产前诊断唇腭裂308例回顾性研究

目的:探讨胎儿唇腭裂与染色体异常的关系,为该疾病的临床咨询及预后评估提供依据。方法:回顾性分析我院2008年1月至2016年12月所有超声诊断为唇裂/腭裂/唇腭裂的308例孕妇的产前诊断情况,比较不同类型唇腭裂的超声表型特征及染色体异常的发生率。结果:(1)超声诊断结果显示,在308例唇腭裂胎儿中非综合征型唇腭裂258例(83.77%),综合征型唇腭裂50例(16.23%),其中单纯唇裂40例(12.99%),唇裂合并腭裂266例(86.36%),单纯腭裂2例(0.65%)。(2)同意进行产前诊断137例(44.48%),染色体异常共22例(16.06%),其中23例综合征型唇腭裂中发现染色体异常共12例(52.17%),分别为13-三体8例(66.67%),18-三体2例(16.67%),三倍体2例(16.67%);而在114例非综合征型唇腭裂中发现染色体异常10例(8.77%),分别为18-三体1例,21-三体1例,标记染色体1例,发现基因微缺失微重复等遗传综合征4例(B超检查均无任何软指标及除唇腭裂外的其他结构异常),臂间倒位等染色体多态性3例。染色体基因芯片分析(CMA)检测的染色体异常检出率为16.16%(16/99),染色体核型分析异常检出率为15.79%(6/38)。(3)随访到204例患者,186例患者选择引产,18例患者出生后进行手术干预治疗。结论:唇腭裂胎儿染色体异常发生率较高,建议对所有类型唇腭裂均进行产前诊断;CMA检测可以发现除非整倍体外的拷贝数变异,建议对唇腭裂胎儿优选基因芯片进行产前诊断。     

产前超声筛查胎儿唇裂和(或)腭裂及相关畸形

目的 评估产前超声对胎儿唇裂和(或)腭裂(简称唇腭裂)的检出率,以及合并的相关结构及染色体异常的发生情况. 方法 本研究为回顾性分析,纳入2006年1月至2010年12月在广州市妇女儿童医疗中心进行常规产前检查并分娩的单胎妊娠孕妇31 245例,于妊娠中期常规行胎儿超声筛查,发现唇腭裂的胎儿建议行染色体核型分析.所有活产新生儿及引产儿均进行口腔检查,以确诊唇腭裂,分析产前诊断的准确性. 结果 所有活产新生儿及引产儿共诊断唇腭裂48例,发生率为1.5‰(48/31 245),其中单纯唇裂占33.3％(16/48),唇裂合并腭裂占43.8％(21/48),单纯腭裂占22.9％(11/48).产前超声共发现18例单纯唇裂,其中14例与生后/引产后诊断完全相符,单纯唇裂产前超声诊断准确率为77.8％(14/18);3例分娩后发现新生儿同时合并腭裂,补充诊断为唇裂合并腭裂;1例产前超声诊断唇裂,因羊水过少引产,但引产儿无唇裂.产前超声检出18例唇裂合并腭裂,生后/引产后证实产前超声诊断均正确.2例胎儿产前超声检查正常,但新生儿检查发现单纯唇裂,均为Ⅰ度.产前超声未检出单纯腭裂,但新生儿生后诊断单纯腭裂11例.产前超声检出唇裂及唇裂合并腭裂的敏感性为86.5％(32/37),检出唇腭裂总的敏感性为66.7％(32/48),假阳性率为2.1％(1/48).产前超声诊断36例唇腭裂胎儿中10例(27.8％)合并其他结构畸形,与生后检查结果一致.产前检出18例唇裂合并腭裂胎儿中9例行染色体检查,其中 7例染色体异常.产前超声检出的36例唇腭裂胎儿中仅13例(12例单纯唇裂,1例唇裂合并腭裂)正常分娩,余23例孕妇均选择引产. 结论 产前超声筛查单纯唇裂及唇裂合并腭裂敏感性高,但难以检出单纯腭裂.单纯唇裂合并染色体异常概率低,而一旦合并腭裂,合并染色体异常及其他结构异常的风险增高.     

