Prenatal consultation with the pediatric otolaryngologist

To examine the spectrum of fetal head and neck anomalies that may prompt prenatal referral and to determine the frequency of these consultations.

Case series with chart review.

The billing databases of two urban pediatric otolaryngology practices were queried for ICD-9 codes corresponding to fetal anomalies between January 2010 and December 2012. The pediatric otolaryngology practices in this study evaluate all fetal head and neck anomalies referred to their respective institutions, including craniofacial disorders.

Over a three-year period, 53 women presented for fetal otolaryngology consultation, with each practice seeing approximately one consultation every 6 weeks (every 5 weeks (JDS) and every 7 weeks (ARS)). The average maternal and gestational age at presentation were 28.7 years and 27.2 weeks, respectively. 83% of the cases (n = 44) involved some form of cleft lip with or without cleft palate. Other head and neck anomalies included fetal goiter/other congenital neck mass (9% (n = 5)) and micrognathia (6% (n = 3)). Macroglossia (n = 1) and facial cleft (n = 1) each accounted for 2% of cases. Cleft mothers presented earlier in pregnancy (average 26.8 weeks) than those with a neck mass (average 32.3 weeks) (p < 0.05). Only 3 cases (6%) merited ex utero intrapartum treatment.

Depending on the referral practices at a given medical center, craniofacial surgeons rather than pediatric otolaryngologists may be evaluating the majority of fetal head and neck anomalies, as orofacial clefts account for most prenatal consultations. The wide spectrum of congenital neck masses may or may not demand monitoring of the airway during the peripartum period.