OBJECTIVES: To assess the performance of first-trimester ultrasound (US) in identifying major fetal structural abnormalities in an unselected population. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all pregnancies that underwent the 11- to 14-week scan in the Fetal Medicine Department of Filantropia Hospital in Bucharest, which were prospectively examined within our screening program. The purpose of the first-trimester US was to evaluate the risk for chromosomal abnormalities and to conduct fetal anatomic examination using a detailed protocol. RESULTS: Our population consisted of 7480 pregnant patients (7576 fetuses). The follow-up was completed for 6045 patients (6114 fetuses). The prevalence of major structural anomalies was 1.89%. In the first trimester, we identified 79% of all major structural anomalies. The highest detection rates were achieved for abdominal wall defects (100%), major central nervous system anomalies (88%), cardiac defects (74%), and skeletal anomalies (71%). The nuchal translucency was increased in 35% of the cases with structural anomalies, and 95% of these were diagnosed in the first trimester. Seventy percent of the patients who presented with structural anomalies and a normal nuchal translucency were diagnosed in the first trimester. CONCLUSIONS: Our results emphasize the importance of performing a detailed US examination at 11 to 14 weeks' gestation in identification of fetal structural defects.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the performance of first-trimester ultrasound (US) in identifying major fetal structural abnormalities in an unselected population. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all pregnancies that underwent the 11- to 14-week scan in the Fetal Medicine Department of Filantropia Hospital in Bucharest, which were prospectively examined within our screening program. The purpose of the first-trimester US was to evaluate the risk for chromosomal abnormalities and to conduct fetal anatomic examination using a detailed protocol. RESULTS: Our population consisted of 7480 pregnant patients (7576 fetuses). The follow-up was completed for 6045 patients (6114 fetuses). The prevalence of major structural anomalies was 1.89%. In the first trimester, we identified 79% of all major structural anomalies. The highest detection rates were achieved for abdominal wall defects (100%), major central nervous system anomalies (88%), cardiac defects (74%), and skeletal anomalies (71%). The nuchal translucency was increased in 35% of the cases with structural anomalies, and 95% of these were diagnosed in the first trimester. Seventy percent of the patients who presented with structural anomalies and a normal nuchal translucency were diagnosed in the first trimester. CONCLUSIONS: Our results emphasize the importance of performing a detailed US examination at 11 to 14 weeks' gestation in identification of fetal structural defects.
Authors: Edward Andrew Springhall; Daniel Lorber Rolnik; Maya Reddy; Sujatha Ganesan; Maria Maxfield; Jayshree Ramkrishna; Simon Meagher; Mark Teoh; Fabricio da Silva Costa Journal: Australas J Ultrasound Med Date: 2018-08-22
Authors: Nicolae Gica; Anca Maria Panaitescu; Corina Gica; Andreea Dumitru; Radu Botezatu; Gheorghe Peltecu; Ana Maria Vayna Journal: Maedica (Bucur) Date: 2022-06
Authors: Nicolae Gica; Dominic Gabriel Iliescu; Corina Mat; Anca Maria Panaitescu; Gheorghe Peltecu; Alina Veduta Journal: Maedica (Buchar) Date: 2019-09
Authors: A Scutelnicu; A M Panaitescu; A M Ciobanu; N Gica; R Botezatu; G Peltecu; M L Gheorghiu Journal: Acta Endocrinol (Buchar) Date: 2020 Oct-Dec Impact factor: 0.877
Authors: Anca Maria Panaitescu; Simona Duta; Nicolae Gica; Radu Botezatu; Florina Nedelea; Gheorghe Peltecu; Alina Veduta Journal: Diagnostics (Basel) Date: 2021-01-19
Authors: Alexandra Bouariu; Ana Maria Scutelnicu; Anca Marina Ciobanu; Brîndușa Ana Cimpoca Raptis; Andreea Elena Dumitru; Florina Nedelea; Nicolae Gică; Anca Maria Panaitescu Journal: Diagnostics (Basel) Date: 2021-12-11