超声异常胎儿的染色体核型分析及单核苷酸多态性芯片检测应用分析

目的:探讨染色体核型分析和单核苷酸多态性芯片(SNP-array)检测技术在超声异常胎儿产前诊断中的临床应用。方法:收集2017年1月1日—2018年12月31日于泉州市妇幼保健院·儿童医院产前诊断中心就诊的胎儿超声异常行羊水穿刺的孕妇278例,同时行染色体核型检查及SNP-array检测。结果:278例胎儿羊水染色体核型分析中276例(99.28%)培养成功,染色体核型分析阳性检出率8.33%(23/276)。SNP-array检测阳性检出率17.03%(47/276),2种检测方法阳性检出率比较差异有统计学意义(χ2=9.424,P=0.002)。染色体核型正常的253例孕妇中,SNParray阳性检出率为11.46%(29/253),其中致病性拷贝数变异(CNVs)检出率为2.76%(7/253),临床意义不明确的拷贝数变异(VOUS)检出率为8.70%(22/253)。NT增厚、骨骼肌肉及心血管系统异常胎儿的阳性CNVs检出率最高,其次为泌尿系统畸形和单项超声软指标异常胎儿。胎儿颜面部异常、消化系统畸形、呼吸系统畸形等,均未检出致病性CNVs。结论:SNP-array检测在异常结果检出率上存在一定的优势,而染色体核型分析可以弥补SNP-array检测在染色体平衡易位、倒位检查的不足。染色体核型分析联合SNP-array检测在超声异常胎儿中具有良好的应用价值和应用空间。     

染色体微阵列分析技术在先天性心脏病胎儿中的临床应用

目的探讨染色体微阵列分析技术(CMA)检测先天性心脏病(CHD)胎儿染色体异常的临床应用价值。方法收集2016年1月至2020年3月因产前检查存在高危因素在南京医科大学附属无锡妇幼保健院产前诊断中心就诊,行超声心动图提示CHD并接受侵入性产前诊断的100例胎儿的临床资料。采用单核苷酸多态性阵列行CMA检测。100例CHD胎儿分为单纯CHD组22例,CHD合并软标记组26例,CHD合并心外畸形组52例。对胎儿CHD表型进行分类,对基因拷贝数变异(CNV)分为已知致病、疑似致病、临床意义未明、疑似良性、良性5类。结果100例CHD胎儿中,检出致病性染色体异常70例(70.0%),其中56例(56.0%)染色体数目异常,致病性CNV 14例(14.0%),临床意义未明CNV 3例(3.0%)。合并心外畸形组检出致病性染色体率明显高于单纯CHD组(82.7%vs 31.8%,P<0.05);CHD合并软指标检出致病性染色体率明显高于单纯CHD(76.9%vs 31.8%,P<0.05);CHD合并软指标与合并心外畸形比较,差异无统计学意义。CHD合并单个结构畸形与合并多个结构畸形比较,差异无统计学意义。致病性CNV检出率占前三位的是圆锥动脉干畸形(34.3%),左、右室流出道梗阻(20.8%)和间隔缺损(14.0%)。结论CMA是一种可靠、高分辨率的检测技术,可作为CHD产前诊断的一级检测手段,有助于临床医生对CHD的病因和预后进行适当的遗传咨询。     

