Pregnancy

What are the major fetal anomalies for which diagnostic and therapeutic techniques are available? Fetal ultrasound evaluation for anomalies is very extensive. Any anomaly that results in anatomic and some physiologic derangements can be evaluated by US. These evaluations typically start with the detailed extended obstetric ultrasound examination and with specific imaging and measurements added …

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What constitutes fetal therapy? Improvements in ultrasound technology have made possible detailed visualization of the fetus and uterus. The real-time aspect also means that ultrasound can be used for guiding therapies. Fetal therapy had its beginnings with fetal transfusion for Rh incompatibilities. The techniques of intraperitoneal blood transfusion and sampling of umbilical vein blood were …

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What is the significance of an elevated maternal serum AFP level? An elevated maternal serum AFP level may prompt an amniocentesis because an elevated level in the amniotic fluid is strong evidence of a fetal anomaly, usually a neural tube or abdominal wall defect. Maternal serum AFP is usually high in multiple gestations and is …

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What values of TI and MI are recommended for fetal Ultrasound studies? TI and MI recommendations for fetal studies include: In general, as for ionizing radiation, the principle of “as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA)” should be employed for ultrasound, particularly for obstetric studies. For fetal ultrasound studies, the Thermal Index (TI) and Mechanical Index …

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A detailed extended obstetric ultrasound examination can take considerably longer than a level II study. What are the safety elements of obstetric Ultrasound? Though ultrasound is not ionizing radiation and is generally regarded as safe, use of ultrasound does mean exposing tissues to mechanical energy. The mechanical energy of ultrasound has two basic effects in …

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What is the significance of size date discrepancies? Size-date discrepancies are frequently the result of errors in dating, usually because of an unknown last menstrual date or irregular menstrual cycles. Implantation bleeding can be mistaken by the patient as a menstrual period and cause a dating error. US is used to check on the fetal …

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What are the common nonemergent indications to perform a detailed extended obstetric ultrasound study? Nonemergent indicators of abnormal pregnancy that may prompt use of a detailed extended examination include: • Abnormal maternal screening. This includes the sequential screen which includes measurement of some combination of maternal serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP), pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A), estriol, …

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