Lizhong Yin, Jing Wang, Bin Zhang, Wenli Wang, Bin Yu
{"title":"Postnatal Outcomes of Fetal Variants of Unknown Significance in Prenatal Chromosomal Microarray Analysis: A Single-Center Study.","authors":"Lizhong Yin, Jing Wang, Bin Zhang, Wenli Wang, Bin Yu","doi":"10.1159/000542147","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000542147","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) can identify clinically significant microdeletions and microduplications, providing valuable insights into the genetic basis of various disorders. Our study was to evaluate clinical management and prognosis of fetuses with prenatal variants of unknown significance (VOUS) and determine diagnostic approaches for subsequent pregnancies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study included 2,953 fetuses undergoing CMA at the Prenatal Diagnostic Center of Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from January 2018 to December 2022, identifying 162 cases with VOUS. Parent-of-origin testing determined the origin of copy number variations. Prenatal genetic counseling was provided, and outcomes were followed for 3-36 months post-birth.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All 162 VOUS cases received prenatal genetic counseling. Among these, 123 continued the pregnancy; 22 chose termination, and 17 were lost to follow-up. Of the continuations, 116 delivered at term and 7 preterm. Post-birth follow-up showed 5/123 live-born fetuses developed relevant clinical phenotypes. Parent-of-origin testing in 21 cases identified 18 hereditary and 3 de novo variants. Additionally, five subsequent pregnancies were monitored, with two undergoing amniocentesis and three receiving low-risk noninvasive prenatal testing, all with positive outcomes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>VOUS, occurring in approximately 5% of cases, require comprehensive prenatal genetic counseling and show generally favorable outcomes. Despite low association with adverse clinical phenotypes, the importance of postnatal follow-up and regular report updates is emphasized to detect potential clinical associations early.</p>","PeriodicalId":12189,"journal":{"name":"Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"225-232"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142461402","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maria Beatriz Siggia Gonçalves, Mariana Azevedo Carvalho, Gustavo Antonio Guimarães Favaro, Juliana Salem Mihich, Juliana Pavan Leite, Aline Franciele Correia de Melo, Fabricio Marcondes Camargo, Diogo Cordeiro de Queiroz Soares, Louise Thomsen Schmidt Arenholt, Peter Christian Leutscher, Lisandra Stein Bernardes
{"title":"Transplacental Sirolimus for Reversal of Fetal Heart Failure due to Fetal Cardiac Rhabdomyoma: Fetal and Maternal Considerations.","authors":"Maria Beatriz Siggia Gonçalves, Mariana Azevedo Carvalho, Gustavo Antonio Guimarães Favaro, Juliana Salem Mihich, Juliana Pavan Leite, Aline Franciele Correia de Melo, Fabricio Marcondes Camargo, Diogo Cordeiro de Queiroz Soares, Louise Thomsen Schmidt Arenholt, Peter Christian Leutscher, Lisandra Stein Bernardes","doi":"10.1159/000542664","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000542664","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Rhabdomyoma is the most common cardiac tumor in fetal life. It has frequent association with tuberous sclerosis complex and may lead to heart failure, a potentially fatal condition. The use of transplacental sirolimus, a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, has emerged as a novel treatment in symptomatic fetal rhabdomyomas; however, there are only few cases described.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>A 37-year-old woman at 29 weeks and 4 days of gestation had been diagnosed with fetal cardiac tumor, adhered adjacent to the left ventricle, associated with heart dysfunction and polyhydramnios. Therapy with oral sirolimus was started, and, once serum levels were achieved, cardiac tumor reduction was observed, with progressive resolution of cardiac dysfunction. However, maternal hypertriglyceridemia was developed as a side effect, a rarely discussed theme on previous articles, and was successfully controlled with dose reduction. The patient delivered a male infant at 38 weeks and 2 days of pregnancy with no need of any resuscitation maneuver.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Transplacental treatment with sirolimus is a promising therapeutic option to treat symptomatic fetal rhabdomyomas, but more data are demanded to determine its efficacy and safety during pregnancy. A close maternal follow-up concerning triglyceride levels is mandatory.</p>","PeriodicalId":12189,"journal":{"name":"Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"420-428"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143022523","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Denise Araujo Lapa, Shivani Rangwala, Bassel Zebian, Matthew Brown, Jason Chu, Ramen H Chmait