67例妊娠晚期胎儿生长受限的遗传学因素探讨

目的探讨单核苷酸多态性微阵列芯片技术(single nucleotide polymorphism array,SNP-array)在胎儿生长受限的遗传学病因的应用价值。方法回顾性分析67例妊娠晚期因胎儿生长受限行介入性产前诊断取脐带血标本染色体核型分析与染色体微阵列芯片检测情况。采用Illumina Human Cyto SNP12微阵列芯片进行全基因组拷贝数变异(copy number variations, CNVs)检测,结合查询国际病理性CNVs数据库、正常人基因组变异数据库(database of genomic variants, DGV)及PubMed文献数据库等对检出的CNVs的致病性进行分析。结果67例胎儿脐带血染色体核型异常6例,检出率8.96%(6/67),其中1例21-三体综合征,2例18-三体综合征,1例染色体缺失,1例衍生染色体,1例染色体倒位;SNP-array检出11例异常,检出率16.42%(11/67)。11例芯片异常中有7例致病性,1例疑似致病性,其余3例为临床意义不明。结论妊娠晚期胎儿生长受限胎儿行SNP-array检测有助于发现染色体核型分析无法检出的染色体亚显微结构异常,提高其遗传病因的诊断。     

产前超声诊断单脐动脉与胎儿异常的相关性研究

目的探讨超声检测胎儿脐带血管数目预测胎儿先天异常的价值。方法2000年1月至2006年10月在中山大学附属第一医院采用超声检测胎儿脐血管数目，对单脐动脉胎儿行产前超声系统筛查及胎儿染色体检查；分析单脐动脉合并畸形类型，与染色体异常的关系及胎儿结局。结果产前超声诊断胎儿单脐动脉119例，包括左侧72例（60．5％），右侧47例（39．5％）。单纯性单脐动脉59例（49.6％）；合并其他结构畸形60例（50．4％），其中泌尿系统畸形25例（41．7％），心血管系统畸形17例（28.3％），中枢神经系统畸形15例（25.0％），下肢畸形9例（15．0％），前腹壁和消化道畸形各5例（各占8．3％），唇裂或唇腭裂畸形3例（5．0％），其他畸形3例（5．0％）。行胎儿染色体检查41例，发现染色体异常8例，包括18-三体综合征3例、13-三体综合征1例、21．三体综合征1例、染色体片段异常3例，均合并其他畸形。结论胎儿单脐动脉左侧发生率高于右侧，约50％合并其他畸形；合并畸形时，染色体异常发生率较高；大部分单纯性单脐动脉胎儿结局良好。     

胎儿半椎体畸形妊娠期管理及遗传咨询临床分析

目的:通过分析胎儿半椎体畸形病例的临床资料，为胎儿半椎体畸形的妊娠期管理、产前诊断和遗传咨询提供临床策略。方法:对胎儿超声检查发现胎儿半椎体畸形的孕妇进行系统超声筛查和磁共振(MRI)检查，并采集胎儿组织和夫妻双方外周血进行拷贝数变异检测(CNV-seq)及家系全外显子组检测(Trio-WES)。结果:胎儿系统超声筛查和胎儿MRI结果均提示胎儿半椎体、T8-S1椎体排列不整齐，CNV-seq未检出明确致病的基因组拷贝数变异(CNVs),Trio-WES检出TBX6基因c.172dup新发致病性变异，可导致常染色体显性遗传的脊柱肋骨发育不全5型(SCD5),该变异为首次报道。结论:胎儿半椎体畸形应通过胎儿系统性超声、MRI进行检查，并建议进行产前诊断明确遗传病因。相对于常规染色体核型分析和CNVs检测，WES能提高导致胎儿半椎体畸形的基因异常检出率。     

