Clinical outcome of prenatally diagnosed isolated fetal ventriculomegaly: retrospective analysis of 175 cases

Jung, Eui; Oh, Jee Young; Kim, Sun Kwon; Shim, Jae Yoon; Won, Hye Sung; Lee, Pil Ryang; Kim, Ahm

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study is to evaluate the natural course, postnatal outcome, and association between the degree of ventriculomegaly and neurodevelopmental delay in isolated fetal ventriculomegaly.
METHODS
We reviewed the medical records of pregnant women diagnosed with isolated fetal ventriculomegaly from October 1996 to June 2004. We defined mild ventriculomegaly as atrial width of 10-14.9 mm and overt ventriculomegaly as 15 mm or more. Neonatal brain ultrasonography was performed in all cases and brain MRI was performed as necessary. Neurodevelopmental outcome was evaluated by medical records and telephone interviews. We analyzed the final outcome of isolated fetal ventriculomegaly according to the ventricular width.
RESULTS
There were 175 cases of isolated fetal ventriculomegaly, with a large proportion of male fetuses (68.6%), and one case of trisomy 21. While the group with prenatally resolved ventriculomegaly (n=119) had a smaller ventricular width and more unilaterality, there was no resolution in cases with a ventricular width of 15 mm or more. One hundred and thirty one fetuses with an initial ventricular width of 10 to 11.9 mm had no developmental delay, however, there were 2 cases of cerebral palsy and 2 cases of genetic disorder. Seventeen fetuses had ventricular dilatation of 15 mm or more, with 6 corresponding cases of developmental delay and one case of cerebral palsy.
CONCLUSION
Among isolated fetal ventriculomegaly, mild, unilateral or stable ventriculomegaly seems to have a favorable neurological outcome, especially those cases with ventricular width of less than 12 mm. However, management of the condition and counseling of parents are still crucial, because it can be a marker of genetic disorder or brain developmental delay.