Window of Opportunity: Potential Payoff of Early Fetal Ultrasound
Leaders In Genomics And Precision Based In Utero Diagnosis And Care
Since its founding in 1981, the UCSF Fetal Treatment Center has expanded its vision to incorporate dynamic new methods for fetal diagnosis and treatment based on the emerging fields of maternal-fetal genetics and precision medicine.
Advances in prenatal imaging technologies allow the experts at the UCSF Fetal Treatment Center to offer comprehensive early anatomic evaluations. These specialized examinations are conducted by maternal-fetal medicine specialists and cardiologists trained in advanced prenatal diagnosis. Early fetal anatomy evaluations are particularly useful for patients who are at high risk of having a fetal malformation.
The early anatomy evaluation incorporates advances in ultrasound technology that allow improved visualization of fetal anatomy at all gestation stages. This early anatomy evaluation is optimally performed at 12 to 14 weeks. The evaluation is appropriate for several clinical indications such as abnormalities suspected during nuchal translucency (NT) ultrasound, a family history of fetal anomalies, abnormal results on prenatal screening, multiple gestations, and pregestational diabetes.
The benefits of early anatomic evaluation include early access to targeted diagnostic testing and follow-up imaging such as early fetal echocardiography, the opportunity to make more informed decisions regarding the pregnancy, and early reassurance for patients with normal results.
Evaluation Program Features
Early Anatomic Evaluation
Clinical indications for early anatomic evaluation include the following:
- Abnormality suspected during nuchal translucency (NT) ultrasound
- Enlarged NT measurement (>3.5mm)
- Family history of a fetal anomaly
- History of a prior pregnancy with a fetal abnormality
- Monochorionic twins
- Poorly controlled pregestational diabetes (hemoglobin A1c >8.5 percent)
- Teratogen exposure
Early Fetal Echocardiography
Fetal echocardiography, optimally performed at 12 to 14 weeks into pregnancy, can accurately identify heart structures and function, potentially uncovering heart disease. The combination of accumulated experience and improvements in imaging technology, e.g., high-frequency transducers, makes these early fetal echocardiograms an important diagnostic option.
Clinical indications for early fetal echocardiography include the following:
- Suspected cardiac abnormality on early anatomic evaluation or nuchal translucency (NT) ultrasound
- Enlarged NT measurement (>3.5mm)
- Parental history of congenital heart disease
- History of a prior pregnancy with a fetal heart defect
- Multiple gestations, especially monochorionic twins
- Poorly controlled pregestational diabetes (hemoglobin A1c >8.5 percent)
Why Refer To UCSF?
- The Fetal Treatment Center is located in a children’s hospital, which facilitates our ability to offer comprehensive, family-centered care from diagnosis and prenatal management through postnatal care and long-term follow-up.
- Our multidisciplinary approach incorporates the knowledge and expertise of leaders from obstetrics, maternal-fetal medicine, pediatric surgery, genetics, radiology, nursing, anesthesia, social work, pediatric cardiology, pediatric cardiothoracic surgery and neonatology.
- Our team can help with insurance authorization and other financial questions.
- The Fetal Treatment Center works collaboratively with the UCSF Pediatric Heart Center to guide prenatal care for pregnancies complicated by congenital heart disease.
- Our large patient volume and the diversity of cases we see give us a depth and breadth of experience that help us provide the best care possible.
- UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals are consistently ranked among the best in the nation in neonatology according to U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings of children’s hospitals. Babies delivered here have immediate access to more than 150 pediatric experts in 50 specialties.