无创产前检测胎儿染色体拷贝数变异的临床价值初探

目的探讨无创产前检测(NIPT)对筛查胎儿染色体拷贝数变异(CNVs)和微缺失/微重复综合征(MDs)的临床价值。方法收集2012年1月至2017年7月在云南省第一人民医院遗传诊断中心、产前诊断中心10 005例中孕期(15～20+6周)进行NIPT的孕妇资料,对检测提示胎儿CNVs孕妇中选择介入性产前诊断者的羊水/脐血染色体G显带核型分析及高通量测序(NGS)基因组拷贝数分析,相关CNVs到相应数据库查找分析,分析NIPT所发现的CNVs与介入性产前诊断结果的一致性。结果中孕期进行NIPT的10 005例孕妇中提示胎儿CNVs 32例,筛查阳性率为0.32%(32/10 005)。知情同意接受介入性产前诊断25例,其中确诊胎儿CNVs14例,阳性预测值(PPV)为56%(14/25),包括微缺失9例、微重复5例,片段大小在587.75kb～36.05Mb之间。胎儿细胞DNA样本NGS检测到的片段大小和起止位置与NIPT筛查时所见CNVs基本吻合。在14例CNVs中确诊MDs 11例,临床意义不明CNVs 3例。对11例MDs胎儿的父母亲进行CNVs检测和外周血染色体核型分析,证实新发病CNVs 10例,其中父系染色体异常来源致病CNVs 2例;8例致病CNVs胎儿合并有染色体结构异常。经遗传咨询,这11例致病变异有10例夫妇知情选择终止妊娠;1例知情选择继续妊娠,分娩1例活产新生儿。结论 NIPT作为一种高精度筛查手段,能够筛查出部分有临床意义的胎儿CNVs,可望成为常规筛查手段,检测致病风险大的较大片段的染色体微缺失和微重复CNVs(≥5Mb);NIPT检测到胎儿CNVs高风险时需进行介入性产前诊断。     

染色体微阵列分析技术在产前致病性拷贝数变异诊断中的应用

目的:探讨染色体微阵列分析(CMA)技术在产前致病性拷贝数变异(CNV)诊断中的应用价值。方法:收集2017年3月至2020年4月在重庆市妇幼保健院行羊膜腔穿刺术且要求行CMA检测的单胎妊娠孕妇共4430例。根据羊水穿刺的临床指征分为6组:A组:单一高龄组;B组:单一唐氏筛查高风险组;C组:单一超声检查异常组;D组:单一无创产前检测(NIPT)高风险组;E组:超声检查异常合并高龄/唐氏筛查高风险/NIPT高风险两个或两个以上指征,F组:NIPT高风险合并高龄/唐氏筛查高风险/超声异常两个或两个以上指征;G组:其他组。结果:(1)4430例中CMA检测胎儿异常率11.74%,其中非整倍体异常119例(2.69%),CNVs 381例(8.60%),包含致病性拷贝数变异(pCNVs)77例。(2)不同临床指征的羊水CMA检测结果提示,单一临床指征中D组染色体异常总检出率(33.20%),CNVs检出率(19.31%),非整倍体率(10.89%),包括性染色体非整倍体率(6.93%)均显著高于其他各组(P0.05)。C组的总检出率仅次于D组。E、F组总检出率(19.76%,55.00%),包括非整倍体率(11.01%,42.50%)均显著高于C、D组(P0.05)。(3)77例pCNVs中,31例为染色体大片段缺失和(或)重复,其中8例遗传自平衡易位的父母。46例染色体微缺失/微重复综合征,包括23例染色体微缺失/微重复性pCNVs和23例神经发育障碍的易感性CNVs。结论:CMA检测是产前遗传学诊断的有效方法之一。NIPT和超声检查是筛查羊水染色体异常的有效手段,针对不同种类的胎儿pCNVs,应合理建议核型分析或家系CMA验证的方法确定pCNVs来源和致病性,再结合超声检查、胎儿CMA结果以及双亲表型,为妊娠提供合理的指导意见,并对出生后的胎儿定期做随访,为产前胎儿评估积累更多的经验。     

