Diagnosis and Prognosis of Fetal Malformation by Ultrasonic Tomography

Abstract

The incidence of fetal malformation was reviewed and an assessment made of the diagnostics of ultrasound. The prognosis of the related cases, as related to the clinical application of ultrasound was discussed. Forty-seven of 56 malformed fetuses were correctly diagnosed antenatally (84%). Diagnostic accuracy in the case of real-time B scan was 91%, while accuracy in the case of contact compound scan was 73%. The disorders most readily identifiable were those related to the image of cystic patterns and/or deformed body contour. Among the 47 with positive findings, an actual plan of treatment was prepared for 9. Of these 9, 6 could actually be treated and the lives of 3 were saved. Deaths were attributed to diagnostic inadequacy, eventual complications and under-development of organs associated with the malformations.