The importance of high resolution transvaginal sonography in early screening of fetal chromosomal pathology.
BACKGROUND
Continuous technological improvement made in the field of ultrasound applied to obstetric diagnostics (see tridimensional sonography) has contributed to a better and non-invasive early diagnosis of fetal malformations.


METHODS
To evaluate the usefulness of ultrasound in detecting early chromosomal derangements, the authors carried out a high resolution transvaginal sonography (> 6.5 mHz), between the 10th and 14th week of gestational age, on 650 pregnant women at risk for congenital anomalies and afterwards they were subjected to early amniocentesis


RESULTS
Sonographic fetal anomalies were seen in 61 cases (9.3%). The incidence of fetal anomalies in these cases was 52.5%. Trisomies and number of sexual chromosome anomalies were seen, especially, in the cases of cystic septated hygroma and fetal nuchal translucency > or = 3 mm which are the most frequent sonographic markers of chromosomopathies.


CONCLUSIONS
Although further studies are necessary, these findings suggest the usefulness of high resolution transvaginal sonography for the early screening of chromosomopathies.
Felicetti
M
M
Obstetrics, Gynacology & Neonatal Department, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, II University of Naples, Italy.
Domenico
A D
AD
Salzano
P
P
Borrelli
P
P
Laboccetta
A
A
Borrelli
A L
AL
D000328:Adult; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D025063:Chromosome Disorders; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal