Talk:Fetal Development

2010

The quality of fetal arm movements as indicators of fetal stress

Early Hum Dev. 2010 Oct 12. [Epub ahead of print]

Reissland N, Francis B.

Department of Psychology, University of Durham, Science Site, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK. Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although a number of studies have found that maternal stress affects the fetus, it is unclear whether jerky fetal movements observed on ultrasound scans are indicative of fetal stress, or whether they are part of normal development.

AIMS: The present study was designed to examine the relationship between jerky fetal arm movements in relation to fetal age and stress.

METHODS: Video recordings were made of routine ultrasound scans of 57 fetuses (age range 8 to 33weeks) classified into three age groups: 1st trimester (8-12weeks, N=9), 2nd trimester (13-24weeks, N=38), and 3rd trimester (26-33weeks, N=10). Following previous research on stress behaviour in neonates, a fetal index of stress was derived from frequency of hiccup, back arch and rhythmical mouthing.

RESULTS: Results indicated that while stress level was unrelated to fetal age, jerkiness of arm movements was significantly associated with the fetal stress index but not age.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that jerky arm movements in fetuses are suggestive of fetal stress. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

PMID: 20947272

2009

Autopsy standards for fetal lengths and organ weights of an Australian perinatal population

Pathology. 2009;41(6):515-26.

Phillips JB, Billson VR, Forbes AB.

Department of Anatomical Pathology, Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Abstract AIMS: This study aims to establish a complete and accurate set of Australian reference ranges to be used during the routine perinatal post-mortem examination. Eighteen routinely measured parameters will be analysed for each gestational age from 12 weeks to 42 weeks inclusive.

METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all perinatal and neonatal autopsies conducted at the Royal Women's Hospital (RWH), Melbourne, between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2006. A total of 1116 post-mortem examination reports were analysed for this study. Established study design, technical and statistical methodologies were followed.

RESULTS: Reference ranges comprising mean and standard deviation have been produced, together with the 5th, 50th and 95th percentiles for all parameters at each gestational age. Graphs demonstrating these data have been developed for each parameter.

CONCLUSION: This study has established a complete set of reference ranges for parameters measured at perinatal post-mortem examinations. As the sample population used is truly representative of the mixed immigrant population present in Australian society, the reference ranges and percentiles produced in this study will be valuable for all perinatal pathologists.

PMID: 19588281 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19588281

http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00313020903041093

2006

Quantitative standards for fetal and neonatal autopsy

Am J Clin Pathol. 2006 Aug;126(2):256-65.

Archie JG, Collins JS, Lebel RR.

Office of Epidemiology, Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, SC, USA.

Abstract Growth curves are essential for determining whether growth parameters lie within normal ranges. In the case of fetal and neonatal autopsy, relevant data are scattered across many publications, and few sources examine a large enough sample to be considered definitive. To ameliorate these inadequacies, regressions were created incorporating data from multiple sources both to increase accuracy and to condense available data into a single standard. When measurements were not well studied, the best available published standards are given. These regressions provide a valuable tool for clinicians who need to understand the significance of measurements obtained during autopsy.

PMID: 16891202

2003

Reference values for second trimester fetal and neonatal organ weights and measurements

Pediatr Dev Pathol. 2003 Mar-Apr;6(2):160-7. Epub 2003 Jan 29.

Hansen K, Sung CJ, Huang C, Pinar H, Singer DB, Oyer CE.

Department of Pathology, Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island and Brown Medical School, 101 Dudley Street, Providence, RI 02905, USA. Abstract To establish accurate reference ranges for the entire second trimester, we documented organ weights, body weight, and linear measurements for 597 fetuses and neonates with gestational ages ranging from 12 to 26 wk. We determined the mean and standard deviation for weights and measurements at each week of gestation using the StatView trade mark SE + Graphics statistical program. The analyses revealed a linear correlation between the gestational age and, respectively, the toe-heel length, crown-rump length, and crown-heel length. Body and organ weights increase at varying rates throughout the second trimester. The data correlate well with weights and measurements previously published for the latter half of the second trimester, and extend these reference ranges to encompass the entire second trimester.

