Indicators in fetal ultrasound results

The article was professionally consulted by Doctor Nguyen Thi Mai and Doctor Nguyen Thi Hong On - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital.

Fetal ultrasound is a technique that has been widely used in the medical field since 1950. This is considered a safe method, does not affect the fetus and brings high diagnostic efficiency, accurate monitoring. the baby's development in the womb.
Ultrasound scanners are used by doctors to read important information and provide images of the fetus on a screen, which can also be seen by parents. However, it is difficult for parents to understand the information and ultrasound results displayed on the ultrasound sheet that the doctor did not mention.

GS: gestational sac TTD: Abdominal transverse diameter APTD: Anterior and posterior abdominal diameter BPD: Biparietal diameter (maximum diameter measured across temporal bone horizontally) OFD: Occipital bone diameter (diameter measured) in the largest section - from the forehead to the back of the skull of the fetus) CER: Cerebellum diameter THD: Chest diameter AC: Abdominal circumference HC: Head circumference CRL: Head-rump length FL: Bone length femur HUM: Length of humerus Ulna: Length of ulna Tibia: Length of tibia Radius: Length of radial fibula: Length of fibula AF: Amniotic fluid AFI: Amniotic fluid index BD: Distance between eye sockets : Uterine height. EFW: Fetal weight GA: Gestational age EDD: Estimated date of birth Rump : Baby's bottom bottom. Head position : The baby is in the normal position (head is below). TT(+): The fetal heart is heard. TT(-): The fetal heart cannot be heard. Para 0000: A woman who has never given birth (to children). VDRL: Test for Syphilis. HIV (-): HIV test negative. CCPT: The occipital bone rotates to the right, forward. CCTT: The occipital bone rotates to the left, forwards. CCPS: The occipital bone rotates to the right posteriorly. CCTS: The left occipital bone rotates posteriorly. Through each stage, the fetus will have different developmental milestones, specifically:

Ultrasound in the first trimester: In the first 3 months of pregnancy, from the 11th to the 13th week, 6 days, the fetal malformation ultrasound at this time is very important:
1: Provide basic information of the fetus: Confirm the fetus is still alive or not? See if the fetus is in the right position? How many pregnancy? Calculate the exact gestational age based on the length of the head of the buttocks. Second: Fetal ultrasound during this time is a golden time to detect some fetal abnormalities if any, the time to measure the nape of the neck to predict some chromosomal abnormalities (these abnormalities can be may be: Down disease, heart malformation, ...). In addition, fetal malformation ultrasound during this time also helps detect a number of other fetal malformations such as:
Nervous defects such as: Anencephaly, no anterior division of the brain, spina bifida (manifestations) in the form of hidden spina bifida, meningeal hernia, meningeal-meningeal hernia)... Abnormalities in maxillofacial, lip, eye: Cleft palate, cleft lip-cleft palate... heart and thoracic defects such as: tetralogy of fallot, inversion of the artery, hypoplasia of the left ventricle, thoracic hernias... Abdominal anomalies such as: umbilical hernia... Bone malformations, limbs such as: bone dysplasia, bone hypoplasia, osteogenesis imperfecta, aplasia of cartilage, defects in the number of limbs... Fetal ultrasound at 18 to 23 weeks: At this time, the fetus is pregnant. The fetus has basically fully developed organs and body parts, and the amount of amniotic fluid is also increased, allowing a good observation of the fetal morphology. This is the standard ultrasound time to evaluate the entire fetus.
This is an important milestone to detect most of the morphological abnormalities, confirm the abnormalities that were previously suspected, the final time for the decision to terminate the pregnancy if any (before the 28th week). Most morphological abnormalities can be diagnosed at this stage, the sonographer will look at the fetal parts in turn to evaluate the whole: Neurological abnormalities such as: Abnormalities neural tube, no brain, hydrocephalus, dilated ventricles, baby brain, varicose veins of galen... Abnormalities of maxillofacial: Abnormalities are more clearly observed at ultrasound in the first month, especially Abnormalities in the eye can be observed. Cardiovascular abnormalities: At this stage, fetal ultrasound can clearly observe the heart and its structures, allowing the diagnosis of most abnormalities, including the most complex such as: atrioventricular, tetralogy of fallot, hypoplasia of the heart valves, Ebteins' disease, right ventricular 2 outflow tract, cardiac arrhythmias... Thoracic abnormalities: diaphragmatic hernia, pulmonary cyst, pleural effusion, oliguria Abnormalities in the abdomen, intestines and abdominal wall such as: esophageal stenosis, gastric stenosis, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, intestinal obstruction, umbilical hernia.... Abnormalities in the kidneys and urinary tract such as : Absence of kidney, polycystic kidney, urinary tract obstruction, abnormalities in bladder, urethra... Abnormalities in skeletal muscle and extremities: In addition to abnormalities detected in the first trimester ultrasound, stage This section observes in more detail the fingers and feet, and it is easy to detect defects such as many fingers, crooked hands...

Ultrasound in the last 3 months: Weeks 30 - 32:
This is the stage when the fetus has fully matured in structure, and develops rapidly. Fetal malformation ultrasound at this stage is mainly to evaluate fetal growth, fetal position, amniotic fluid, umbilical cord (and their abnormalities if any), the development of the uterus.. Fetal abnormalities that may be further detected or evaluated at this stage than in the mid-month period) include: Fetal malnutrition, reproductive system abnormalities (sperm position and movement). testicles, genital tumors, ovarian cysts...) , some abnormalities in the heart valves were observed more fully (heart tumor, stenosis of the heart valves, mitral aortic valve, aortic abnormalities...), some brain abnormalities. Choosing a location for maternity care and fetal ultrasound to diagnose fetal malformations early and accurately is very important. It is very important to have a pregnancy ultrasound at the right time and periodically to detect fetal malformations early, so that appropriate monitoring and treatment measures can be taken (even a decision to terminate the pregnancy). The effectiveness of ultrasound methods to diagnose fetal malformations depends a lot on the qualifications of doctors and modern equipment.
3 The second trimester of pregnancy is a period of strong fetal growth. Pregnant women need:
Comprehensive fetal malformation screening by superior 4D ultrasound technique. Screening for gestational diabetes, avoiding many dangerous complications for both mother and baby. Control the mother's weight reasonably to assess the health status of the pregnant woman and the development of the fetus. Understand the signs of threatened early delivery (especially in those carrying multiple pregnancies or having a history of miscarriage or premature birth) so that they can receive timely treatment to maintain pregnancy. To protect mother and baby during pregnancy, Vinmec provides a comprehensive Maternity service to monitor the health status of mother and baby, periodical antenatal check-ups with leading Obstetricians and Gynecologists. enough tests, important screening for pregnant women, counseling and timely intervention when detecting abnormalities in the health of mother and baby.