Diagnosis and management of fetal facial clefts

Fetal facial clefts were identified sonographically in 12 cases, 10 (83%) of which had other structural anomalies. When a facial cleft is diagnosed prenatally a careful search of the fetus for associated anomalies is indicated. With the finding of an autosomal trisomy in four of the 10 cases (40%) with associated anomalies, cytogenetic amniocentesis is desirable to aid in diagnosis and subsequent obstetric management of these patients.