Frequency Of Fetal Central Nervous System Anomalies Detected on Ultrasonography

Abstract

The most serious congenital abnormalities are those involving the central nervous system (CNS). Ultrasound (US) examination is a safe and noninvasive method for detecting these anomalies during pregnancy. Objective: To find out the frequency of the fetal central nervous system anomalies detected on ultrasonography. Methods: It was a cross sectional study conducted on 385 pregnant women using Convenient Sampling Technique. The patients were referred by obstetricians/gynecologists for routine obstetrical scan. Data was collected from two hospital settings, Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital, Sialkot and Umer Diagnostics, Sialkot. The study used a high resolution ultrasound probe with a frequency of 3.5 MHz to identify CNS anomalies in 13 embryos. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0. Results: 13 fetuses with CNS anomalies were found after 385 pregnant women underwent transabdominal sonography. Anomalies included 2(0.5%) ventriculomegaly, 3(0.8%) acrania, 2(0.5%) encephalocele, 2(0.5%) bilaterally present choroid plexus cyst, 2(0.5%) hydrocephalus, 1(0.3%) agenesis of cerebellar vermis along with mega cisterna magna. Conclusions: Acrania is most common among all CNS anomalies. Disability and bed rest are the two most serious consequences of major CNS abnormalities, early detection of these conditions is now crucial. Another significant problem is family counseling.