Prenatal ultrasonographic findings in "trisomy 13".

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis in fetuses with trisomy 13. MATERIAL METHOD: The present study consisted of all fetuses diagnosed of trisomy 13 and delivered at Ramathibodi Hospital between 1997 and 2006. RESULTS: There were 15 cases of trisomy 13. Twelve cases (80.0%) were detected by prenatal ultrasonographic examination, and 3 cases (20.0%) were missed. Mean maternal age was 31.4 years old. Sixty-six percent were diagnosed in 2" trimester (mean 19.4 weeks). The earliest gestational age for detection was 12 weeks 6 days. The most common abnormal ultrasonographic findings were holoprosencephaly (46.7%), and facial defects (40.0%). CONCLUSION: The accuracy of prenatal sonographic diagnosis in trisomy 13 fetuses was 80%. The most sensitive prenatal ultrasonographic findings in trisomy 13 were holoprosencephaly and facial defects.

Trends of perinatal deaths at Ramathibodi Hospital: 1995-2005.

OBJECTIVE: To study the trends in perinatal mortality rate and causes of perinatal deaths at Ramathibodi Hospital from 1995 to 2005. DESIGN: Retrospective descriptive study. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Review of medical records and reports during academic activities. RESULTS: The perinatal mortality rate was 5.10 per 1,000 births. Stillbirth and early neonatal death rate were 3.45 and 1.65 per 1,000 births, respectively. The most common cause of death was macerated fetus (46.80%). Causes of death from congenital anomalies, immaturity, asphyxia and specific conditions were 20.89%, 9.47%, 8.08% and 14.76%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The perinatal mortality rate at Ramathibodi Hospital has declined from 6.70 in 1985 to 5.10 per 1,000 births and remained steady for the last 11 years. Future progress in reducing perinatal deaths requires better understanding of the etiology of stillbirth to improve the strategies for prevention.