{"title":"Late Prenatal Development of Hindbrain Herniation in Open Spina Bifida.","authors":"Denise Araujo Lapa, Shivani Rangwala, Bassel Zebian, Matthew Brown, Jason Chu, Ramen H Chmait","doi":"10.1159/000543850","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000543850","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>We describe 4 cases of open spina bifida initially presumed to be \"closed\" defects in which serial prenatal ultrasound examinations documented the occurrence of sac rupture and development of Chiari II malformation later in the pregnancy.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>In each case, the ultrasound examinations starting from 19 to 24 weeks' gestation, showed spinal cystic lesions containing neural elements but no evidence of Chiari II malformation. The lack of hindbrain herniation rendered them ineligible for prenatal surgical repair, but follow-up imaging at 24-32 weeks' gestation demonstrated the cystic lesions to be no longer visible or visible but decompressed, with the additional development of de novo hindbrain herniation.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We conclude by recommending serial ultrasound surveillance of presumed closed spina bifida as these may be in fact open defects, with confirmatory diagnosis only possible later in pregnancy. This detection is important because it may change counseling since prenatal repair or planned delivery may be warranted.</p>","PeriodicalId":12189,"journal":{"name":"Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"429-438"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143413659","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Francois I Luks, Julie Monteagudo, Scott Collins, Stephanie A Eyerly-Webb, Lisa W Howley, Joseph B Lillegard, Inna N Lobeck, Michael J Beninati
{"title":"Surface Rendering of Cross-Sectional Imaging and Medical Illustration for Perinatal Planning in Conjoined Twins.","authors":"Francois I Luks, Julie Monteagudo, Scott Collins, Stephanie A Eyerly-Webb, Lisa W Howley, Joseph B Lillegard, Inna N Lobeck, Michael J Beninati","doi":"10.1159/000542700","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000542700","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Surface rendering of diagnostic imaging data can reveal hidden conditions with an almost life-like realism. However, early gestation images alone are often insufficient to accurately predict postnatal anatomy. Yet, time-sensitive decisions may have to be made before detailed imaging becomes possible. In this case series, we evaluate how combining medical illustration with cross-sectional diagnostic imaging can enhance the accuracy and clinical value of early visualization of conjoined twins.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Early gestation magnetic resonance imaging scans underwent semiautomated computerized post hoc manipulation to allow the medical illustrator to create the most effective images of the twins.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Four sets of conjoined twins were diagnosed before 17 weeks. Surface modeling allowed spatial manipulation of the twins to highlight their anatomic connections. Further volumetric enhancement and critical interpretation of the models assisted the illustrator in creating life-like, accurate images of the twins. These illustrations allowed parents to visualize the likely presentation at birth and helped the multidisciplinary team to plan postnatal management.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Surface rendering and surface modeling can be combined with medical illustration to create realistic, informative images of developing fetuses, using a level of detail that is tailored to the intended audience. This may be particularly useful in visualizing complex anomalies like conjoined twins.</p>","PeriodicalId":12189,"journal":{"name":"Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"254-261"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142675553","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shelly Soni, Juliana S Gebb, Christina Paidas Teefey, Julie S Moldenhauer, Nahla Khalek
{"title":"Risk Factors for Spontaneous Preterm Delivery in Monochorionic Diamniotic Pregnancies Undergoing Selective Fetal Reduction via Radiofrequency Ablation.","authors":"Shelly Soni, Juliana S Gebb, Christina Paidas Teefey, Julie S Moldenhauer, Nahla Khalek","doi":"10.1159/000545189","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000545189","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>To identify risk factors for spontaneous preterm delivery (sPTD) before 32, 34, and 37 weeks in a cohort of monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twin pregnancies undergoing selective fetal reduction (SFR) using radiofrequency ablation (RFA).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A single-center retrospective analysis of complex MCDA twin pregnancies managed with SFR via RFA between 2014 and 2023. Perioperative variables were compared between patients who had sPTD before and after 34 weeks and 37 weeks. We also compared variables for pregnancies that were delivered before and after 32 weeks. Correlation analysis between gestational age at SFR and gestational age at delivery was performed. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was created for time to 34 weeks grouped by different diagnostic indications and a log-rank test was performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the study cohort, the total rate of preterm delivery was 52.0% of these 46.9% pregnancies delivering spontaneously. The rate of sPTD before 34 weeks was 27.1% and before 32 weeks was 19.4%. There was a significantly higher proportion of pregnancies undergoing RFA for the indication of TTTS that delivered before 34 weeks (43.5% vs. 22.6%, p = 0.01). Also, a greater number of pregnancies undergoing RFA for the indication of TTTS delivered before 37 weeks spontaneously (35.7% vs. 20.9%, p = 0.04). A subgroup analysis of sPTD before 32 weeks was performed. Preoperative cervical length was the only independent predictor for delivery before 32 weeks on multiple regression after controlling for confounders. Gestational age at procedure did not correlate with gestational age at delivery (p = 0.78). Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the proportion of pregnancies remaining undelivered from the time of RFA until 34 weeks' gestation was lower for the indication of TTTS.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Preoperative indication of TTTS was associated with an increased risk of sPTD before 34 and 37 weeks in the MCDA twin population undergoing RFA. In contrast, preoperative cervical length was independently associated with sPTD before 32 weeks in the same population.</p>","PeriodicalId":12189,"journal":{"name":"Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"402-411"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143604440","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Eleonor Tiblad, Lone Nikoline Nørgaard, Maria Stefopoulou, Lotte Harmsen, Birgitte Kahrs, Peter Lindgren, Georg Macharey, Vedran Stefanovic, Laura Seikku, Karin Sundberg, Ayden Tekay, Eleonor Tiblad
{"title":"Collaboration on Treatment of Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome in a Borderless Nordic Center.","authors":"Eleonor Tiblad, Lone Nikoline Nørgaard, Maria Stefopoulou, Lotte Harmsen, Birgitte Kahrs, Peter Lindgren, Georg Macharey, Vedran Stefanovic, Laura Seikku, Karin Sundberg, Ayden Tekay, Eleonor Tiblad","doi":"10.1159/000546127","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000546127","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><p>Introduction: The Nordic Fetal Therapy Alliance centralizes treatment of twin-to-twin transfusion (TTTS) to ensure high-quality fetal therapy. This study reports the outcomes of treated TTTS cases and highlights the importance of international collaboration.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a prospective observational study on all pregnancies undergoing TTTS surgery between May 2019 and April 2022 in the Nordic countries. The primary outcome was perinatal survival at 28 days. Secondary outcomes were gestational age (GA) at delivery, procedure-related complications, and mode of delivery.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 200 cases underwent fetal surgery; 185 were treated with fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (FLP), and 15 with primary selective reduction by cord occlusion (CO). FLP resulted in at least one surviving neonate in 86% and in at least two survivors in 64%. Median GA at surgery was 20+1 weeks (range 15+1; 29+0), and median GA at delivery was 32+2 weeks (range 24+3; 41+0). In the CO group, 80% had at least one surviving neonate. Preterm premature rupture of membranes occurred in 13.6% within the FLP group and none in the CO group. Post-laser twin-anemia polycythemia sequence occurred in 5.4%.