title: Perinatal characteristics of fetuses with borderline ventriculomegaly detected by routine ultrasonographic screening of low-risk populations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fetal borderline ventriculomegaly represents a frequent dilemma in perinatal management. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of fetal borderline ventriculomegaly in a low-risk Japanese population and to identify the risk factors for associated anomalies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data of cases of fetal borderline ventriculomegaly detected at 26-28 weeks of gestation by routine ultrasonographic screening of low-risk singleton pregnancies between 2006 and 2012 were retrospectively collected. Ventricular width, in utero progression, associated anomalies, chromosomal abnormalities, and perinatal and postnatal outcomes were assessed. The ventricular width, in utero progression and other perinatal characteristics were compared between the isolated and non-isolated groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the total 6020 singleton low-risk pregnancies, we noted that 42 had borderline ventriculomegaly. Six (14%) of these cases had other defects by subsequent detailed examination. Ventriculomegaly resolved or regressed in 35 (83%) and progressed in four (10%) cases, of which three were associated with other anomalies. The median ventricular width was 12.8 mm (range, 10.0-14.7) in the six non-isolated cases and 10.5 mm (range, 10.0-13.3) in the 36 isolated cases; the differences were statistically significant. A ventricular width of 12 mm or more and in utero progression were more frequently observed in non-isolated cases than in isolated cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fetal borderline ventriculomegaly frequently resolves in utero. A ventricular diameter of more than 12 mm and in utero progression are risk factors for additional anomalies. After the initial diagnosis of borderline ventriculomegaly, the pregnancy should be carefully followed up to determine whether the ventricle size is resolved, remains stable or increases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Osaka Medical Center and Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Izumi, Japan.
authors.forename: Nobuhiro
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hidaka
authors.forename: Keisuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ishii
authors.forename: Ryoko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kanazawa
authors.forename: Akiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miyagi
authors.forename: Akemi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Irie
authors.forename: Shusaku
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: Nobuaki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mitsuda
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology* / Q000453:epidemiology; D000328:Adult; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: associated anomalies; borderline ventriculomegaly; ultrasonographic screening; ventricular width