[Fetal and neonatal congenital malformations and premature delivery at a tertiary center]

At the Dept for Diagnosis and Prophylaxis of Congenital Malformations at the Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital in Lódź, in 1994-2001 genetic sonogram + fetal echocardiography have been performed in 1861 women with fetal malformations. In majority there were CNS malformations 25% and congenital heart defects 23%; other malformations consisted of 52%. In 1999-2001 in 407 cases follow-up was available (100%). In 10.8% there was an intrauterine demise, in 40% there were spontaneous deliveries, in 49.2% cesarean sections were performed. In a group of vaginal deliveries (40%), there was 16.2% of premature deliveries < 37 wks and in 23.8% the deliveries were at term (> 37 wks). In a group of CS (49.2%) there were premature babies (< 37 wks) in 21.0% and term neonates (> 37 wks) in 28.2%. There were 37.2% preterm neonates (< 37 wks) with prenatal diagnoses of congenital malformations. In this group there was 64% of neonatal deaths. In group of term neonates with prenatal diagnoses of congenital malformations during the same time there was 38% of deaths.

1. Fetal/neonatal malformations in current perinatology is a problem of increasing significance for the society. 2. There is a possibility of an early detection of congenital malformations in obstetrical screening and proper final diagnoses at the tertiary center 3.37% of preterm neonates at the tertiary center among population with congenital malformations and 64% of mortality in this group--create and important clue for further investigation of this subject.