Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2002 Dec;45(12):2219-2224.

Transvaginal ultrasonographic detection of fetal abnormalities in the first trimester

• Kim YM
• Han SS
• Woo HT
• Kim MY
• Ku CH
• Lee CM
• Park GH
• Cho YG
• Choi H
• Kim BR
• Lee HG

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of transvaginal ultrasonography for detection of fetal anomalies in first trimester.
METHODS
This cohort included pregnant women between 9~14 weeks of gestation from April 2000 to April 2002 at department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sanggye Paik hospital, Inje university. Besides ACOG (1993) criteria, we scan nuchal translucency, FHR, cranium, abdominal wall and nuchal lesion using transvaginal sonography. If the anatomical survey was normal, the women underwent routine 18~24 weeks anomaly scans.
RESULTS
20 fetuses were identified as having 21 anomalies. Central nervous system anomaly (38%: 8/21) was the most frequent type of malformation. The other detected anomalies were isolated disorders of the lymphatic system 28% (6/21: two cystic hygromas and four nuchal edema), cystic hygroma associated with hydrops 14% (3/21), abdominal wall defects 14% (3/21), skeletal dysplasia 5% (1/21). Of the 20 fetuses that was diagnosed, 14 patients had elective first-trimester abortion, two had spontaneous fetal deaths, four were delivered at term.
CONCLUSION
Besides offering the possibility of early termination, first trimester sonography has the advantage of identifying a transient sonographic sign, nuchal edema, which can be used as a marker in screening for fetal chromosomal abnormalities.

Keyword

fetal anomaly; first trimester; transvaginal sonography

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Wall
Central Nervous System
Chromosome Aberrations
Cohort Studies
Edema
Female
Fetal Death
Fetus
Gynecology
Humans
Lymphangioma, Cystic
Lymphatic System
Mass Screening
Nuchal Translucency Measurement
Obstetrics
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Trimester, First*
Pregnant Women
Skull
Ultrasonography