Prenatal ultrasonographic findings may be useful in predicting the prognosis of trisomy 18.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to determine whether specific ultrasonographic findings in the prenatal period were associated with survival of children affected with trisomy 18.


METHODS
Between October 1987 and July 2004, we collected 24 cases with trisomy 18. We investigated the relationship of prenatal ultrasonographic findings, gestational age at delivery, the Apgar score, the mode of delivery, and the neonatal treatment strategies, with survival time.


RESULTS
17 of the 24 neonates died within 1 month after birth (Group 1), 5 died within 12 months (Group 2), and 2 survived for more than 1 year (Group 3). Severe polyhydramnios was more frequent in group 1. In groups 2 and 3, the fluid in fetal stomach was visible in all cases. Severe cardiac anomalies were more frequent in group 1. In groups 2 and 3, all neonates were girl.


CONCLUSIONS
Prenatal ultrasonographic findings associated with survival less than 1 month included severe polyhydramnios, absence of the fluid in the stomach, severe cardiac anomaly and male sex.
Tanigawa
Terumi
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, Nagasaki, Japan. t-terumi@net.nagasaki-u.ac.jp
Nakayama
Daisuke
D
Miura
Kiyonori
K
Miura
Shoko
S
Shimada
Takako
T
Masuzaki
Hideaki
H
D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D002887:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality; D005328:Fetal Viability; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014314:Trisomy / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal