ABSTRACT
Objective To summarize the experience of multidisciplinary consultation for prenatal fetal deformity, and to explore the mode suitable for China. Methods The Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University and Children's Hospital of Fudan University established a joint multidisciplinary consultation center, including obstetrics, pediatrics, pediatric surgery, ultrasound and other departments. A total of 3 378 pregnant women visited the consultation center from July 31, 2003 to August 1, 2013. After consultation, treatment was divided into three classes:pregnancy termination, pregnancy continuation and perinatal treatment. Follow-up was made through correspondence and telephone communication. Retrospective analysis on reasons for consultation, fetal structural abnormalities of the classification system, chronological order of abnormalities, gestational weeks of diagnosis, maternal-related factors, treatment and prognosis was performed. Results (1) Reasons for consultation:Among 3 378 women undertaking prenatal multidisciplinary consultation, 3 243 (96.00%) were due to fetal factors, and 135 (4.00%) were due to maternal factors. (2) Classification of fetal structural abnormalities:Among the 3 243 cases undertaking consultation with fetal factors, fetal abnormality was found in 80.85%(2 622/3 243). The most common were neurological abnormalities(23.19%, 608/2 622), followed by urinary tract malformation (20.25%, 531/2 622) and cardiovascular malformation (15.48%, 406/2 622). These were followed by digestive system malformation, limb deformities and space-occupying lesions. There were 156 cases of multiple malformations. (3) Average gestational weeks for diagnosis of fetal deformity:The 2 622 cases of fetal deformity were diagnosed at a mean (26.7± 2.1) of gestational weeks (21.1–30.4 weeks). Urinary tract malformations were detected at (24.0±0.7) weeks, whereas digestive system malformations were detected at (28.3±2.6) weeks. (4) Induced labor:Induced labor cases accounted for 35.66% (935/2 622), among which, 92 cases were fetal intrauterine death and 843 cases were active choice. The several highest induced labor rates resulted from multiple malformations (75.64%, 118/156), abdominal wall defects (62.22%, 28/45), diaphragmatic hernia (61.54%, 24/39), cleft lip and palate (55.32%, 26/47) and cardiovascular malformations (49.51%, 201/406). For nervous system (27.80%, 169/608), urinary tract (25.80%, 137/531) and digestive system malformations (26.94%, 66/245), induced labor rates were <30%. For abdominal lesions (14.04%, 25/178) and sacrococcygeal teratoma (13.64%, 3/22), induced labor rates were<15%. (5) Continuation of pregnancy in 1 687 cases:Cesarean section was conducted in 1 046(61.94%). Neonatal death occurred in 117(6.94%).(6) Perinatal treatment:Twenty-one cases were treated during pregnancy, including thirteen cases with fetal ascites and hydrothorax treated by drainage, five cases with fetal anemia treated by intrauterine transfusion and three cases with fetal tachycardia treated by digoxin. Ten cases were treated by ex-utero intrapartum treatment. After birth, 297 newborns immediately underwent neonatal surgery. Among these, 259 cases underwent radical surgery, eleven palliative surgery, and sixteen elective surgery after follow-up. Conclusions Prenatal multidisciplinary consultation can make comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment of fetal prognosis and improve the diagnosis and treatment of structural malformations.