What do 4D ultrasound results show with 6mm bilateral ventricles?

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Le Hong Lien - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Ventricular dilatation is a rather dangerous condition that can happen to fetuses and young children. There are no interventions for the fetus, so women need to follow regular pregnancy ultrasounds to detect fetal abnormalities early.

Normally, the brain functions by exchanging nutrients and oxygen with the cerebrospinal fluid component. For cerebrospinal fluid to be circulated, a system of cerebral vessels, holes, canals, and ventricles is needed. However, for a certain reason, the meninges are blocked and accumulate too much in the brain of the child, leading to ventricular dilatation.
Ventricular dilatation is a rare condition that presents early in pregnancy and can be detected during a second-trimester ultrasound. 1 out of every 1000 babies will have this problem. Usually, this condition doesn't need treatment if it doesn't cause hydrocephalus.
Causes of ventricular dilatation include:
Chromosomal abnormalities (need to exclude the possibility of chromosomal abnormalities, then follow up to assess the progression of ventricular dilatation). Neonatal hemorrhage or infection.

When 4D ultrasound, the fetus has dilated ventricles is interesting. Normally, fetal ventricular dilatation is usually divided into 3 levels:
Ventricular fluid > 10mm: Mild ventricular dilatation; Ventricular fluid > 20mm: Severe ventricular dilatation; Compression or destruction of brain parenchyma: Hydrocephalus So if the results of 4D ultrasound, the results of the 6mm bilateral ventricles say what? Accordingly, with the ultrasound results of 6mm bilateral ventricular dilatation, this indicates that the fetal ventricles are normal, it is not worrisome that the ventricles at the end of pregnancy will be normal.
However, if the antenatal ultrasonography of the fontanelle shows that the ventricular diameter is 18-19mm, the risk of developing ventricular dilatation is about 80%. Therefore, it is necessary to have periodic ultrasound of pregnancy to have timely treatment.

Currently, there is no antenatal intervention for fetuses with dilated ventricles. But for babies born with dilated ventricles, there are appropriate treatment measures or if the dilated ventricles are 10mm or less, sometimes it is only necessary to monitor and self-recover after a while.
Treatment methods for ventricular dilatation in children are mainly surgery, including placement of a shunt CSF drainage system and endoscopic III ventricular septal catheterization. However, complications may occur such as:
Cerebrospinal fluid leak; subdural hematoma; Slit ventricular syndrome; Epilepsy ; Cancer cell metastasis Surgical site infection ; Meningitis; Transient memory loss; Injury to cerebral blood vessels.... Therefore, ventriculomegaly is a rather dangerous condition that can happen to fetuses and young children. There are no interventions for the fetus, so women need to follow regular pregnancy ultrasounds to detect fetal abnormalities early.
At Vinmec International General Hospital, there is a package maternity service as a solution to help pregnant women feel secure because of the companionship of the medical team throughout the pregnancy. When choosing Maternity Package, pregnant women can:
The pregnancy process is monitored by a team of qualified doctors Regular check-up, early detection of abnormalities Maternity package helps to facilitate the process. Childbirth program Newborns receive comprehensive care Specialist I Le Hong Lien has been an obstetrician-gynecologist at Vinmec Central Park International Hospital since November 2016. Doctor Lien has over 10 years of experience as a radiologist in the Department of Ultrasound at the leading hospital in the field of obstetrics and gynecology in the South - Tu Du Hospital.

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Treatment of ventricular dilatation in children Transfocal ultrasound diagnoses ventricular dilatation in children Fetal ventricular dilatation: What you need to know