270例母血清学筛查高风险孕妇胎儿染色体拷贝数变异测序结果分析

目的:探讨基于高通量测序的基因组拷贝数变异测序(CNV-seq)技术在血清学筛查高风险人群产前诊断中的应用价值。方法:选取2018年1月至2021年10月介入性产前诊断病例中血清学筛查高风险孕妇共270例,分为单纯血清学筛查高风险组(A组186例)和血清学筛查高风险合并其他产前诊断指征组(B组84例),分析胎儿染色体拷贝数变异(CNVs)在血清学筛查高风险人群中的检出情况。结果:270例CNV-seq检测均成功,257例同时进行了染色体核型分析,255例培养成功。CNV-seq共检出胎儿CNVs 47例(17.4%),其中致病性基因组拷贝数变异(pCNVs)19例(7.0%)、临床意义不明的CNV(VUS)13例(4.8%)、可能良性及良性15例(5.6%)。结合染色体核型分析结果,均提示致病性异常的有11例;CNV-seq额外检出32例CNV,其中pCNVs7例、VUS 11例,良性和可能良性14例。CNV-seq漏检2例染色体平衡易位、3例染色体多态性。A组与B组相比,pCNVs检出率分别为1.6%(3/186)、19.0%(16/84),差异有统计学意义;VUS检出率分别为4.3...     

Antenatal ultrasonic findings of craniofacial malformations.

Fetal craniofacial malformations were identified sonographically in 13 cases. Holoprosencephaly and median cleft syndrome were the most frequent findings. Cleft lip, cleft palate, single nostril, cyclopia and hypotelorism were also seen. Seven of the 13 cases (54%) had polyhydramnios. Amniocentesis was performed on 12 fetuses, and 5 of them showed autosomal trisomy. Accordingly, when craniofacial malformation is recognized antenatally, a careful survey of the fetus for other associated structural anomalies and cytogenetic study are indicated to aid in diagnosis and subsequent obstetric and neonatal management. Also screening for fetal craniofacial malformation is recommended during mid-trimester ultrasound examinations.     

A fetus with trisomy 9p and trisomy 10p originating from unbalanced segregation of a maternal complex chromosome rearrangement t(4;10;9)

Complex chromosome rearrangements are only rarely seen in constitutional karyotypes. A case of prenatally detected trisomy 9p with trisomy 10p originating from adjacent segregation of a maternal complex chromosome rearrangement is reported. Ultrasound examination at 18 weeks of gestation showed cleft lip palate, club feet, structural anomalies of the cerebellum and cystic kidneys. Cytogenetic analysis of amnion cells revealed a female fetus with 47,XX,+der(9). FISH analyses together with parental karyotyping demonstrated the fetal additional chromosome to originate from malsegregation of a maternal complex chromosomal rearrangement. The mother is carrier of a balanced translocation t(4;10;9) (q12; p11;q13). Postmortem examination of the fetus showed nose anomalies, cleft lip palate, low set ears, club feet, lung anomalies, cystic kidney and aplasia of the uterus. Reporting of such rare cases is important in order to enable this information to be used for genetic counselling in similar situations.     

Chromosomal defects and associated malformations in fetal cleft lip with or without cleft palate

OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence, associated features including chromosomal defects in fetuses, with cleft lip and/or palate and assess the need for karyotyping. METHODS: Retrospective study of 62 cases of prenatally diagnosed facial cleft lip and/or palate in a tertiary fetal medicine unit between January 1991 and December 1999. Chromosome analysis was performed in all fetuses with associated ultrasound findings and in 14 (39%) fetuses with isolated facial clefts. RESULTS: Associated abnormalities were detected in 26 (42%) of the 62 fetuses of which 22 (35%) fetuses had multiple other abnormalities. Central nervous system abnormalities and limb malformations were the most common. Three fetuses had genetic syndromes confirmed after birth. All fetuses with isolated clefts were chromosomally normal, whereas 15 of the 26 with additional abnormalities (58 or 24% of the total group) had chromosomal defects (eight cases of trisomy 13, five of trisomy 18, one unbalanced translocation between chromosomes 7 and 8, and one deletion 4p-). All 22 women who chose not to undergo fetal karyotype analysis delivered phenotypically normal infants. There were five midline clefts; each of them was associated with additional sonographic findings and four were associated with holoprosencephaly. CONCLUSION: Isolated facial clefting is not associated with an increased risk for chromosomal defect. Amniocentesis is recommended when facial cleft is found in association with additional ultrasonographic abnormalities as it is unnecessary for isolated clefts.     

