes in case of vasa previa diagnosed antenatally, postnatally or with spontaneous resolution before delivery.
Methods
Monocentric retrospective study enrolling women with antenatal or postnatal diagnosis of vasa previa at Sant’Anna Hospital in Turin from 2007 to 2018. Vasa previa were defined as fetal vessels that lay 2 cm within the uterine internal os using 2D and Color Doppler transvaginal ultrasound. Diagnosis was confirmed at delivery and on histopathological exam. Vasa previa with spontaneous resolutions were defined as fetal vessels that migrate >2 cm from uterine internal os during scheduled ultrasound follow-ups in pregnancy.
Results
We enrolled 29 patients (incidence of 0.03%). Ultrasound antenatally diagnosed 25 vasa previa (five had a spontaneous resolution) while four were diagnosed postnatally, with an overall sensitivity of 96.2%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 96.2%, and negative predictive value of 100%. Early gestational age at diagnosis is significally associate with spontaneously resolution (p 0.023; aOR 1.63; 95% IC 1.18–2.89). Nearly 93% of our patient had a risk factor for vasa previa: placenta previa at second trimester or low-lying placenta, bilobated placenta, succenturiate cotyledon, velametous cord insertion or assisted reproduction technologies.
Conclusions
Maternal and fetal outcomes in case of vasa previa antenatally diagnosed are significally improved. Our data support the evaluation of umbilical cord insertion during routine second trimester ultrasound and a targeted screening for vasa previa in women with risk factor: it allows identification of fetus at high risk, reducing fetal mortality in otherwise healthy newborns.
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Research funding: None declared.
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Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
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Competing interests: Authors state no conflict of interest.
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Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all individuals included in this study.
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Ethical approval: The local Institutional Review Board approved the study.
References
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© 2021 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Introduction to the cesarean section articles
- Highlight Section: Cesarean Section
- Three kinds of caesarean sections: the foetal/neonatal perspective
- The neonatal respiratory morbidity associated with early term caesarean section – an emerging pandemic
- Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC): fear it or dare it? An evaluation of potential risk factors
- Nationwide implementation of a decision aid on vaginal birth after cesarean: a before and after cohort study
- Induction of labor at 39 weeks and risk of cesarean delivery among obese women: a retrospective propensity score matched study
- Cervical ripening after cesarean section: a prospective dual center study comparing a mechanical osmotic dilator vs. prostaglandin E2
- An evidence-based cesarean section suggested for universal use
- Online survey on uterotomy closure techniques in caesarean section
- Analysis of cesarean section rates in two German hospitals applying the 10-Group Classification System
- Reviews
- Pregnancy in incarcerated women: need for national legislation to standardize care
- Imaging diagnosis and legal implications of brain injury in survivors following single intrauterine fetal demise from monochorionic twins – a review of the literature
- Mini Review
- Professionally responsible management of the ethical and social challenges of antenatal screening and diagnosis of β-thalassemia in a high-risk population
- Opinion Paper
- Teaching and training the total percutaneous fetoscopic myelomeningocele repair
- Corner of Academy
- Chronic hypertension in pregnancy: synthesis of influential guidelines
- Original Articles
- The effects of pre-pregnancy obesity and gestational weight gain on maternal lipid profiles, fatty acids and insulin resistance
- Determination of organic pollutants in meconium and its relationship with fetal growth. Case control study in Northwestern Spain
- Betamethasone as a potential treatment for preterm birth associated with sterile intra-amniotic inflammation: a murine study
- Diagnostic accuracy of modified Hadlock formula for fetal macrosomia in women with gestational diabetes and pregnancy weight gain above recommended
- Vasa previa: when antenatal diagnosis can change fetal prognosis
- Mode of delivery and adverse short- and long-term outcomes in vertex-presenting very preterm born infants: a European population-based prospective cohort study
- Short Communication
- Reference ranges for sphingosine-1-phosphate in neonates
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Introduction to the cesarean section articles
- Highlight Section: Cesarean Section
- Three kinds of caesarean sections: the foetal/neonatal perspective
- The neonatal respiratory morbidity associated with early term caesarean section – an emerging pandemic
- Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC): fear it or dare it? An evaluation of potential risk factors
- Nationwide implementation of a decision aid on vaginal birth after cesarean: a before and after cohort study
- Induction of labor at 39 weeks and risk of cesarean delivery among obese women: a retrospective propensity score matched study
- Cervical ripening after cesarean section: a prospective dual center study comparing a mechanical osmotic dilator vs. prostaglandin E2
- An evidence-based cesarean section suggested for universal use
- Online survey on uterotomy closure techniques in caesarean section
- Analysis of cesarean section rates in two German hospitals applying the 10-Group Classification System
- Reviews
- Pregnancy in incarcerated women: need for national legislation to standardize care
- Imaging diagnosis and legal implications of brain injury in survivors following single intrauterine fetal demise from monochorionic twins – a review of the literature
- Mini Review
- Professionally responsible management of the ethical and social challenges of antenatal screening and diagnosis of β-thalassemia in a high-risk population
- Opinion Paper
- Teaching and training the total percutaneous fetoscopic myelomeningocele repair
- Corner of Academy
- Chronic hypertension in pregnancy: synthesis of influential guidelines
- Original Articles
- The effects of pre-pregnancy obesity and gestational weight gain on maternal lipid profiles, fatty acids and insulin resistance
- Determination of organic pollutants in meconium and its relationship with fetal growth. Case control study in Northwestern Spain
- Betamethasone as a potential treatment for preterm birth associated with sterile intra-amniotic inflammation: a murine study
- Diagnostic accuracy of modified Hadlock formula for fetal macrosomia in women with gestational diabetes and pregnancy weight gain above recommended
- Vasa previa: when antenatal diagnosis can change fetal prognosis
- Mode of delivery and adverse short- and long-term outcomes in vertex-presenting very preterm born infants: a European population-based prospective cohort study
- Short Communication
- Reference ranges for sphingosine-1-phosphate in neonates
