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Updated: May 6, 2026

A Novel Use of Three-dimensional High-frequency Ultrasonography for Early Pregnancy Characterization in the Mouse
Published on: October 24, 2017
Should the first trimester ultrasound include anatomy survey?
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA; Center for Fetal Medicine and Women's Ultrasound, Los Angeles, CA.
Abstract:
First trimester scanning has become routine since the introduction of nuchal translucency screening. While most scans have included dating and gross anatomical structures, recent reports have shown that with improvement of ultrasound technology, especially high-frequency transvaginal transducers, detailed analysis of the early fetal anatomy is now possible. Studies included in this manuscript demonstrate the ability to now being able to identify many fetal malformations including some very subtle ones. The literature presented has carefully conducted many prospective studies presenting timelines that show optimal periods to review the anatomical structures by a given gestational age especially noting when these anatomical structures are not optimally seen.
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