title: Detailed fetal anatomy assessment in the first trimester at 11, 12 and 13 weeks of gestation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present observational study was to evaluate the feasibility of a morphological scan and determine the detection rate of fetal organs, structures and systems in the first trimester of pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  977 single pregnant women attending our Fetal Medicine Section to undergo first trimester screening for aneuploidies were enrolled and divided into three groups depending on gestational age and crown-rump-length measurement. Scans targeted on a total of 26 fetal anatomical structures were performed by a single operator.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall detection rate was 96% at 11 weeks and reached 100% at 12 and 13 weeks, with a significant statistical difference between 11 and 12/13 weeks for the majority of the investigated fetal anatomical structures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Evaluation of most part of the fetal anatomical structures is feasible with high accuracy in the first trimester. Visualization of the majority of the targeted fetal organs improves from 11 to 13 weeks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Medicine and Child Development, Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics P. Fioretti, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. c.luchi@unipi.it
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Luchi
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schifano
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sacchini
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nanini
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sceusa
authors.forename: Patrizio
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Capriello
authors.forename: Andrea R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Genazzani
mesh_terms: D000782:Aneuploidy; D018568:Crown-Rump Length; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D057238:Growth Charts; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000502:physiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal