Detection of cleft lip by early second-trimester transvaginal sonography.
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.
Bronshtein
M
M
Al-Kol Institute, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.
Blumenfeld
I
I
Kohn
J
J
Blumenfeld
Z
Z
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