Diagnosis and assessment of fetal malformation and abnormalities by ultrasound.

With remarkable improvements in antenatal, intrapartum and the newborn care, the proportion of perinatal problems attributable to congenital abnormalities has significantly increased. The number of deaths due to fetal malformations in some countries now approaches the number due to prematurity and it is justifiable to believe that abnormalities will soon be heading the league of causes of perinatal death. Even with the most advanced treatment teams and resources, many seriously malformed children cannot be habilitated to any reasonable degree. It is therefore obvious that the future of these types of disorders lies ultimately in their prevention. This has long been the hope of obstetricians and in certain abnormalities this can become a reality. With the advent of ultrasound, many structural anomalies cannot be evaluated by direct visualization of the placenta and fetal anatomy. The number of pregnancies monitored available and as public education about genetics increases. Diagnostic ultrasound has proved to be a powerful means of preventing the birth of babies with significant defects. If this has not been achieved in early pregnancy, the knowledge that the fetus is or may be abnormal at the end of pregnancy can still be valuable, since the management of patients before and during labour could be radically altered. Therefore, ultrasound examination should be preferred as the initial test because it is without risk and produces no side effects.