title: Fetal congenital anomalies diagnosed by ultrasound in Asian and non-Asian women.
abstract: The incidence of congenital heart defects in Asian children is significantly higher than in non-Asian, however little data are available for other anomalies. The Fetal Management Unit at St Mary's Hospital is a tertiary referral centre for prenatal diagnosis in the north-west region. Using data collected after routine prenatal ultrasonography between 1996-2001, we show that in a defined population there was a significant reduction in the incidence of central nervous system (CNS) anomalies over this period but not in other anomalies. Furthermore, fetal congenital anomalies were diagnosed in a higher proportion of Asian than non-Asian women, with CNS, cardiac, bowel, thoracic and facial anomalies and hydrops being statistically significant. Monitoring local trends in a multiethnic community is essential for appropriate counselling, providing parents with an informed choice and in assessing the effectiveness of interventions.
authors.affiliation: Maternal and Fetal Health Research Group, Clinical and Laboratory Sciences, University of Manchester, UK. diane.e.atkinson@manchester.ac.uk
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Atkinson
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Amin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: D'Souza
mesh_terms: D001208:Asia / Q000208:ethnology; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000002:abnormalities; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005145:Face / Q000002:abnormalities; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015160:Hydrops Fetalis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D007422:Intestines / Q000002:abnormalities; D017880:Limb Deformities, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D013909:Thorax / Q000002:abnormalities; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D006113:United Kingdom