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[Early diagnosis of embryo-fetal malformations by transvaginal echography in a high-risk population]
1Istituto di Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma.
Background:
High resolution transvaginal sonography permits, in respect of traditional transabdominal scan, an earlier diagnosis of some fetal anomalies and malformations.
Methods:
In our prospective study, between 11th to 16th weeks gestation, 820 pregnant patients at high risk for chromosomopathies and for fetal malformations were scanned in order to obtain a detailed survey of embryofetal structures and organs and an earlier diagnosis of fetal malformations.
Results:
Thirty-two fetal anomalies and malformations (3.9%) were detected, and in 4 cases (0.49%) the diagnosis was obtained later in pregnancy. Fetuses with structural malformations were scanned during pregnancy and, if possible, postnatally. We reconsidered the pitfalls in relation to the time of transvaginal scan and the fetal pathology.
Conclusions:
En early prenatal diagnosis of fetal anomalies by transvaginal sonography is related to the knowledge of normal embryofetal development and the pathogenesis of malformations.