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The fetal frontomaxillary facial angle in normal and trisomy 21 ultrasounds at 11–13 +6 weeks of gestation: findings among the ethnic Chinese compared with Caucasian
Author(s) -
Hsiao Ching Hua,
Liu Wen Liang,
Chen Ran Chou,
Cheng Bo Jen,
Tseng Yin Jiun,
Chu Woei Chyn
Publication year - 2013
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.4084
Subject(s) - trisomy , gestation , medicine , fetus , gestational age , ethnic chinese , aneuploidy , population , obstetrics , chinese population , pregnancy , down syndrome , gynecology , biology , chromosome , biochemistry , genetics , environmental health , psychiatry , gene , genotype , china , political science , law
Objective The aim of this research was to compare the fetal frontomaxillary facial (FMF) angle between normal and trisomy 21 fetuses at 11 +0 –13 +6 weeks gestation in a Chinese population. Methods A prospective observational study was performed that included 640 euploid and 45 trisomy 21 singleton pregnancies undergoing first trimester ultrasound screening between 11 and 13 +6 weeks of gestation. The FMF angle was measured in the midsagittal plane using the standard technique. Results The fetal mean FMF angle decreased with the increasing crown‐rump length (CRL) from 88.6°at a CRL of 45 mm to 78.5° at a CRL of 84 mm (FMF angle = 100.212 − 0.258 × CRL, R 2 = 0.222, p < 0.001). The overall mean FMF angle in the euploid population was 82.9° ± 4.1° and in trisomy 21 cases, 92.3° ± 5.2°. Conclusions Fetal FMF angle is affected by gestational age in a Chinese population, although it remains a significant predictor of fetal trisomy 21. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.