Chapters authored
Congenital Abdominal Anomalies
Introduction: Abdominal anomalies that appear during intrauterine life are complex due to many organs that are affected. In cases, the ultrasound appearance is a cystic image with different content and the differential diagnosis is often difficult. Body—research methods: the organs affected by abdominal congenital anomalies involve the gastrointestinal tract (stomach, duodenum, small bowel or colon, and gall bladder), the kidney and urinary tract, the peritoneal cavity (ascites), suprarenal glands, and tumors of the reproductive system (especially the ovaries). In order to identify the affected structures, it is mandatory to know the normal aspect of the abdominal content at different gestational ages. The diagnosis may be very difficult, but its accuracy is important, considering the need of further counseling the couple. In minor conditions, without chromosomal anomalies or associations, the outcome is usually good, and there are even possibilities of in utero treatment. In severe conditions, with poor outcome, the couple can choose to terminate the pregnancy, after counseling is provided. Conclusion: abdominal congenital anomalies are common findings in ultrasound screenings for anomalies in all the trimesters of pregnancy and their recognition is important for subsequent management.
Part of the book: Congenital Anomalies
The Antenatal Detection of Fetal Limb Anomalies
The etiology of fetal limb abnormalities is very complex, involving different risk factors: chromosomal abnormalities, gene disorders, intrauterine factors, maternal diseases, or exposure to different risk factors. The prevalence of fetal limb anomalies is reported to be approximately 6 in 10,000 live births, and the impairments of the upper limbs seem to present a higher incidence in comparison to the inferior limbs, more often are affected unilaterally and on the right side in comparison to the left side, some being isolate or may associate other anomalies, as a part of an underlying syndrome. According to the current guidelines, the assessment of the fetal limbs should be performed in the late first and early second trimester. Three-dimensional ultrasound provides a better understanding of the fetal anomaly for the parents and helps a better counseling, and it is used to confirm the anomalies detected by the conventional ultrasound. In cases of treatable anomalies, a multidisciplinary approach involving an obstetrician, geneticist, neonatologist, pediatrician, and pediatric orthopedic surgeon is essential to improve the postnatal outcome. Ultrasound examination and genetic counseling for the parents has an important benefit since some conditions present a genetic inheritance, and the recurrence rate in further pregnancies is very high.
Part of the book: Congenital Anomalies