Prenatal diagnosis and assessment of fetal malformations by three dimensional ultrasonography at Galaa Teaching Hospital in Egypt

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of fetal anomaly scanning by three dimensional ultrasonography [3 DU/S] in population at risk of fetal anomalies and to confirm the prevalence of anomalies postnatally or by postmortem examination. The sample included 1000 pregnant women at high risk pregnancy of fetal ariomalies examined between [2000-2001]. 1] A detailed 3DU/S examination was performed in each pregnancy between 11-22 weeks of gesetation. 2] Neonatal evaluation or pathological examination was made to confirm the prenatal findings. The total prevalence of fetal abnormalities in our sample was 4.9%. The overall sensitivity in detecting fetuses with congenital abnormalities was 81.6%. The sensitivity per system was 100% for Central Nervous System [C.N.S], 75% for genetic syndromes and 50% for Cardiovascular System [C.V.S.] and Down Syndrome. Some anomalies like hypospadias were not detected prenataly by sonographic examination. In 12 cases pregnancy was terminated due to lethal congenital anomalies [anencephaly and bilateral renal agenesis]. The results indicate that the majority of fetal anomalies can be diagnosed by 3DU/S examination at 11-22 weeks of gesetation. This will be of particular advantage to those women who are at high risk of having affected offspring