Premium
Early anatomy ultrasound in women at increased risk of fetal anomalies
Author(s) -
Lim Janice,
Whittle Wendy L.,
Lee YeeMan,
Ryan Greg,
Van Mieghem Tim
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.4145
Subject(s) - medicine , ultrasound , fetus , population , gestation , fetal echocardiography , trisomy , anatomy , prenatal diagnosis , radiology , obstetrics , pregnancy , biology , environmental health , genetics
Objective This study was designed to assess the accuracy of ultrasound anatomy screening before 17 weeks gestation in a population at high risk of fetal anomalies. Methods Retrospective review of anatomy ultrasound examinations carried out between 12–17 weeks gestation in a high‐risk population. Early sonographic findings were compared with the 18–22 week anatomy ultrasound, karyotype, echocardiogram and postnatal/postmortem results. Results A complete anatomical survey was achieved in 68 of 101 screened fetuses (67%), with cardiac anatomy having the lowest completion rate (78/101; 77%). Anomalies were suspected on ultrasound in 23 fetuses. Four of these did not undergo pathologic examination but had clearly abnormal findings on ultrasound. Eighteen fetuses had a confirmed abnormal outcome. Sensitivity of early anatomy ultrasound was 83.3% ( n = 15/18) and specificity 94.9% ( n = 75/79). There were 3 false negative ultrasounds (16.6%: trisomy 21 with short humerus, choanal atresia and ventriculomegaly, and a ventricular septal defect). False positive rate was 4.0% (4 ventricular septal defects). Conclusion The high rate of visualization of anatomic structures between 12–17 weeks gestation allows for either early detection of fetal anomalies or parental reassurance in many cases. Subtle anomalies of the heart remain difficult to diagnose. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.