[The role of fetal echocardiography and genetic sonography in prenatal diagnosis of the Edward's syndrome--analysis of the thirty case diagnosed at the Department of the Diagnosis for Fetal Malformations at the Institute "Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital."]. / Przydatnosc badania echokardiograficznego i poszerzonej sonografii w diagnostyce prenatalnej zespolu Edwardsa w materiale Zakladu Diagnostyki Wad Wrodzonych ICZMP (analiza 30 przypadkow).

OBJECTIVE: Trisomy 18 (Edward's syndrome) is one of the most common chromosomal aberration in fetuses/neonates. The aim of our study was to assess the usefulness of the fetal echocardiography and genetic sonography in prenatal diagnosis trisomy 18 (retrospective analysis). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between 1994-2000 at the Institute "Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital" 30 cases of trisomy 18 were diagnosed. RESULTS: Every fetus/neonate presented with congenital anomalies. The most common were: intrauterine growth retardation (96%) and congenital heart defects (92%). CONCLUSIONS: Retrospective analysis indicates the great role of "genetic sonography" and fetal echocardiography in prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 18.

[The role of fetal echocardiography in the prenatal diagnosis of aneuploidy based upon prenatally diagnosed patau syndrome fetuses (case analysis)]. / Przydatnosc badania echokardiograficznego plodu w diagnostyce zespolu Patau (analiza 11 przypadkow).

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of usefulness of the fetal echocardiography and genetic sonography in prenatal diagnosis trisomy 13 (retrospective analysis). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between 1994-1999 at the Department for Diagnosis of Congenital Malformation at the Institute of PPMH in 11 fetuses with Patau Syndrome ultrasound and echocardiography examination were performed. In our study the most of cases come from low risk of pregnant women. RESULTS: Fetal heart defect was the most common anomaly diagnosed prenatally in fetuses with Patau Syndrome (7/11), the second one were central nervous system anomalies (6/11) and genitourinary system anomalies (6/11).

[The role of fetal echocardiography during maternal pharmacological treatment]. / Znaczenie badania echokardiograficznego w przebiegu farmakoterapii plodu lub ciezarnej.

OBJECTIVE: Fetal tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) has been described in the literature in association with congenital heart defects, congestive heart failure, fetal cardiac arrhythmias and ductal occlusion. TR is very often present during echocardiographic examinations without structural anomalies of fetal heart and without extracardiac malformations (ECM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The aim of this study was an analysis of fetal TR in cases without ECM and with normal heart anatomy (NHA) in 43/100 (43%) fetuses with maternal treatment. RESULTS: In the study group the most common finding of TR with NHA was exposure to betamimetic. Fetal echocardiography was helpful in these cases to confirm the safety and fetal well-being during maternal pharmacological treatment due to premature labour.

[Usefulness of fetal echocardiography in the prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome based on material from the Department for Diagnosis of Congenital Malformation's of the Institute "Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital' in Lodz between 1994-1999. Part II]. / Przydatnosc badania sonograficznego plodu w diagnostyce Zespolu Downa na podstawie danych z Zakladu Diagnostyki Wad Wrodzonych Instytutu "Centrum Zdrowia Matki Polki" w Lodzi w latach 1994-1999. Czesc II.

In the years 1994-1999 at the Department for Diagnosis of Congenital Malformations at the PPMH Institute, there were ultrasound and echocardiography examinations performed in 40 foetuses with Down Syndrome. In our study most of the cases come from low risk groups of pregnant women. Extracardiac malformations were diagnosed prenatally in 25% fetuses with Down Syndrome. The most common anomaly from extracardiac malformations was duodenal atresia (13/40 cases--32.5%).

[Usefulness of fetal echocardiography in the prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome based on material from the Department for Diagnosis of Congenital Malformation's of the Institute "Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital' in Lodz between 1994-1999. Part I]. / Przydatnosc badania echokardiograficznego plodu w diagnostyce Zespolu Downa na podstawie danych z Zakladu Diagnostyki Wad Wrodzonych Instytutu "Centrum Zdrowia Matki Polki" w Lodzi w latach 1994-1999. Czesc I.

Between 1994-1999 at the Department for Diagnosis of Congenital Malformations at the PPMH Institute there were ultrasound and echocardiography examinations performed in 40 fetuses with Down Syndrome. In our study most of the cases come from low risk groups of pregnant women. Congenital heart defects (AV-canal in 13/18 cases) were the most common anomalies diagnosed prenatally in fetuses with Down Syndrome. In fetuses with DS, functional cardiac anomalies with normal heart anatomy were recorded: disproportion and hypertrophy in 4/12 cases, tricuspid valve regurgitation, bright spot and pericardial effusion in 3/12 cases. The aim of our study was a retrospective analysis of fetuses with DS, which were diagnosed at the Department for Diagnosis of Congenital at the Institute of "PMMH" in 1994-1999 years.