PMID: 12548377 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12548377

Myelination occurs rapidly in the first year of life and overall adult patterns are present at age 2 years

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17151152

Effect of trihalomethane exposure on fetal development. Wright JM, Schwartz J, Dockery DW. Occup Environ Med. 2003 Mar;60(3):173-80. PMID: 12598663

Lifetime consequences of abnormal fetal pancreatic development. Holemans K, Aerts L, Van Assche FA. J Physiol. 2003 Feb 15;547(Pt 1):11-20. Epub 2003 Jan 17. Review. PMID: 12562919 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2342610/?tool=pubmed

Development of the innervation and airway smooth muscle in human fetal lung

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10100986

Human and porcine fetal airways have been shown to contract spontaneously from the first trimester, the latter also contracting in response to neural stimulation. Our object was to map immunohistochemically the innervation and its relationship to the airway smooth muscle (ASM) in the human fetal lung from early gestation to the postnatal period. Whole mounts of the bronchial tree were stained with antibodies to the pan-neuronal marker protein gene product 9.5, the Schwann cell marker S-100, and the ASM contractile protein alpha-actin, and imaged using confocal microscopy. By the end of the embryonic period (53 d gestation), the branching epithelial tubules in the primordial lung were covered with ASM to the base of the terminal sacs. An extensive plexus of nerve trunks containing nerve bundles, forming ganglia, and Schwann cells ensheathed the ASM. By 16 wk (canalicular stage), maturation of the innervation was advanced with two major nerve trunks running the length of the bronchial tree, giving rise to varicosed fibers lying on the ASM. An extensive nerve plexus in the mucosa was also present. The distal airways of infants who had died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome were also covered with smooth muscle and were well innervated. Thus, an essentially complete coat of ASM and an abundant neural plexus ensheathing the airways are an integral part of the branching epithelial tubules from early in lung development.

Various Fetal Parameters

Cetin E, Malas MA, Albay S, Cankara N. Abstract The development of stomach during the fetal period. Surg Radiol Anat. 2006 Oct;28(5):438-46. Epub 2006 Aug 12. PMID: 16906359 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 7:

Malas MA, Ungör B, Tağil SM, Sulak O. Abstract Determination of dimensions and angles of mandible in the fetal period. Surg Radiol Anat. 2006 Aug;28(4):364-71. Epub 2006 Mar 28. PMID: 16568218 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 8:

Vlajković S, Vasović L, Daković-Bjelaković M, Cukuranović R. Abstract Age-related changes of the human fetal kidney size. Cells Tissues Organs. 2006;182(3-4):193-200. PMID: 16914921 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 9:

Albay S, Malas MA, Cetin E, Cankara N, Karahan N. Abstract Development of the liver during the fetal period. Saudi Med J. 2005 Nov;26(11):1710-5. PMID: 16311653 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 10:

Sari A, Ahmetoglu A, Dinc H, Saglam A, Kurtoglu U, Kandemir S, Gümele HR. Abstract Fetal biometry: size and configuration of the third ventricle. Acta Radiol. 2005 Oct;46(6):631-5. PMID: 16334847 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 11:

Vignolo M, Ginocchio G, Parodi A, Torrisi C, Pistorio A, Venturini PL, Aicardi G, De Biasio P. Abstract Fetal spine ossification: the gender and individual differences illustrated by ultrasonography. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2005 Jun;31(6):733-8. PMID: 15936488 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 12:

Uysal II, Karabulut AK, Salbacak A, Büyükmumcu M, Seker M. Abstract Correlation between developmental stages of the human heart and gestational ages. Saudi Med J. 2005 Apr;26(4):531-6. PMID: 15900354 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 13:

Lampl M, Kuzawa CW, Jeanty P. Abstract Growth patterns of the heart and kidney suggest inter-organ collaboration in facultative fetal growth. Am J Hum Biol. 2005 Mar-Apr;17(2):178-94. PMID: 15736176 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 14:

Al Atawi F, Warsy A, Babay Z, Addar M. Abstract Fetal sex and leptin concentrations in pregnant females. Ann Saudi Med. 2005 Mar-Apr;25(2):124-8. PMID: 15977690 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 15:

Vlajković S, Daković-Bjelaković M, Cukuranović R, Popović J. Abstract Evaluation of absolute volume of human fetal kidney's cortex and medulla during gestation. Vojnosanit Pregl. 2005 Feb;62(2):107-11. PMID: 15787163 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 16:

Perni SC, Predanic M, Cho JE, Kalish RB, Chasen ST. Abstract Association of amniotic fluid index with estimated fetal weight. J Ultrasound Med. 2004 Nov;23(11):1449-52; quiz 1453. PMID: 15498909 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]