Prenatal Phenotype of Down Syndrome Using 3-D Virtual Reality

Down syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality characterized by an additional acrocentric chromosome, resulting in an aneuploid number of 47 chromosomes (trisomy 21). Fetal face phenotype of Down syndrome is typical in the second trimester and characterized by plane face and a big and protruding tongue.

We present a case of Down syndrome at 29 weeks of gestation in which the fetal face was created using 3-D virtual reality model from 3-D ultrasound scan data.

A 3-D virtual model from 3-D ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging scan data allowed an immersive real environment, improving the understanding of fetal congenital anomalies by the parents and the medical team.