Detection of Fetal Defects in First Trimester by Ultrasound Examination - Abilities and Limitations

Authors

  • M. Yankova Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital “Lozenetz”
  • V. Stratieva O.S.C.A.R. Clinic
  • P. Chaveeva O.S.C.A.R. Clinic
  • G. Hadjidekov Department of Radiology, University Hospital “Lozenetz”

Keywords:

First trimester, Fetal defects, Holoprosencephaly, Acrania, Hypoplastic left heart syndrome, Omphalocele, Gastroschisis, Megacystis, Body stalk anomaly

Abstract

The development of prenatal diagnostics in the recent years and the introduction of the new cell free DNA testing for chromosomal abnormalities raised the question about the effectiveness of the well-known First trimester screening. The need to reassess and to determine the efficacy of the 11-14 week scans in detecting fetuses with chromosomal abnormalities and structural defects arose again. Could the First trimester screening be abandoned and replaced by the new tests? In our practice we find that at 11-14 weeks some abnormalities are always detectable, some can never be and others are potentially detectable depending on their association with increased Nuchal translucency (NT). Fetal structural abnormalities can be classified as major or minor and of early or late onset. After the introduction of a national screening program the prenatal detection rates for all congenital anomalies has increased considerably. Especially anencephaly, gastroschisis and exomphalos are amenable for early detection (in the first trimester). The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of 11-14 week scan in detecting fetuses with structural anomalies that are almost always detectable in the recent years.

Downloads

Published

2016-07-30

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 2 (2016)

Section

Articles

License

Policy for Journals/Articles with Open Access

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
    1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

  1. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post links to their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work

Policy for Journals / Manuscript with Paid Access

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
    1. Publisher retain copyright .

  1. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post links to their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work .