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Collaboration across borders on TTTS treatment in the Nordic region is possible, and outcome results are comparable to other International Centers. </p>.</p>","PeriodicalId":12189,"journal":{"name":"Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"489-497"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12143846/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143980221","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Saccular Limited Dorsal Myeloschisis: A Distinct Prenatal Entity.","authors":"G Ponmozhi, K Manikandan","doi":"10.1159/000546325","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000546325","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>LDM is a distinct form of spinal dysraphism characterized by two important features: a focal \"closed\" midline defect and a fibroneural stalk that connects the skin lesion to the underlying cord. When a fluid-filled sac overlies the defect, it is classified as saccular LDM (s-LDM). The embryogenesis is incomplete disjunction between cutaneous and neural ectoderms - allowing persistence of a physical connection between the disjunction site and the dorsal neural tube. We aim to describe the prenatal features and perinatal outcomes of s-LDM.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study is a review of case records from January 2018 to April 2024. A lesion was classified as s-LDM if the following criteria were met: (a) fluid-filled saccular lesion in the midline of the fetal back overlying dysraphic spine; (b) echogenic stalk connecting the saccular lesion to the cord. Presence or absence of posterior fossa abnormalities (Chiari II malformation) was not required for the diagnosis or exclusion.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twenty-three cases of LDM were identified - 5 cervical, 3 lumbosacral, 1 lumbar, and 14 sacral. A fibroneural stalk was identified in all. Perinatal outcome was available in all but one. Ten patients (1 cervical, 3 lumbosacral, 6 sacral) underwent surgery after birth, two awaiting surgery at the time of writing this paper. Ten pregnancies underwent termination, and one was lost to follow-up. Additional prenatal findings included obliteration of cisterna magna in two fetuses, frontal bone scalloping in three, bilateral ventriculomegaly in two, underlying intraspinal lipoma in one, Blake pouch cyst in two, and low-placed conus in twenty fetuses. Head circumference was normal in all cases.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>s-LDM has unique sonographic features making it feasible for a definitive prenatal diagnosis. This is important since the postnatal surgical outcome is vastly different from myelomeningocele.</p>","PeriodicalId":12189,"journal":{"name":"Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"452-460"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144173176","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Laura Szlang,Rabih Chaoui,Bernd Opgen-Rhein,Mi-Young Cho,Wolfgang Henrich
{"title":"Prenatal Diagnosis of Anomalous Origin of the Left Pulmonary Artery in Fetus with a Right-Sided Aortic Arch - Case Report and Review of the Literature.","authors":"Laura Szlang,Rabih Chaoui,Bernd Opgen-Rhein,Mi-Young Cho,Wolfgang Henrich","doi":"10.1159/000541432","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000541432","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction Anomalous origin of the left pulmonary artery (AOLPA) is an exceptionally rare congenital malformation, requiring particular care to be detected during fetal echocardiography. Case presentation A 30-year-old woman, gravida 1, para 0, was referred for a mid-trimester anomaly scan. The three-vessel tracheal view in fetal echocardiographic examination led to the prenatal detection of an anomalous origin of the left pulmonary artery in the presence of a right-sided aortic arch. Additionally, a bilateral arterial duct and the ductal origin of the left pulmonary artery (LPA) were detected postnatally. Prenatal diagnosis enabled the scheduling of the delivery in a tertiary perinatal center, immediate postnatal treatment with prostaglandin E1 to avoid obstruction of the isolated LPA as well as surgical repair of the anomaly. Conclusion The rareness of the disease led to only sporadically published cases of prenatal diagnosis of AOLPA. However, early detection makes prenatal diagnosis crucial regarding the infants' outcome. This case report underlines the importance of a meticulous examination of the bifurcation of the pulmonary trunk during fetal echocardiography.","PeriodicalId":12189,"journal":{"name":"Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy","volume":"208 1","pages":"1-19"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142262424","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ashlyn E Whitlock,Kamila Moskowitzova,Ina Kycia,Jeffrey Nelson,David Zurakowski,Dario O Fauza
