Red Cell Disorders Causes of Fetal Anaemia Rhesus D Alloimmunization Rhesus D (RhD) alloimmunization is the major cause of haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). Over the past 40 years, the incidence of HDFN has fallen dramatically due…
Introduction Abnormalities of the urinary tract are relatively common, accounting for approximately 20% of all fetal malformations. The exact incidence of prenatally detected urinary tract anomalies is difficult to determine and varies from centre to centre and with the timing…
Introduction Congenital anomalies of the gastrointestinal tract, (including those of the anterior abdominal wall) account for approximately 15% of congenital abnormalities detected by routine prenatal ultrasound. The prenatal detection rates from routine ‘screening ultrasound’ either in the first trimester (usually…
Introduction Abnormalities of the fetal limbs rank as the third most common after those of the cardiac and renal systems according to EUROCAT data (1980–2010). The most common limb abnormalities amenable to prenatal diagnosis are: club foot/talipes (9.5 in 10,000…
Ultrasound of the Normal and Abnormal Fetal Lungs The fetal lungs are well-visualized either in the axial planes at the level of the four-chamber view ( Figure 15-1A ), the three-vessel view ( Figure 15-1B ), the upper abdomen transition…
Introduction Cardiac abnormalities are among the most common birth defects and are the leading cause of death in children from congenital defects. They occur in about 8–11 cases per 1000 livebirths but only 3 per 1000 are major cardiac abnormalities…
Introduction The face is the focus of social interaction, and therefore facial abnormalities have a significant impact both in psychological and emotional terms. Facial abnormalities are often associated with other anomalies and may be a clue to the detection of…
Introduction Anomalies of the fetal spine, particularly spina bifida, are amongst the commonest fetal malformations detectable. Anencephaly and spina bifida are the commonest neural tube defects (NTDs), accounting for up to 95% of all NTDs, and they occur with a…
Embryology Introduction The rate of change in the appearances of the developing fetal brain is quite remarkable and ultrasound has undoubtledly opened a new window into developing embryology. However it is important to realize that normality of the brain can…
Introduction Fetal size and weight at birth are functions of genetic potential and substrate supply. Genetic factors are largely responsible for growth control in the first half of pregnancy, whereas environmental factors are more important in the second half of…