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Murine Fetal Echocardiography
Published on: February 15, 2013
Early pregnancy ultrasound as a tool for detecting fetal structural abnormalities: insights from a retrospective
Georges Yared1, Jihad Al Hassan2, Charlotte El Hajjar1
1Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon.
Insights
First-trimester ultrasound effectively detects fetal anomalies, improving pregnancy outcomes. Early folic acid intake significantly reduces malformation risk, highlighting its importance in prenatal care.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Fetal Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Congenital anomalies are a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality globally.
- Current guidelines recommend second-trimester ultrasound for anomaly screening.
- Emerging evidence suggests first-trimester ultrasound can identify significant structural abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of first-trimester ultrasound in detecting fetal anomalies.
- To assess the impact of early anomaly detection on pregnancy outcomes.
- To investigate the role of folic acid supplementation in preventing malformations.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 159 pregnancies at a private antenatal clinic.
- Analysis of first-trimester ultrasound findings correlated with pregnancy outcomes.
- Statistical analysis including chi-square, Fisher's exact, and t-tests.
Main Results:
- Fetal anomalies were detected in 19.5% of pregnancies.
- Central nervous system and cardiac anomalies were most common.
- Pre-conception folic acid use was associated with a significantly lower risk of malformations.
Conclusions:
- First-trimester ultrasound is a valuable tool for early fetal anomaly detection and management.
- Pre-conception folic acid supplementation demonstrates a protective effect against malformations.
- Further multicenter studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
Background:
On a global level, congenital anomalies remain a major cause of childhood illness and mortality. While international guidelines emphasize second-trimester ultrasound for anomaly screening, there is growing evidence that important structural abnormalities can already be identified in the first trimester. This study examined the value of early ultrasound in detecting fetal anomalies and its effect on pregnancy outcomes.
Methods:
We carried out a retrospective review of 159 pregnancies seen at a private antenatal clinic in Beirut. Maternal demographics, obstetric history, and neonatal outcomes were recorded. All women underwent a first-trimester ultrasound scan, and findings were analyzed alongside pregnancy outcomes. Statistical tests included chi-square, Fisher's exact, and t-tests.
Results:
Congenital anomalies were detected in 31 pregnancies (19.5%), with a birth prevalence of 14.2% (20/141 live births). They most commonly involved the central nervous system (CNS) and the heart. Among affected cases, 61% ended in prenatal or early neonatal death. Women who took folic acid before conception had a significantly lower risk of malformations compared with those who started supplementation later.
Conclusion:
First-trimester ultrasound is a valuable tool for the early recognition of fetal anomalies and can inform timely management. Pre-conception folic shows a protective association. Larger, multicenter studies are needed to validate these findings.
Data Collection:
The dataset used in this study was owned by the private antenatal referral clinic where the patients received routine clinical care. Permission to access and use the anonymized was obtained in the clinic. Moreover, data were extracted in accordance with institutional policies and patient consent.
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