Prenatal diagnosis and management of chondrodysplasias.

Thorough ultrasound examination of fetal limbs and fetal movements allows us to recognize several types of osteochondrodysplasia, both in high risk pregnancies (with a family history of chondrodysplasia) and up on routine screening. Correct diagnosis of growth retardation requires nomograms for bone length, and we have developed our own standards for the humerus, ulna, femur and tibia. Since some types of osteochondrodysplasia are compatible with life and others not, it is important to make the correct diagnosis using several differential diagnostic criteria. Only in this way can we decide the further management of a pregnancy. At our Prenatal Diagnosis Centre 8 cases of osteochondrodysplasia have been diagnosed. We discuss the differential diagnosis and the pregnancy management for some of these cases.