[The reliability of prenatal echographic studies of neural tube defects; a prospective study].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the accuracy of antenatal ultrasound investigation in the detection of neural tube defects.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
University Hospital Utrecht.


METHODS
Specific ultrasound investigation was carried out in 739 patients at risk for carrying a fetus with a neural tube defect.


RESULTS
The sensitivity of ultrasound investigation was 91.7%, the specificity 99.8%, the positive predictive value 84.6% and the negative predictive value 99.9%.


CONCLUSIONS
In our view expert ultrasonographic examination with appropriate counselling is an acceptable alternative for patients with a moderately increased risk of having a foetus with NTD and sufficiently accurate to replace invasive diagnostic procedures.
Korenromp
M J
MJ
Academisch Ziekenhuis, afd. Verloskunde, Utrecht.
Kriek
R
R
van den Born-van den Broek
H
H
Stoutenbeek
P
P
Bruinse
H W
HW
D000465:Algorithms; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis
D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins