ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the likelihood of finding an etiopathogenic cause in an ultrasonographic prenatal diagnosis of holoprosencephaly. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1996 to June 2010, 13 883 prenatal diagnoses through chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis were made. Every fetus with holoprosencephaly at ultrasound was evaluated. Gestational age, additional ultrasound findings, and fetal karyotype were recorded. Molecular diagnosis and parental karyotype were studied, if relevant. RESULTS: Twenty-eight fetuses were diagnosed with holoprosencephaly (0.20%). All cases had additional ultrasound findings (100%). A definitive etiology was found in 23 cases (82.14%): karyotype was abnormal in 19 (67.9%) and normal in 8 (28.5%) cases. In the normal karyotype group, although molecular testing was performed in a few cases, one mutation of gene SIX 3 was diagnosed, one diagnosis of dysgnathia complex was made, and two fetuses presented Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome. No etiopathogenic diagnosis was made in five fetuses. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that a definitive etiology can be established in most cases of prenatal holoprosencephaly. Chromosomal anomalies were the most frequent finding. However, in euploid fetuses, molecular diagnosis is worthwhile, as different genes with different inheritance patterns may be responsible for this malformation. Thorough evaluation proved beneficial for assessing more accurate prognosis and recurrence risks.
Subject(s)
Holoprosencephaly/diagnostic imaging , Holoprosencephaly/etiology , Ultrasonography, Prenatal , Adult , Chromosome Aberrations , Cohort Studies , DNA/analysis , Environment , Female , Genetic Counseling , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Gestational Age , Holoprosencephaly/genetics , Humans , Karyotype , Pregnancy , Prognosis , Recurrence , Retrospective Studies , Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome/geneticsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To analyze variables affecting couples' decision making about prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis in patients with no access to legal termination of pregnancy (TOP). METHODS: Patients undergoing invasive prenatal diagnosis were anonymously surveyed after counseling and before the procedure. The questionnaire enquired about sociodemographic features, medical history, knowledge of and attitudes toward genetic testing and TOP. RESULTS: Two genetic units distributed 372 questionnaires. Mean maternal age was 36 +/- 4 years. Access to prenatal genetic counseling was mainly patient's own initiative, or 'self-referral'. Most self-referred patients (87%) considered that 'receiving accurate information' was the main issue. Eighty-one per cent of all couples knew that TOP because of fetal anomalies was not legal. In case of a serious anomaly, 68.2% of patients would contemplate TOP, in spite of the risk of being exposed to an unsafe abortion. CONCLUSIONS: In many countries, prenatal genetic testing is offered, but TOP is not available. In the present study, although most of the couples who decided to undergo prenatal genetic testing were aware of this, they still chose to perform prenatal diagnosis. The main reason given was to obtain reliable information about fetal condition. Finally, if a fetal chromosomal abnormality were detected, most of them would consider TOP.
Subject(s)
Abortion, Eugenic/legislation & jurisprudence , Chromosome Disorders/diagnosis , Decision Making , Genetic Testing/psychology , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Parents/psychology , Adult , Female , Gestational Age , Humans , Male , Multivariate Analysis , Pregnancy , Prenatal Diagnosis , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between absence of nasal bone on ultrasound and Down syndrome in fetuses at 11-14 weeks of pregnancy. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-four consecutive fetuses from singleton pregnancies undergoing chorionic villi sampling (CVS) were evaluated by transabdominal ultrasound. A sagittal view of the fetal face was obtained and the absence or presence of nasal bone was recorded and correlated with the fetal karyotype. RESULTS: A successful view of the fetal profile was possible in 183 of 194 (94%) fetuses. The nasal bone was absent in three of five fetuses with Down syndrome, and in one of 175 (0.6%) chromosomally normal fetuses. CONCLUSION: Absence of nasal bone by first trimester ultrasound was significantly associated with Down syndrome. When a proper view of the fetal face was obtained, the nasal bone was visible in more than 99% of karyotypically normal fetuses.
