Does the major anomaly scan include an examination of the reproductive system?

Aug 28, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Lv Aiming

Introduction

Anomaly scan is a routine prenatal screening examination primarily used to assess fetal development and rule out potential congenital abnormalities. The anomaly scan is usually performed between the 18th and 20th weeks of pregnancy, using ultrasound imaging to observe the fetus's organs and structures. During the anomaly scan, the doctor thoroughly examines various fetal organs and systems, including the reproductive system.

Generally, the anomaly scan (detailed structural ultrasound) does include an examination of the reproductive system. The specific analysis is as follows:

The anomaly scan is a routine prenatal screening test primarily used to assess fetal development and rule out potential congenital abnormalities. It is typically performed between 18 and 20 weeks of pregnancy and uses ultrasound imaging to observe the fetus's organs and structures. During the anomaly scan, doctors carefully examine all major organs and systems of the fetus, including the reproductive system. The evaluation of the reproductive system mainly involves determining fetal sex and identifying common abnormalities such as underdeveloped genital organs, or malformations of the bladder and kidneys. For male fetuses, doctors assess the development of the penis, scrotum, and testes. For female fetuses, they evaluate the development of the vagina, uterus, and ovaries. Additionally, the doctor will check whether the fetal bladder and kidneys appear normal.

However, it should be noted that the anomaly scan cannot 100% rule out all reproductive system abnormalities. Some anomalies may not be fully detectable via ultrasound, or may require further diagnostic testing for confirmation.

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What dimension of ultrasound is the "major anomaly scan"?

In general, the detailed anomaly scan can be performed using two-dimensional, three-dimensional, or four-dimensional ultrasound. The full name of this scan is "mid-trimester fetal ultrasound screening for major anomalies," which refers to an ultrasound examination conducted during the middle stage of pregnancy. The optimal time for mid-trimester anomaly screening is between 18 and 24 weeks of gestation, as this period is best suited for evaluating fetal anatomy and detecting structural abnormalities.

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Is the major anomaly scan classified as level two or level three?

Major anomaly screening generally falls under Level 3 prenatal screening. It primarily refers to a four-dimensional color ultrasound examination performed between 22 and 28 weeks of pregnancy to determine whether fetal abnormalities are present. This examination allows for a clear assessment of whether the fetus's limbs, body, and internal organs show any abnormalities. During the 4D ultrasound, the movements of the fetus within the uterine cavity can be directly observed on an electronic screen.

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Can a detailed anomaly scan detect toxoplasmosis infection?

In general, major anomaly screening cannot detect toxoplasmosis infection. Major anomaly screening refers to a series of examinations and screening methods used to comprehensively evaluate the physical condition and structural development of the fetus, in order to identify potential congenital abnormalities and malformations. These examinations include ultrasound scans, blood tests, and other imaging studies, aiming to detect and assess fetal developmental abnormalities as early as possible.

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Which is better: 4D ultrasound or major anomaly scan?

4D ultrasound and anomaly scan (detailed structural scan) each have their strengths in fetal examination: 4D ultrasound is better for assessing the fetal heart, while the anomaly scan is superior for detecting overall fetal developmental abnormalities. 4D ultrasound is primarily used to check for congenital heart defects, aiding in the diagnosis of conditions such as fetal rheumatic heart disease and tetralogy of Fallot. It provides a clearer, three-dimensional visualization of the fetal heart's thickness, shape, and size.