Target Scan-The Experience at Saveetha Medical College

Abstract

Introduction: The identification of foetal anomalies in utero is important . The prenatal detection of such abnormalities, often aids in planning the appropriate obstetrical management. Objectives: To evaluate the antenatal prevalence of the major congenital anomalies and the malformation patterns which were seen in low risk patients of our hospital population. Study Design: This was a cross-sectional and an observational study. Settings: This study was done in the Radiology and Obstetrics Department of Saveetha Medical College, India. Duration: It extended from June 2012 to Aug 2012. Sample size: It was done on 250 patients. Results: The incidence of foetal anomalies in our study was 2.97%. The mean maternal/mean gestational age at diagnosis was 24.5years /20 weeks. Among the 250 cases, five cases had lethal anomalies and two cases had non lethal anomalies. The lethal anomalies were cystic hygroma, body stalk anomaly, multicystic kidney, non immune hydrops and a Dandy Walker variant. All of the patients were primi gravida, without any risk factors. Two non lethal anomalies which were found were a duplication cyst in the foetal abdomen and a single umbilical artery. Foetal kartotyping and foetal autopsies were done in two cases. The parents of the offsprings with the lethal anomalies were counseled and they decided to go for termination of the pregnancies. It was offered to them. For the non- lethal cases, complete postnatal work ups were done by the paediatrician. Conclusion: The sonographic demonstration of a lethal foetal anomalies is mandatory, which may dramatically alter the obstetrical management and it also aids in the parental preparation. Future Scope: In our study, all the non compatible with life anomalies were seen in the young primi without any risk factors and hence, the environmental cause has to be studied.

Keywords

• target scan
• foetal anomaly
• major congenital anomalies