title: Detection of cleft lip by early second-trimester transvaginal sonography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the detection of cleft lip in the early second trimester using transvaginal sonography.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed retrospectively 14,988 ultrasound examinations conducted for fetal malformations between 12-16 weeks' gestation. Seventy-five percent of the patients were at low risk for fetal anomalies and 25% were at high risk.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven cases of fetal cleft lip with or without cleft palate were detected by transvaginal sonography among 14,988 fetuses (0.07%). In nine cases, no risk factors for cleft lip or palate existed. In six cases, the cleft lip represented an isolated malformation, with no other associated anomaly; in five of these six cases, the pregnancy was terminated. One additional case of a small cleft lip was not detected, for a false-negative rate of 8%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The fetal lips can be scanned by transvaginal sonography in the early second trimester, and fetal cleft lip can be detected in most cases. Early second-trimester detection of cleft lip by transvaginal sonography allows informed parental choice regarding continuing or terminating the affected pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Al-Kol Institute, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bronshtein
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Blumenfeld
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kohn
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Blumenfeld
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D000032:Abortion, Therapeutic; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007258:Informed Consent; D007621:Karyotyping; D010290:Parents; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014621:Vagina