Sonography of the Fetal Central Nervous System
Key Points • Prenatal ultrasound of the fetal brain in the second and third trimester is described, from basics to advanced neurosonography. • Classification of central nervous system anomalies is…
Prenatal Screening for Thalassemias
Key Points • Homozygous α 0 -thalassemia and β-thalassemia major are global autosomal disorders. • Different α- and β-thalassemia genotypes may be associated with variable phenotypes. • Universal screening is…
Expanded Carrier Screening
Key Points • This chapter describes the novel concept of expanded carrier screening (ECS), whereby individuals are simultaneously screened for up to 200 genetic conditions. • Different laboratory techniques are…
Advances in Molecular Genetics Including Fetal Sequencing
Key Points • Fetal malformations can be caused by chromosomal defects detectable by fetal karyotype and chromosomal microarray analysis, by sequence variants (mutations) in single genes or can be multifactorial…
Prenatal Diagnosis of Chromosome Abnormalities
Key Points • Chorionic villi, amniotic fluid and fetal blood are the specimen types currently used for prenatal diagnostic testing for chromosome abnormalities. • The spectrum of chromosomal alterations seen…
Ultrasound Screening for Fetal Abnormalities in the First Trimester
Key Points • Early diagnosis of structural anomalies is increasingly possible. About half of the congenital anomalies can be diagnosed in the late first trimester. • Severe and often lethal…
Invasive Diagnostic Procedures
Key Points • Amniocentesis is used from 15 weeks of gestation onwards for prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities, single-gene disorders, fetal lung maturity, fetal infections and inflammation. • Chorionic villus…
Evidence for Routine Ultrasound Screening for Fetal Abnormalities in the Second and Third Trimesters
Key Points • The main objective of routine midtrimester ultrasonography (US) is to provide accurate diagnostic information for the delivery of optimised antenatal care, including delivery planning. • Routine early…