Ultrasonographic parameters in the prenatal diagnosis of Meckel syndrome.
The ability to make a prenatal diagnosis of Meckel syndrome (encephalocele, polydactyly, and polycystic kidney) by ultrasound is described. Three cases are detailed; in 2 of these the diagnosis was made at 18 and 36 weeks' gestation, respectively. In case 1 Meckel syndrome was identified by the presence of oligohydramnios, microcephaly, and enlarged cerebral ventricles. In case 2 oligohydramnios was associated with an encephalocele, bilateral renal enlargement, and a polydactyly. In case 3 the diagnosis was excluded in a fetus at risk. The usefulness of ultrasound in making this diagnosis is discussed for cases in which the amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein value is normal, inconclusive, or unobtainable.
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid; D004677:Encephalocele / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005532:Foot Deformities, Congenital; D006228:Hand Deformities, Congenital; D006801:Humans; D008831:Microcephaly / Q000175:diagnosis; D007690:Polycystic Kidney Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D013577:Syndrome; D014463:Ultrasonography