Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of VACTERL association / 中华医学超声杂志（电子版）

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the ultrasonic features and outcomes of VACTERL association fetuses. Methods From Jan 2003 to Sep 2013 in Shenzhen Maternity&Child Healthcare Hospital there were 55 fetuses diagnosed as VACTERL association, the prenatal ultrasonographic characteristics and outcomes were summarized. Results Ultrasonography showed that the incidence of 6 VACTERL association anomalies werevertebral defects were 45.5%(25/55), anal atresia were 30.9%(46/55), cardiac malformations were 81.8%(45/55), tracheoesophageal ifstula/esophageal atresia were 32.7%(18/55), renal anomalies were 60.0%(33/55) and limb anomalies were 83.6%(17/55). All the 55 fetuses had 3 or more VACTERL association malformations and the characteristic ultrasonic features were as follows(1) There were 39 cases (70.9%, 39/55) co-occur with three VACTERL malformations, the more common malformations were limb anomalies (33/39), cardiac malformations (31/39) and renal anomalies (21/39). (2) There were 13 cases (23.6%, 13/55) co-occur with four VACTERL malformations, the more common malformations were cardiac malformations (11/13), limb anomalies(10/13), renal anomalies (9/13) and tracheoesophageal ifstula/esophageal (8/13). (3) There were 3 cases (5.5%, 3/55) co-occur with ifve VACTERL malformations, they were all with anal atresia, cardiac malformations, renal anomalies and limb anomalies (3/3), and two were co-occur with vertebral defects (2/3). (4) No fetus co-occur with six VACTERL malformations. There were 29 cases (52.7%, 29/55) co-occur with other malformations, of which 21 cases (38.2%, 21/55) with single umbilical artery. All the 55 cases underwent labor induction. The results of postmortem appearance of 55 cases and autopsies of 9 cases were all consistent with prenatal ultrasound scan. Conclusions Fetuses with VACTERL association had characteristic prenatal ultrasound imaging, multiple malformations can be found and limb anomalies, cardiac malformations and renal anomalies are more common. Scanning the fetal structures from higher incidence to lower incidence of VACTERL association can be helpful to improve the diagnostic coincidence rate of VACTERL association. Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of VACTERL association can provide guidance for clinical obstetrical management.