Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026
A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn
Published on: April 7, 2023
Positive predictive value of prenatal ultrasonography confirmed by post-mortem investigations
József Gábor Joó1, Eva Csatlós, Akos Csaba
11st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University Medical School, Hungary. joogabor@hotmail.com
Objective:
To analyse the positive predictive value of ultrasonography based on the results of post-mortem investigations in respect of the most common malformations.
Study Design:
We processed the details of 683 cases affecting the nervous, cardiovascular, urinary and skeletal systems, and the abdominal/thoracic walls.
Results:
In four of the investigated groups of malformations, the proportion of sonographic diagnoses completely coinciding with the post mortem results was found to be approximately 70%, but it was found to be much lower (32%) in urinary malformations. The cumulative proportion of coinciding sonographic and post mortem diagnoses was 63%, while completely incorrect ultrasonographic diagnoses amounted to 17%.
Conclusions:
Sonography is an essential method for the diagnosis of the majority of fetal malformations, but post-mortem examinations yield an indispensable quality control as well as additional information to ultrasound examinations.