{"title":"Transamniotic Fetal Immunotherapy (TRAFIT) with Secretory IgA: A Potential Novel Ancillary Strategy for the Prevention of Necrotizing Enterocolitis.","authors":"Ashlyn E Whitlock,Kamila Moskowitzova,Ina Kycia,Jeffrey Nelson,David Zurakowski,Dario O Fauza","doi":"10.1159/000541434","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000541434","url":null,"abstract":"INTRODUCTIONSecretory immunoglobulin-A (SIgA), which is not produced perinatally, binds bacteria enhancing mucosal immunity. Higher levels of intestinal bacteria bound by SIgA are protective against necrotizing enterocolitis. Transamniotic fetal immunotherapy (TRAFIT) has previously been used to deliver SIgA to the fetal digestive tract, however with unclear functional impact. We sought to determine whether SIgA administered via TRAFIT could functionally bind intestinal bacteria postnatally.METHODSFetuses (n=38) from four dams underwent intra-amniotic injections of human SIgA on gestational-day 19 (E19; term=E22-E23). After spontaneous delivery, pups were survived for 1-2 days postnatally before intestinal contents were procured and submitted to flow cytometry. Specimens were stained for bacteria (Syto-GFP) and human-SIgA (PE) to prevent cross-reactivity with maternal rat SIgA.RESULTSOverall survival was 94.7% (36/38). SIgA-bacterial complexes were identified in all samples at all time points showing significantly higher positive PE events than unstained controls (p=0.03-0.05). The proportion of bacteria bound by IgA decreased daily, from 45.6% to 29.9% bound at 4 to 6 days post-TRAFIT, respectively (overall p=0.05).CONCLUSIONSTransamniotic fetal immunotherapy with secretory-IgA leads to functionally IgA-bound bacteria into the postnatal period and may be a novel strategy for enhancing early mucosal immunity, potentially protecting the neonate against necrotizing enterocolitis.","PeriodicalId":12189,"journal":{"name":"Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy","volume":"30 1","pages":"1-17"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142262425","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kamila Moskowitzova,Abbie E Naus,Tanya T Dang,David Zurakowski,Dario O Fauza
{"title":"Transamniotic Delivery of Surfactant Protein B mRNA in a Healthy Model.","authors":"Kamila Moskowitzova,Abbie E Naus,Tanya T Dang,David Zurakowski,Dario O Fauza","doi":"10.1159/000541429","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000541429","url":null,"abstract":"INTRODUCTIONWe sought to determine whether exogenous surfactant protein B (SPB) mRNA could be incorporated and translated by the fetal lung after simple transamniotic administration.METHODSFetuses (n=149) of twelve time-dated dams underwent intra-amniotic injections of either human SPB (hSPB) mRNA encapsulated into lipopolyplex (mRNA, n=99), or of lipopolyplex without mRNA (control; n=50) on gestational day 17 (E17, term=E21-22). Lungs were screened for hSPB by ELISA daily until term. Phosphatidylcholine (a surrogate for surfactant production) was measured in the amniotic fluid by fluorometric assay. Statistical analysis included nonparametric Wilcoxon rank sum test.RESULTSSignificantly improved survival in the mRNA group compared to controls was observed at E18 (100% vs. 85.7%) and E20 (100% vs. 83.3%) (both p<0.001). When controlled by mRNA-free injections, hSPB protein was detected in the mRNA group's lungs at E18, 19, and term (p=0.002 to <0.001). Amniotic fluid phosphatidylcholine levels were increased compared to control at term [285.9 (251.1, 363.9)μM vs. 263.1 (222.8, 309.1)μM], however this did not reach significance (p=0.33).CONCLUSIONSEncapsulated exogenous SPB mRNA can be incorporated and translated by fetal lung cells following intra-amniotic injection in a healthy rat model. Transamniotic mRNA delivery could become a novel strategy for perinatal surfactant protein replacement.","PeriodicalId":12189,"journal":{"name":"Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy","volume":"6 1","pages":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142262426","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}