Prospective ranking of the sonographic markers for aneuploidy: data of 2143 prenatal cytogenetic diagnoses referred for abnormalities on ultrasound.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To design a scheme to rank sonographic anomalies as indicators of aneuploidy and record the distribution of data from 2143 prenatal amniotic fluid/chorionic villous sample diagnoses referred for karyotyping because of fetal anomalies detected with ultrasound.

METHODS:

In all cases the records of sonographic anomalies were obtained prior to karyotyping. A cascade of seven prospective categories of ultrasound anomalies was chosen and the data were included in the highest compatible sonography category. The categories were in descending order: (I) combined central nervous system (CNS)/cranial shape and cardiac anomalies (excluding spina bifida and anencephaly); (II) key anomaly present (exomphalos/ intrauterine growth restriction/duodenal atresia/cystic hygroma/fetal hydrops/talipes--with other multiple anomalies); (III) CNS +/- other abnormality (excluding choroid plexus cyst, spina bifida, anencephaly); (IVa) increased nuchal translucency--first trimester +/- other abnormality; (IVb) increased nuchal thickening--second trimester +/- other abnormality; (V) cardiac anomaly +/- other abnormality; (VI) other markers of aneuploidy (pyelectasis/two vessel cord/echogenic bowel/short femur); and (VII) other (mostly isolated) malformations.

RESULTS:

There were 412/2143 (19.2%) chromosome abnormalities detected in this sonographically abnormal group. Overall, the prevalence of aneuploidy significantly ranged from 51 to 3% according to the above I-VII ultrasound categories and from approximately 1-80% for individual ultrasound anomalies. Likelihood ratios were derived for many ultrasound anomalies for several aneuploidy groups: trisomies of 13; 18; and 21; 45,X and 45,X mosaics; triploidy; other autosomal duplications and/or deletions; and other (than 45,X) sex chromosomal aneuploidies.

CONCLUSION:

It is suggested this data could be used to assist pre-procedural counselling of patients after the ultrasound scan in tertiary referral centres for prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis.

• Authors: Art Daniel, Neil Athayde, Robert Ogle, Alice M George, Jonathan Michael, Mark D Pertile, Jennifer Bryan, Vapinder Jammu, Brian J Trudinger
• Journal: The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology (Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol) Vol. 43 Issue 1 Pg. 16-26 (Feb 2003) ISSN: 0004-8666 [Print] Australia
• PMID: 12755342 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Abnormalities, Multiple (diagnostic imaging)
• Amniocentesis
• Aneuploidy
• Chorionic Villi Sampling
• Chromosome Aberrations
• Congenital Abnormalities (diagnostic imaging)
• Female
• Humans
• Karyotyping
• Maternal Age
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy, High-Risk
• Prenatal Diagnosis
• Prevalence
• Referral and Consultation
• Ultrasonography, Prenatal