3 landmarks must be done for fetal malformation ultrasound to make the baby healthy and secure

Every fetus is at risk for birth defects and ultrasound is the earliest detection method. From there, the doctors will promptly intervene to keep the mother healthy and secure. So what is the best time for fetal anomaly ultrasound?

Before learning about fetal malformations ultrasound milestones, mothers need to clarify what fetal defects are!

Do you know what a fetal malformation is?

The fetus will have bumps that usually appear immediately during the development of the fetus called a fetal malformation. It could be a chromosomal, morphological or organ abnormality. According to statistics, the rate of fetuses with malformations in Vietnam accounts for about 3%. Thus, 1 out of 33 babies born with birth defects.

The rate of fetuses with birth defects in Vietnam accounts for 3%

Any fetus can have a malformation, but the risk is higher if the mother has factors such as:

The older the mother, the higher the risk of fetal malformations, starting over age 35.

Mothers with a history of fetal malformations often experience too many miscarriages.

Family history of someone with a disability.

Mother is infected with virus in the first 3 months without being vaccinated such as Rubella, Herpes, Cytomegalovirus… Or being exposed to toxic chemicals, radiation.

Mother smokes or suffers from diabetes.

What role does ultrasound play in diagnosing fetal malformations?

More than 90% of fetal defects are not clinically manifest. So ultrasound is the safest, most effective, convenient and cost-effective method of detecting fetal malformations today. Ultrasound combined with some ideal conditions has early detection of fetal defects accurately up to 85% to 90%.

In addition, the diagnosis of fetal malformations also depends on equipment, machinery, and the qualifications of ultrasound analysis doctors.

Ultrasound is the most preeminent method of diagnosis of fetal malformations

Maternal fetal malformation ultrasound milestones must know

During pregnancy, mothers have to do an ultrasound pretty many times to monitor fetal development and detect abnormalities. In particular, the fetal malformation ultrasound milestones that the mother cannot ignore include 3 points of time.

From week 11 to week 14

Mother ultrasound at this time can clearly know the basic information of the fetus such as position, number of fetuses, gestational age, due date, buttocks length ...

This is also a golden time for doctors to detect defects such as Down syndrome, Edward syndrome if any. In addition, ultrasound in this period also helps detect some defects such as:

Neurological defects: No anterior cerebral division, intracranial pregnancy, cessation of vertebrae.

Abnormalities in the jaw, eyes, and lips: There is cleft palate, cleft lip, etc.

Some heart and thoracic malformations such as arterial base island, fallot quadriplegic, left ventricular dysplasia, thoracic herniations.

Abdominal defects such as umbilical hernia.

Defects in the limbs or bones such as osteoporosis, bone dysplasia, bone imperfections, defects in the number of limbs ...

Ultrasound for the first 3 months helps to detect Down syndrome if present

Ultrasound of fetal defects at weeks 18 to 23

At this time, the fetus has basically developed all parts of the body. The amount of amniotic fluid is also increased, so the fetal morphology is clearly observed. A standard ultrasound time to review the entire fetus.

The doctor will detect morphological abnormalities and confirm any previously suspected abnormalities.

Ultrasound between 18-23 weeks can detect some defects such as:

Neurological abnormalities such as neural tube, no brain, ventricular dilatation, cerebral spinal cord, baby brain ...

Facial abnormalities such as re-checking for abnormalities at the first abnormality scan.

Cardiovascular problems such as atrioventricular clearance, heart valve dysplasia, fallot quadriplegic, Ebteins disease and heart rhythm disturbances ...

Abnormalities in bones and limbs such as multifinger or twisted limbs ...

Kidney and urinary abnormalities such as: Kidney deficiency, polycystic body, bladder abnormality.

A 23-week ultrasound scan can help detect defects in most parts of the fetus

Ultrasound of the fetus from 30 weeks to 32 weeks

This stage of ultrasound is mainly to evaluate fetal development , fetal position, amount of amniotic fluid, umbilical cord, uterine growth and other abnormalities (if any). Fetal abnormalities will be more pronounced during this stage such as fetal malnutrition, some genitourinary abnormalities, heart valve and brain abnormalities.

The fetal malformation ultrasound milestones are extremely important and essential. Not only early diagnosis of fetal malformations for timely intervention. But there are cases where the pregnancy process must be suspended.

See more: 

Important fetal ultrasound milestones to remember

Do not be subjective - 5 fetal defects to ultrasound must also "give up"

4D 22-week ultrasound - Golden time to help diagnose fetal malformations