The accuracy of ultrasound in the diagnosis of congenital abnormalities.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the accuracy of ultrasound in the diagnosis of congenital abnormalities at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.


METHODS
The data of congenital abnormalities was obtained from the obstetrical database and medical records of all cases complicated by congenital abnormalities, delivering from January 2001 to December 2003 and was reviewed. Antenatal ultrasounds had been performed by operators with different level of experience. In addition this data was retrieved from the termination and Congenital anomaly register. A structured data collection form was used to collect information of different variables of interest.


RESULTS
Congenital abnormalities, complicated 2.8% (n=170), of all deliveries, including all cases of termination of pregnancy, stillbirth and live births. Out of the total, 11.6% occurred in women above the age of 35 years. Consanguinity was found in 18.2% cases. Prenatal diagnosis was made in just under half of the cases (48.8%). Central nervous system and renal abnormalities were commonly diagnosed. However, facial defects, heart defects or skeletal defects were more commonly missed.


CONCLUSIONS
Antenatal ultrasound successfully diagnosed foetal abnormalities in 48.8% of cases, and more than 90% Central Nervous system defects and renal abnormalities. In contrast about a quarter of Cardiac defects and none of the facial defects were detected. Based on these findings we recommend that the Sonologist should incorporate four chamber view of the heart and also look at the face carefully.
Munim
Shama
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
Nadeem
Salva
S
Khuwaja
Nadya Ali
NA
D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000002:abnormalities*; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007668:Kidney / Q000002:abnormalities*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal