Short-limbed dwarfism: ultrasonographic diagnosis by mensuration of fetal femoral length.

The femoral lengths of 70 normal fetuses, five short-limbed dwarfs, and two additional normal fetuses at risk for dwarfism were measured employing linear array real-time (rapid B-scan) ultrasonographic systems. Early results indicate that prenatal diagnosis of short-limbed dwarfs can be accomplished by this technique, in some instances early enough to allow parents to consider elective abortion. The data also indicate fundamental differences in the growth pattern of certain dwarf syndromes.