Correlation between prenatal ultrasound and fetal autopsy findings in fetal anomalies terminated in the second trimester.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
The aim of the study was to compare the consistency of major/minor fetal anomalies detected by second trimester prenatal ultrasound examination with the findings in fetal autopsies following the termination of pregnancy (TOP) in the second trimester.

DESIGN:
In a 4-year long prospective study, 107 second-trimester TOP was performed due to fetal malformation diagnosed by second trimester-ultrasound examination at a tertiary referral center. Ultrasound findings were compared with fetal autopsy findings.

RESULT:
Of the 107 cases with major fetal anomalies diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound, 49% had central nervous system anomalies, 23% had kidney and urinary tract anomalies, 11% had congenital heart disease. All of these major anomalies leading to TOP were confirmed by fetal autopsy (100% success rate in major anomalies). Overall success rate in prenatal ultrasound for major and minor anomalies was 77%. The percentage of additional minor anomalies detected in fetal autopsies was 20%. Three percent of the minor anomalies detected by prenatal ultrasonography could not be confirmed during autopsy. Chromosomal anomalies were detected in 9 (16%) out of 57 cases.

CONCLUSION:
Evaluation of fetal autopsies following TOP enables diagnosis of pathologies undetected by prenatal ultrasound alone, leading to better preconceptional counseling for subsequent pregnancies.

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Author information

Author/s: Akgun, Hulya (H); Basbug, Mustafa (M); Ozgun, Mahmut Tuncay (MT); Canoz, Ozlem (O); Tokat, Fatma (F); Murat, Nurcan (N); Ozturk, Figen (F);

Affiliation: Erciyes University Medical Faculty, Department of Pathology, Kayseri, Turkey. hulyaakgun(-atsign-)yahoo.com

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Evaluation Studies; Journal Article

Journal: Prenatal diagnosis (Prenat Diagn), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-May; vol 27 (issue 5) : pp 457-62

Dates: Created 2007/05/07; Completed 2007/06/28;

PMID: 17335106, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Abnormalities, Multiple - embryology; ultrasonography
Abortion, Eugenic
Adult
Autopsy
Female
Fetus - pathology

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