Evaluation of prenatal diagnosis of cleft lip with or without cleft palate and cleft palate by ultrasound: experience from 20 European registries. EUROSCAN study group

Ultrasound scans in the mid-trimester of pregnancy are now a routine part of antenatal care in most European countries. Using data from registries of congenital anomalies a study was undertaken in Europe. The objective of the study was to evaluate prenatal detection of cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL(P)) and cleft palate (CP). All CL(P) and CPs suspected prenatally and identified at birth in the period 1996-98 were registered from 20 Congenital Malformation Registers from the following European countries: Austria, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, UK, Ukraine. These registries followed the same methodology. A total of 709,027 births were covered; 7758 cases with congenital malformations were registered. Included in the study were 751 cases reported with facial clefts: 553 CL(P) and 198 CP. The prenatal diagnosis by transabdominal ultrasound of CL(P) was made in 65/366 cases with an isolated malformation, in 32/62 cases with chromosomal anomaly, in 30/89 cases with multiple malformations and in 21/36 syndromic cases. The prenatal diagnosis of CP was made in 13/198 cases. One hundred pregnancies were terminated (13%); in 97 of these the cleft was associated with other malformations.     

Natural history of 70 fetuses with a prenatally diagnosed orofacial cleft

OBJECTIVE: This study is an analysis of neonatal outcome in 70 fetuses diagnosed over a 10-year period as having cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL-P) by ultrasonographic examination. METHODS: We describe the natural history of these 70 fetuses with orofacial clefts and select those who may be candidates for fetal surgery. The sonograms of 70 fetuses with orofacial clefts were evaluated for the nature of the CL-P and for the nature of the associated anomalies. Additionally, karyotyping was performed in 63 of 70 patients (90%). RESULTS: The frequency of additional anomalies and the mortality rate varied with the type of cleft. Also, the frequency and type of chromosomal abnormalities varied with the type of cleft. The overall mortality rate was 63% (n = 44). 3 of the surviving 26 fetuses had severe associated anomalies. In 13 of the remaining 23 cases, the fetal age at diagnosis (> or =22 weeks) excluded the fetuses from the potential benefits of fetal intervention. CONCLUSION: Of 70 fetuses with prenatally diagnosed orofacial clefts, only 10 (14%) were candidates for fetal CL-P surgery.     

Prenatal detection of facial clefts

OBJECTIVES: To determine (1) the antenatal detection rate for isolated cleft lip and/or cleft palate during the routine anomaly scan; (2) the correlation between prenatal diagnosis and postnatal findings, and (3) the association of apparently isolated cleft lip and/or cleft palate with other anomalies, in particular chromosomal abnormalities. METHOD: A population-based retrospective analysis of all cases of isolated cleft lip and/or cleft during an 8-year period in an academic teaching hospital in the UK. RESULTS: Thirty-nine cases of isolated cleft lip and/or cleft palate were identified among deliveries at the hospital. Twenty-eight cases had a routine anomaly scan. Fourteen cases were detected prenatally (sensitivity 50%). None of the isolated cleft palates was detected, while 14 of 20 cases of cleft lip (70%) were detected. One of the isolated cases of cleft lip was associated with trisomy 21, while 3 of the isolated cleft palate cases were associated with the Pierre Robin syndrome. In all cases, an antenatal diagnosis of cleft was confirmed following delivery or post-mortem examination (specificity 100%). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound is a useful tool in screening for cleft lip with or without cleft palate, but not for cleft palate alone. Even with an isolated cleft lip, there is an increased risk of chromosomal abnormality. The role of prenatal education and support is extremely important in the preparation of prospective parents and can help alleviate the shock which occurs when there is an unexpected cleft at birth.     

