What Are the Types Of Abnormalities That Can Be Detected By Ultrasound Scans?

miracle fertility
January 9, 2023

Ultrasound is a process that examines internal organs and tissues using high-energy sound waves. On a computer screen, the echoes created by the sound waves create images of the organs and tissues (sonogram). Diseases like cancer may be diagnosed with the aid of ultrasound. Ultrasound scans are one of the procedures used during pregnancy. By having regular ultrasounds, doctors can monitor the growth and development of the baby. By knowing what is going on with the baby at all stages, moms and doctors can make better decisions about how to care for them.

Pregnancy ultrasound scans are crucial for a number of reasons. They are a useful tool for determining the stage of pregnancy and the anticipated due date. They can also reveal the gender of your infant. Most importantly, an ultrasound scan is the safest and first method of finding some anomalies, like Spina bifida and Down’s syndrome. One or more additional tests might be required to confirm any abnormalities that are found.

Types of Abnormalities that an Ultrasound Can Detect

Several anomalies can be found during pregnancy using ultrasounds:

  • The Nuchal translucency scan is used to look for Patau’s, Edwards’, and Down’s syndromes between 12 and 14 weeks of pregnancy.
  • Spina bifida, anencephaly, and heart abnormalities are among the issues that can be found at 20 to 22 weeks during the general abnormality scan.
  • The general abnormality scan also determines whether the placenta is in good health and whether the baby’s organs are growing normally.

The sonographer performing the ultrasound may try to get a second opinion in the event that a problem is discovered during the procedure or is suspected to exist. This usually comes from another employee at the same hospital or clinic. Additional tests might be recommended as a next step to determine whether the suspected issue actually exists. The tests that are required depend on the suspected abnormality. For instance, additional exams may involve non-invasive prenatal testing if Down’s syndrome is suspected (NIPT). This blood test can help determine whether a newborn has Down’s syndrome.

A woman may decide to have a more invasive test, such as an amniocentesis, to confirm the diagnosis if the results show a high risk of Down’s syndrome. In this test, an amniotic fluid sample is taken in order to examine fetal cells for the chromosomal abnormality that signifies Down’s syndrome.

What Happens when Ultrasound Scans Detect an Abnormality?

During pregnancy, it is crucial to check the ovaries and uterus as well as keep an eye on the baby’s health. Obstetricians all over the world have a crucial responsibility: tracking the development of the fetus. In order to assess and compare growth, the obstetric community has created a set of metrics and values. Fetal age and gestational age are two crucial factors that greatly influence pregnancy decision-making. For pregnancy decision-making, one must rely on the fetal age because there is no LMP to determine gestational age. Ultrasound can be used to estimate fetal age.

If an abnormality is found during an ultrasound scan, the sonographer or physician will give you more details about additional diagnostic tests so that you can take a decision on whether or not to have them. This is crucial because some additional tests might be more invasive in nature than the ultrasound, in addition to helping to diagnose the issue.

Before you take a decision, you can talk about such tests with your family, partner, obstetrician, midwife or another consultant. Making these selections is not simple. Having as much knowledge as possible about pregnancy and ultrasound scans will help you take proper decisions.

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