The importance of an antenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of correctable fetal malformations.

This study describes the importance of an early echographic examination during pregnancy for the antenatal diagnosis of fetal anomalies potentially correctable after birth. During a period of 18 months there were 28 cases. In seven fetuses a gastrointestinal malformation was diagnosed between 20 and 36 weeks of gestation; there were 16 cases of urogenital anomalies detected between 19 and 38 weeks of gestation, and five other various malformations were detected between 17 and 33 weeks of gestation (two diaphragmatic hernias, one congenital heart malformation, and two cases of benign tumors). This study suggests that ultrasonic antenatal diagnosis could result in a decrease in the morbidity of congenital malformations that are correctable if the delivery is carried out in a high-risk perinatal center.