Are isolated facial cleft lip and palate associated with increased perinatal mortality? A cohort study from the West Midlands Region, 1995-1997.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between cleft lip and/or palate and perinatal mortality. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of cases of cleft lip/palate born to West Midlands residents from 1995 to 1997. Perinatal mortality for identified cases was compared with all births from 1995 to 1997. RESULTS: 347 cases of cleft lip and/or cleft palate were delivered from 1995 to 1997. Thirty-six pregnancies were terminated due to parental wishes--2 were registerable births. There were 310 spontaneous registerable births (stillbirths/livebirths) with cleft lip and/or palate and 1 further late fetal loss. In 220 (70.5%), the lesion was isolated. Of these, there were 7 perinatal deaths, 5 had post mortems and no additional anomalies were identified. In 92 (29.5%) cases other abnormalities were identified. The overall perinatal mortality rate (PNMR) in the West Midlands, was 10.0/1000 total births. The overall PNMR for babies with facial clefts was 89.7/1000 total births. The PNMR for those with associated anomalies was 228.3/1000 live/still births. The PNMR for isolated facial clefts was 31.8/1000 live/still births, significantly higher than the background population (OR 3.3, 95% CI: 1.5-7.0). CONCLUSION: Consideration should be given to screening the fetus at 20-24 weeks for facial deformity. This has implications for detection both of fetal anomalies and of a population at risk for adverse outcome.     

Prenatal evaluation of facial clefts with two-dimensional and adjunctive three-dimensional ultrasonography: a prospective trial

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the prenatal diagnostic capabilities of two-dimensional ultrasonography versus adjunctive three-dimensional ultrasonography for fetal cleft lip and palate. STUDY DESIGN: Fetuses that were suspected of a facial cleft were then examined sequentially with two-dimensional ultrasonography then with a targeted scan of the fetal face with three-dimensional ultrasonography. The images were coded as cleft, no cleft, or equivocal for lip and palate. Postnatal outcome follow-up was obtained. RESULTS: Fifty-three of 57 fetuses had outcome results available. The diagnostic accuracy (true positive + true negative) of adjunct three-dimensional ultrasonography versus two-dimensional ultrasonography alone were improved for cleft lip (100% [53/53 fetuses] vs 91% [48/53 fetuses], P <.05) and cleft palate (89% [47/53 fetuses] vs 57% [30/53 fetuses], P <.05) CONCLUSION: There is significant improvement in diagnostic accuracy with two-dimensional ultrasonography with adjunctive three-dimensional ultrasonography compared with two-dimensional ultrasonography alone for the prenatal evaluation of facial clefts.     

The prenatal diagnosis of Pierre-Robin sequence.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the spectrum of prenatal sonographic and chromosomal findings, associated anomalies and perinatal and neonatal outcomes in cases with Pierre-Robin sequence. All cases (20) with Pierre Robin sequence, who were born at China Medical College Hospital between 1990 and 1997, were included and analysed in this series. 12 pregnancies (60 per cent) were complicated by polyhydramnios and 9 (45 per cent) were combined with cleft palate. Four cases (20 per cent) with cardiac anomalies were also observed. Two fetuses (10 per cent) had abnormal karyotyping (one trisomy 21, one trisomy 18). All fetuses were delivered at or near term. Male deviation was observed in cases with isolated Pierre-Robin sequence or combined mild anomalies (male female ratio: 13:3). Two neonatal mortalities and three with mental retardation were observed. This investigation provides a basis for counselling patients with fetal micrognathia or neonatal Pierre-Robin sequence. The main prenatal sonographic findings of Pierre-Robin sequence are micrognathia, polyhydramnios and cleft palate. In cases of polyhydramnios, sonographic examination of the facial profile and palate are recommended. After the finding of polyhydramnios, micrognathia, and even cleft palate, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of neonatal Pierre-Robin sequence. Cardiac evaluation and karyotyping is also recommended.