[Socio demographic characterization and perinatal outcome of pregnancies with ultrasonographic diagnosis of major fetal malformation in a referral centre].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to describe the socio demographic profile and perinatal outcome of pregnant women with prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of major fetal malformation at the Hospital das Clínicas, Medical School, São Paulo University. The study was performed from December 15th 2005 to December 15th 2006.


METHODS
This is an observational descriptive study where 335 pregnant women were interviewed after agreement. Postnatal information was obtained until a month after due date of birth. Cases that were not confirmed and did not consent to participate in the study were excluded.


RESULTS
Mean maternal age was 27.1 years and skin color was brown in 48.1% of cases. According to the education level and salary, 57.8% did not finish college and the mean monthly income was 3.1 minimal wages. A previous history of fetal malformation was reported by 10.4% of women. The central nervous system was the most frequent site of malformation (28.1%), followed by renal (9.3%) and cardiac (9%) defects. Fetal karyotype results were abnormal in 23.6% of fetuses. Pregnancy outcome was ascertained in 311 cases (92.8%): 76.8% were alive, 25.7% were neonatal deaths, 16.4% were stillborn and 6.3% miscarried.


CONCLUSIONS
This study describes social demographic features and perinatal outcome in pregnancies with major fetal malformation diagnosed antenatally. This information is useful for parent counseling in cases with an abnormal fetal diagnosis.
Ramos
Juliana Limeira de Araújo Moura
JL
Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. juliana_limeira@yahoo.com
Carvalho
Mário Henrique B de
MH
Zugaib
Marcelo
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000002:abnormalities*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D055815:Young Adult