Fetal breasts in normal and Down syndrome fetuses.
To assess the validity of fetal breast size measurement as a sonographic marker in fetuses with Down syndrome.


METHODS
Fetal breasts were studied in 26 fetuses with trisomy 21 and 78 fetuses with normal chromosomes. Breasts were identified and measured in a cross-sectional plane of the fetal chest at the level of the four-chamber view of the heart. Normal fetuses had a mean breast size of 3.8 mm +/- 1.1 mm. Fetuses with Down syndrome had a mean breast size of 1.9 mm +/- 0.7 mm (p < or = 0.0001). Diminished breast size measured by ultrasound in the second trimester may be helpful in identifying fetuses with Down syndrome.
Petrikovsky
B M
BM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, North Shore University Hospital, Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, New York 11030, USA.
Schneider
E P
EP
Klein
V R
VR
Wyse
L J
LJ
Lesser
M
M
D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal