title: Prenatal diagnosis of the VACTERL association using routine ultrasound examination.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prognosis and early neonatal management of the VACTERL association depend mainly on the severity of malformations ascertained prenatally.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here we reviewed the spectrum of clinical features observed in cases of VACTERL association ascertained prenatally through ultrasound examination but examined at birth and compared them with cases ascertained postnatally.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 1995 to 2011, a total of 19 cases of VACTERL association were observed in our center; 10 were ascertained prenatally and confirmed after birth whereas 9 were ascertained only after birth. The types and frequencies of malformations observed prenatally were as follows: renal malformations (45%), tracheoesophageal fistula (44%), cardiac malformations (20%), vertebral (13%), and limb (11%) defects. Anal atresia was never detected using routine prenatal ultrasound examination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further studies of fetuses with the VACTERL association are necessary to better delineate the malformations spectrum observed prenatally to improve the early recognition of the VACTERL association.
authors.affiliation: Service de Santé Publique, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France.|EA 4681, PEPRADE, Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Debost-Legrand
authors.affiliation: Service de Cytogénétique Médicale; CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Carole
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Goumy
authors.affiliation: EA 4681, PEPRADE, Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.|Pôle Gynéco-Obstétrique-Reproduction Humaine, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Laurichesse-Delmas
authors.affiliation: Anatomie Pathologique, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Déchelotte
authors.affiliation: EA 4681, PEPRADE, Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.|CEMC-Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.|Génétique Médicale, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Perthus
authors.affiliation: Génétique Médicale, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Francannet
authors.affiliation: EA 4681, PEPRADE, Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.|Pôle Gynéco-Obstétrique-Reproduction Humaine, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lémery
authors.affiliation: Pôle Gynéco-Obstétrique-Reproduction Humaine, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France.|R2D2-EA7281, Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gallot
mesh_terms: D001003:Anal Canal / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004947:Esophagus / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007668:Kidney / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017880:Limb Deformities, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013131:Spine / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014132:Trachea / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: VACTERL; fetus; malformations spectrum; routine ultrasound examination; ultrasound pattern