The value of sonography in early pregnancy for the detection of fetal abnormalities in an unselected population.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the value of early pregnancy sonography in detecting fetal abnormalities in an unselected obstetric population. DESIGN Prospective cross-sectional study. All women initially underwent transabdominal sonography and when the anatomical survey was considered to be incomplete, transvaginal sonography was also performed (20.1%). Nuchal translucency was measured and karyotyping was performed as appropriate.


METHODS
University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.


METHODS
6634 sequential unselected women (mean maternal age 29.9 years, range 13-50; mean gestational age 12+4 weeks, range 11+0-14+6), carrying 6443 live fetuses participated in this study.


METHODS
Detection rate of fetal anomalies and the associated cost per case detected in early pregnancy.


RESULTS
The incidence of anomalous fetuses was 1.4% (92/6443) including 43 chromosomal abnormalities. The detection rate for structural abnormalities was 59.0% (37/63, 95% CI 46.5-72.4) and the specificity was 99.9% in early pregnancy. When the first and second trimester scans were combined, the detection for structural abnormalities was 81.0% (51/63, 95% CI 67.7-89.2). Seventy-eight percent (31/40) of chromosomal abnormalities (excluding three cases of XXY) were diagnosed at 11-14 weeks, either because of a nuchal translucency greater than or equal to the 99th centile for gestational age (43%; 17/40, 95% CI 27.4-60.4), or due to the presence of structural abnormalities (35%; 14/40, 95% CI 21.2-52.8). Sixty-five percent (15/23) of cases of trisomy 21 were also diagnosed either because of having a nuchal translucency greater than or equal to the 99th centile (57.0%; 13/23) or due to the presence of a structural abnormality (9.0%; 2/23). Overall, the detection rate of structurally abnormal fetuses was 59% (37/63) in early pregnancy and 81% in combination with the second trimester scan. The cost per abnormality diagnosed in early pregnancy is estimated to be pound sterling 6258 per structurally abnormal fetus, pound sterling 7470 per chromosomal abnormality and pound sterling 4453 per anomalous fetus.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of fetal structural and chromosomal abnormalities can be detected by sonographic screening at 11-14 weeks, but the second trimester scan should not be abandoned.
Whitlow
B J
BJ
Department of Fetal Medicine, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK.
Chatzipapas
I K
IK
Lazanakis
M L
ML
Kadir
R A
RA
Economides
D L
DL
D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000002:abnormalities*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*