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Prenatal diagnosis of fetal anomalies during the second trimester of pregnancy: Their characterization and delineation of defects in pregnancies at risk
Author(s) -
Dallaire L.,
Michaud J.,
Melancon S. B.,
Potter M.,
Lambert M.,
Mitchell G.,
Boisvert J.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
prenatal diagnosis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.956
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1097-0223
pISSN - 0197-3851
DOI - 10.1002/pd.1970110821
Subject(s) - obstetrics , medicine , pregnancy , prenatal diagnosis , second trimester , fetus , first trimester , gynecology , biology , genetics
During a follow‐up study of 19 790 pregnancies at risk for a genetic disease, from 1968 to 1989, 1083 fetuses were found to have an anomaly during the second trimester, leading to 977 terminations of pregnancy. Neural tube defects (31.4 per cent), chromosomal disorders (27.1 per cent), and Mendelian or multifactorial diseases (10.6 per cent) were the main causes of fetal anomaly. More than half (52.9 per cent) of the fetal anomalies were detected by routine ultrasound examination. Forty‐two per cent of cystic hygromas were secondary to a chromosomal defect. We stress the importance of a comprehensive fetal and newborn examination to ensure an accurate diagnosis so that subsequently accurate counselling can be provided.