Obstetrics
Фетална морфология между 16-18 г.с.
Fetal morphology between 16–18 g. w. represents a highly specialized ultrasound examination of the fetus's main organs and systems in the early second trimester.
Often, it is also referred to as intermediate fetal morphology.
In experienced hands and with high-quality ultrasound equipment, the examination allows for a careful inspection of a number of fetal organs and structures, including major brain structures, the heart, spine, face, limbs, and others at a relatively early gestational age.
Fetal morphology between 16–18 gestational weeks is typically indicated in the following cases:
- In case of a burdened obstetric history – presence of a previous pregnancy that ended with an unfavorable outcome due to a structural or other anomaly of the fetus;
- In the presence of risk factors for a congenital fetal anomaly – a burdened family history, intake of medications or exposure to teratogenic factors, etc.;
- In case of a suspected problem or fetal anomaly during an earlier fetal morphology examination performed in the first trimester (between 12–13+6 gestational weeks);
- When there is a need to perform invasive prenatal diagnostics (amniocentesis) after 16 gestational weeks.
As with other types of fetal morphology, the examination is primarily performed using 2D ultrasound. During the evaluation, under certain conditions, 3D images or 4D video clips can be taken, without this being the main purpose of the study.
The main disadvantage of fetal morphology between 16–18 gestational weeks is that some centrally located structures in the fetal brain are still underdeveloped at this early gestational age. For these reasons, in most cases, the second-trimester fetal morphology examination is traditionally planned later—between 18–23 gestational weeks. Typically, intermediate fetal morphology between 16 and 18 gestational weeks is performed only in selected cases (when the indications described above are present).
MC MARKOVS offers its patients all varieties of highly specialized ultrasound examinations to evaluate fetal morphology at different stages of pregnancy. The examinations are conducted in a comfortable environment with high-quality ultrasound equipment by highly qualified specialists.
Every fetal morphology examination between 16–18 gestational weeks performed by an OB/GYN specialist at MC MARKOVS also includes a basic fetal echocardiography (ultrasound examination of the fetal heart) at no additional charge. All suspicious cases are referred for fetal echocardiography by a pediatric cardiologist.
For more information regarding the options for conducting an intermediate fetal morphology ultrasound examination between 16 and 18 gestational weeks, you can consult your doctor or call MC MARKOVS.
