Hata T, Sato M, Kanenishi K, Hanaoka U, Tanaka H. 4D Sonography in Assessment of Fetal Neurobehavior. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2012;6(2):121-131.

Assessment of the fetal behavior in normal and high-risk pregnancy during second and third trimesters.

The study group included 61 healthy pregnant women and 135 pregnant women with high-risk pregnancy between 24 and 38 weeks of gestation for a period of 3 years (January 2009-May 2011). After 4D ultrasound examination we applied antenatal neurological score KANET 1. Score is considered normal between 14 and 20, borderline between 6 and 13 and abnormal between 0 and 5.

The Kurjak antenatal neurological test (KANET) scores have significant differences, when applied on the two groups of pregnant women. Most fetuses who obtained normal KANET score were found in normal pregnancies, those who obtained borderline score were fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) with increased resistance index (RI) of middle cerebral artery (ACM) and the most fetuses with abnormal KANET score came from pregnancies complicated by threatened preterm delivery with PPROM.

Dynamic evaluation of fetal behavior reflects directly the processes of maturation and development of the central nervous system. This can make the difference between normal and abnormal brain development and may be used for early diagnosis of neurological disorders that become manifest in perinatal and postnatal periods.

Vladareanu R, Lebit D, Constantinescu S. Ultrasound Assessment of Fetal Neurobehavior in High-risk Pregnancies. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2012;6(2):132-147.

Honemeyer U, Kurjak A. Prenatal Beginnings of Temperament Formation–Myth or Reality? Case Study of a Twin Pregnancy. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2012;6(2):148-153.

To assess the onset and frequency of first interfetal contacts by 4D sonography.

Twenty twin pregnancies were scanned transvaginally between 56 (8 weeks) and 69 postmenstrual days (9+6 weeks) and onward transabdominally, at weekly intervals until 112 postmenstrual days (16 weeks). Scans were recorded on DVD and analyzed retrospectively. The moment of onset, type and frequency of intertwin contacts were assessed.

First interhuman contacts were observed between 61 (8+5 weeks) and 68 (9+5 weeks) postmenstrual days. The frequency of different movements varied according to the gestational age. ‘Touch no reaction’ and ‘First reaction’ were common and frequent from 70 postmenstrual days (10 weeks) onward. ‘Slow body movements’ were more common than ‘Fast body movements’. ‘Complex contacts’ were more frequent at 94 postmenstrual days (13+3 weeks). Simple contacts diminished around 100 postmenstrual days (14+2 weeks). ‘Complex contacts’ and ‘diffuse interactions’ were more commonly observed between 105 (15 weeks) and 112 postmenstrual days (16 weeks). No significant differences were found when different gender combinations were compared.

Intertwin contacts start as soon as 8+5 weeks of gestation and complex or diffuse interactions are already seen at 15 to 16 weeks of gestation.

Prats P, Serra B, Fournier S, Baulies S, Andonotopo W, Kurjak A. 4D Sonographic Assessment of Intertwin Contacts. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2012;6(2):154-159.

Talic A, Kurjak A, Honemeyer U. Effect of Maternal Fever on Fetal Behavior Assessed by KANET Test. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2012;6(2):160-165.

Miskovic B, Predojevic M, Stanojevic M, Tikvica A, Kurjak A, Ivankovic D, Vasilj O. KANET Test: Experience of Zagreb Group. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2012;6(2):166-170.

Shiota K. Advances in the Study of Fetal Development–From Descriptive to Dynamic Embryology. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2012;6(2):171-178.

SalihagićKadić A, Predojevic M. What We have Learned from Fetal Neurophysiology? Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2012;6(2):179-188.

Stanojevic M. Neonatal Aspects: Is There Continuity? Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2012;6(2):189-196.

Appleton K, Plavsic SK. Role of Ultrasound in the Assessment of Postmenopausal Bleeding. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2012;6(2):197-206.

Zafar N, Kupesic Plavsic S. Role of Ultrasound in the Evaluation of Acute Pelvic Pain in Nonpregnant Reproductive Age Patients. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2012;6(2):207-217.