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ANTENATAL DIAGNOSIS OF SPINA BIFIDA
Author(s) -
Con Aileen F.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1974.tb00375.x
Subject(s) - spina bifida , amniocentesis , gestation , obstetrics , medicine , fetus , prenatal diagnosis , neural tube , pregnancy , pediatrics , embryo , biology , genetics , microbiology and biotechnology
Summary A method of definitive antenatal diagnosis for spina bifida is described. Preliminary amniocentesis is performed at 12 to 14 weeks' gestation for alpha1‐fetoprotein. If this result is normal, an amniogram carried out at 18 to 20 weeks' gestation gives a good outline of the fetal back and a view of the fetal spine so that a confident diagnosis of a baby without a neural canal defect is possible, thus avoiding termination of pregnancy.