Congenital abnormalities and their identification

Question 1

What is seen in 25% of women with fetuses that have trisomy 18?

Answer 1

Choroid plexus cysts

Question 2

How can you differentiate patau and edwards syndrome antenatally?

Answer 2

Brain malformations are more common in pataus (holoprosencephaly in 40%) and facial clefts are more common too.

Question 3

What disorder may you see a cystic hygroma in?

Answer 3

Turner’s syndrome- cystic swelling at the back of the neck

Question 4

What may be seen in a baby with turners syndrome?

Answer 4

Dorsal (hand) and pedal odema

Question 5

What might early-onset pre-eclampsia indicate (ie before 24 weeks)?

Answer 5

A molar pregnancy (tripoidy etc)

Question 6

What is a baby at risk of if the mother has gestational diabetes?

Answer 6

Fetal macrosomia

Question 7

What is the baby at risk of following amniotic fluid leak consequently leading to oligohydraminos?

Answer 7

Pulmonary hypoplasia, as well as postural limb defects and potter facies. (baby face looking like its in the womb)

Question 8

What risk does anticonvulsants such as sodium valporate have on the baby?

Answer 8

Neural tube defects

Question 9

What risks do obstetric cholestasis pose to the unborn baby?

Answer 9

Intrauterine death, stillbirth, meconium stained liquor, prematurity and post partum heamorrhage.

Question 10

Why can post-partum haemorrhage occur in a mother with obstetric cholestasis?

Answer 10

Reduced levels of vitamin k-dependent coagulation factors