OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk of preterm birth (delivery at less than 37 weeks of gestation) by evaluating the fetal adrenal gland volume, hallmark of activation of the fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, measured by 3-dimensional ultrasonography. METHODS: We performed 3-dimensional ultrasound examination of the fetal adrenal gland volume in 126 singleton fetuses, prospectively comparing those born to mothers with signs or symptoms of preterm labor (n=53) to control subjects (n=73). Multiplanar technique with rotational methods for measurement of fetal adrenal gland volume was performed by using Virtual Organ Computer-Aided Analysis (VOCAL) technology. RESULTS: The fetal adrenal gland volume was successfully examined in 86.5% of the cases. There was a direct relationship between the fetal adrenal gland volume and estimated fetal weight. A corrected adrenal gland volume of greater than 422 mm3/kg was best in predicting preterm birth within 5 days from the time of the measurement. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios were 92%, 99%, 93.5, and 0.08, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the corrected adrenal gland volume was the only significant independent predictor factor of preterm birth within 5 days of measurement. CONCLUSION: Corrected adrenal gland volume measurement may identify women at risk for impending preterm birth. This information can be generated noninvasively and in time for clinical decision making. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk of preterm birth (delivery at less than 37 weeks of gestation) by evaluating the fetal adrenal gland volume, hallmark of activation of the fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, measured by 3-dimensional ultrasonography. METHODS: We performed 3-dimensional ultrasound examination of the fetal adrenal gland volume in 126 singleton fetuses, prospectively comparing those born to mothers with signs or symptoms of preterm labor (n=53) to control subjects (n=73). Multiplanar technique with rotational methods for measurement of fetal adrenal gland volume was performed by using Virtual Organ Computer-Aided Analysis (VOCAL) technology. RESULTS: The fetal adrenal gland volume was successfully examined in 86.5% of the cases. There was a direct relationship between the fetal adrenal gland volume and estimated fetal weight. A corrected adrenal gland volume of greater than 422 mm3/kg was best in predicting preterm birth within 5 days from the time of the measurement. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios were 92%, 99%, 93.5, and 0.08, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the corrected adrenal gland volume was the only significant independent predictor factor of preterm birth within 5 days of measurement. CONCLUSION: Corrected adrenal gland volume measurement may identify women at risk for impending preterm birth. This information can be generated noninvasively and in time for clinical decision making. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.
Authors: Ozhan M Turan; Sifa Turan; Irina A Buhimschi; Edmund F Funai; Katherine H Campbell; Ozan M Bahtiyar; Chris R Harman; Joshua A Copel; Ahmet A Baschat; Catalin S Buhimschi Journal: Am J Perinatol Date: 2012-05-29 Impact factor: 1.862
Authors: Humberto Azpurua; Antonette T Dulay; Irina A Buhimschi; Mert O Bahtiyar; Edmund Funai; Sonya S Abdel-Razeq; Guoyang Luo; Vineet Bhandari; Joshua A Copel; Catalin S Buhimschi Journal: Am J Obstet Gynecol Date: 2009-02 Impact factor: 8.661
Authors: Harshini Katugampola; Peter J King; Sumana Chatterjee; Muriel Meso; Andrew J Duncan; John C Achermann; Leo Guasti; Lea Ghataore; Norman F Taylor; Rebecca Allen; Shemoon Marlene; Joseph Aquilina; Ali Abbara; Channa N Jaysena; Waljit S Dhillo; Leo Dunkel; Ulla Sankilampi; Helen L Storr Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Date: 2017-09-01 Impact factor: 5.958