Utility of First Trimester Anomaly Scan in Screening of Congenital Abnormalities in Low and High Risk Pregnancies.

ABSTRACT

The primary objective of the present study is to assess the feasibility and value of first trimester anomaly scan in both high risk and low risk pregnant patients. All high risk and low risk patients with live fetus and 11- to 14-week gestation were enrolled in study after informed and written consent. All patients were screened for congenital anomalies by 11-14 week ultrasound scan (first trimester anomaly scan) as part of routine prenatal care. Second trimester scan was conducted at 18 to 22 weeks gestation. The results of the first trimester anatomic survey were correlated with second trimester target scan to evaluate value of first trimester scan for early detection of anomalies. Overall prevalence of congenital anomalies in study population was 2.6%. Out of these 64.4% were detected by first trimester anomaly scan, while another 35.6% were detected by mid gestation scan. Detailed first trimester anomaly scan and first trimester fetal echocardiography should be performed to detect the fetal anomalies early.