Prenatal diagnosis of fetal anomalies in a regional tertiary center: the role of a maternal fetal medicine unit--a review of 6,877 deliveries.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the accuracy of anomalies detection and to evaluate the role of maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists.


METHODS
This was a retrospective study of birth defects. Patients were divided into: 1) if ultrasound was reviewed by MFM specialists; 2) Others, if reviewed by other ultrasonologists. Fisher's exact test or Pearson's chi2 test were used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
Birth defects occurred in 204/6,877 (3%) neonates with 291 distinct birth defects. Prenatal diagnosis was possible in 181 (62%). In 16 (5.5%) late prenatal diagnosis was possible. MFM specialists correctly diagnosed 53/62 (85%) vs. 56/132 (42%) in Others (P < 0.001). Late diagnosis was possible in 12 cases of gastrointestinal anomalies, three of hydrocephaly and one of skeletal dysplasia; five were correctly diagnosed by MFM specialists and two by Others.


CONCLUSIONS
Involvement of ultrasonologists with particular expertise in fetal scanning may improve accuracy of prenatal diagnosis. A repeat third trimester ultrasound may be useful in detecting late-evolving anomalies.
Ogunyemi
D
D
Morristown Memorial Hospital, New Jersey, USA.
Buskye
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008499:Medical Records; D009515:New Jersey / Q000453:epidemiology; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal