Ultrasound diagnosis of the pena shokeir phenotype at 14 weeks of pregnancy

This report describes the early prenatal diagnosis of the Pena Shokeir phenotype in an at-risk patient at 14 weeks' gestation. The diagnosis was based on an abnormal fetal movement profile, in association with an abnormal position of the fetal limbs. Pena Shokeir phenotype describes an inherited condition characterized by arthrogryposis and dysmorphic features as a result of fetal akinesia. It is a lethal abnormality and early diagnosis allows safer surgical methods of termination.     

Prenatal diagnosis of distal arthrogryposis type I by ultrasonography

Two consecutive pregnancies in a woman with initially undiagnosed type I distal arthrogryposis (DA) are reported. A prenatal diagnosis of the condition was made by ultrasound in the 17th week of gestation in one of the pregnancies, whereas in the subsequent pregnancy the disorder was excluded as early as 13 weeks' gestation. The diagnoses were verified at birth. The feasibility of prenatal diagnosis of DA type I in the second trimester is thus confirmed and its possibility in the late first trimester is suggested.     

Prenatal diagnosis of Harlequin ichthyosis presenting as distal arthrogryposis using three-dimensional ultrasound

We describe a case of Harlequin Icthyosis where the main 2D and 3D ultrasound findings were digital contractures as opposed to the more commonly described severe facial dysmorphisms. A prenatal finding of distal arthrogryposis can therefore include harlequin icthyosis as a differential diagnosis, where 3D ultrasound may then disclose the facial features more commonly associated with the condition. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

In utero ultrasonographic features of campomelic dysplasia

A prenatal diagnosis of campomelic dysplasia in a primigravida is described. First level fetal ultrasonography demonstrated bowing and shortening of lower limbs. Second level examination allowed the correct diagnosis by demonstrating several skeletal anomalies pathognomonic of campomelic dysplasia.     

Prenatal diagnosis of congenital my asthenia with arthrogryposis in a myasthenic mother

We studied two children born to a myasthenic mother. The first child, a female, had multiple flexion contractures. She died 1 h after birth. In the second pregnancy, 3 years later, ultra-sonographic examination at 20 weeks showed decreased fetal movements and multiple flexion contractures. The pregnancy was interrupted. Eight other cases of congenital rnyasthenia with arthrogryposis are known; four of them are siblings. The recurrence risk may be as high as 100 per cent. Our second case demonstrates that prenatal diagnosis is possible early enough to allow termination of pregnancy.     

Radiographic and genetic diagnosis of sporadic hypochondroplasia early in the neonatal period

Hypochondroplasia is an autosomal dominant skeletal dysplasia expressing postnatal onset of short stature with mild rhizomelic shortening of the limbs. This manifestation leads to restricted prenatal diagnosis of the disorder. We report here on a sporadic case of a hypochondroplastic baby, whose prenatal sonographic measurements were serially recorded from 19 weeks of gestation. Mild shortening of the limbs became manifest after 26 weeks of gestation. Biparietal diameter was within the normal range throughout gestation. Both parents were of average stature. A tentative diagnosis of a nonlethal short-limb skeletal dysplasia was made. At birth, the clinical manifestations of the neonate were not characteristic, but the radiographic features raised the possibility of hypochondroplasia. Molecular analyses revealed a C to G mutation at nucleotide 1659 of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene, a common mutation in hypochondroplasia. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Prenatal diagnosis of Bruck syndrome

Bruck syndrome is an autosomal recessive connective tissue disorder combining features of osteogenesis imperfecta and arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. There are only few reports describing this rare syndrome of multiple fractures and joint contractures that is thought to be a subtype of osteogenesis imperfecta. We report the first case of prenatal diagnosis of this syndrome in a fetus at 23 weeks of gestation. Ultrasound findings included brachycephaly, retrognathia marked shortening and bowing of both femurs, bilateral fixed flexion of the elbows, bilateral fixed extension of the wrists and partially fixed flexion of the knees. The parents opted for termination of pregnancy. Macroscopic and radiologic examination of the aborted fetus confirmed the prenatal diagnosis, whereas morphological studies of the bone tissue found no hard evidence of osteogenesis imperfecta, probably due to the early stage of pregnancy and the heterogeneity of the syndrome itself. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Congenital limb deficiencies in newborn infants: prevalence,characteristics and prenatal diagnosis

Congenital limb deficiency (CLD) occurs in 0.54 to 0.59/1000 live-born infants and varies according to its anatomic location, type and cause. Our aim was to present a fetus with a prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of CLD (transverse reduction deficiency of the left upper limb), and to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of CLD at a tertiary medical centre in Israel. Among 78 500 live-born infants, there were 24 cases of CLD (0.31/1000): 45.8% of the CLD cases with affected upper limbs, 45.8% with affected lower limbs, and 8.4% with both limbs affected; 88.4% of the limb deficiencies were longitudinal and 11.6% were transverse; and, 33.3% (8/24) of the affected newborn infants had additional congenital anomalies. We conclude that CLD is not an infrequent finding in live-born infants. Comprehensive ultrasonography of the fetus allows early prenatal diagnosis of CLD and provides the parents with important information and helps them in their decision regarding the fate of the pregnancy. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Early ultrasound diagnosis of Neu–Laxova syndrome

We report the mid-trimester prenatal diagnosis of Neu–Laxova syndrome (NLS) in two at risk families utilizing serial sonographic examinations. Ultrasound and pathologic findings from seven affected pregnancies, the largest case series of NLS to date, are presented. One fetus had anencephaly and incomplete rachischisis, an anomaly that has not been previously reported in association with NLS. Ultrasonographic detection of severe intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), abnormally postured limbs, microcephaly, and edema allowed prenatal diagnosis of NLS in five of these at risk pregnancies during the mid-trimester. Growth curves derived from serial sonograms reveal abnormalities of all standard biometric measurements. The growth discrepancy was most pronounced in the measurements of the biparietal diameter, which were consistently less than two standard deviations below the mean across all gestational ages. This case series confirms that aberrant growth and anomalies may be detected sufficiently early in gestation to permit prenatal diagnosis of NLS. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identification of two novel MYH3 variants causing different phenotypes in prenatal diagnosis

The MYH3 gene encodes the embryonic myosin heavy chain, which is crucial for the skeletal and muscular development. The MYH3 variants are associated with distal arthrogryposis type 2A (Freeman-Sheldon syndrome), distal arthrogryposis type 2B3 (Sheldon-Hall syndrome), CPSFS1A (Contractures, pterygia, and spondylocarpostarsal fusion syndrome 1A) and CPSFS1B, which have some shared characteristics and great variability of clinical phenotypes. In this study, we report two novel MYH3 missense variants c.1024T>G (p.Phe342Val) and c.3872A>C (p.Gln1291Pro), demonstrating different phenotypes in the prenatal setting. This study expands the spectrum of MYH3 variants and supports the domain-specific genotype-phenotype correlation of MYH3.     

Antenatal thrombocytopenia in three patients with TAR (thrombocytopenia with absent radii) syndrome

Three fetuses with TAR (thrombocytopenia with absent radii) or TAR variant syndrome were found to be thrombocytopenic during the third trimester of the pregnancy. These findings indicate that fetal blood sampling, besides ultrasonography, skeletal radiographs, or even fetoscopy, may indeed contribute to the prenatal diagnosis of TAR syndrome, and thus may help in differentiating TAR syndrome from other syndromes with malformations of the upper limbs.     

Prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 6 mosaicism

We report on a fetus with multiple congenital anomalies detected at the prenatal ultrasound examination and a trisomy 6 mosaicism in the amniocytes. The pregnancy was interrupted in the 18th gestational week and the autopsy revealed malformations including cleft right hand, arthrogryposis and hypoplasia of the 4th digit of the left hand, syndactylies and overlapping toes, facial dysmorphism with hypertelorism and low-set ears, ventricular septum defect (VSD), intestinal malrotation and scoliosis. Trisomy 6 mosaicism was detected in cultured amniocytes (13.3%), confirmed in umbilical cord fibroblasts (40%) and by fluorescence in situ hybridization on other fetal tissues. Trisomy 6 mosaicism is a very rare finding with only eight cases previously reported to our best knowledge. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Prenatal diagnosis of the pterygium syndrome

We report two second trimester pregnancy terminations in the same woman following intrauterine ultrasonic findings of hydrops fetalis, polyhydramnios, lack of fetal movements, and short, fixed malformed limbs. One fetus also showed a cystic mass at the back of the head. Radiographic and anatomic studies of the fetuses demonstrated multiple pterygia, flexion contracture of multiple joints, abnormal facial appearance, cleft palate, pulmonary hypoplasia, and gracile bones. The cystic mass of the back of the head was found to be a cystic hygroma. These findings are consistent with the lethal variant of multiple pterygium syndrome. Early prenatal diagnosis of this condition is possible using ultrasonography.     

Prenatal diagnosis in a family with mitochondrial acetoacetyl-coenzyme a thiolase deficiency with the use of the polymerase chain reaction followed by the heteroduplex detection method

Mitochondrial acetoacetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) thiolase deficiency is an organic aciduria which affects isoleucine and ketone body catabolism. GK16 (the index patient) was affected with this disorder and previous studies had revealed that GK16 was a compound heterozygote with IVS8(+1) gt to tt and A301P mutations. In a subsequent pregnancy, prenatal diagnosis was performed and the fetus's amniocytes were analysed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by the heteroduplex detection method on a Mutation Detection Enhancement gel. The fetus was identified as a carrier of the IVS8(+1) mutation. We confirmed the diagnosis by immunoblot analysis of extracted amniocytes and gene analysis with blood filter paper after delivery. This is the first report of prenatal diagnosis of this disorder at the gene level.     

Women's opinions on the offer and use of prenatal diagnosis

We have studied the opinions and attitudes of women towards prenatal diagnosis (amnio-centesis/chorionic villus sampling/ultrasound/serum AFP testing). A questionnaire was sent to 185 women who had had their first baby a few months before. The respondents have a strong positive attitude towards the diagnostic procedures, especially if treatable abnormalities can be detected. Younger women and women with a high level of education were less inclined to make use of prenatal diagnosis. If tests were made more widely available, this might lead to a significant increase in the use of prenatal diagnosis.     

Prenatal sonographic diagnosis of Malpuech syndrome

Malpuech syndrome (MS) is a rare autosomal recessive syndrome featuring pre- and post-natal growth deficiency, mental retardation, facial dysmorphism, cleft lip and palate (typically midline or bilateral), caudal appendage, renal malformations and male genital abnormalities. A prenatal diagnosis of MS was made in this fetus based on the family history and a combination of conventional and 3D prenatal ultrasound findings. The family were consanguineous with an affected first child. Prenatal ultrasound in the second pregnancy demonstrated bilateral cleft lip and palate in association with intrauterine growth retardation on serial prenatal ultrasound scans. Dysmorphic facial features and a small penis consistent with the diagnosis were confirmed on 3D scanning. Post-natal examination of the neonate confirmed the diagnosis of MS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first prenatal diagnosis of this syndrome. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Prenatal findings on ultrasound and X-ray in a case of overgrowth syndrome associated with increased nuchal translucency

A case of prenatal diagnosis of an overgrowth syndrome at 30 weeks of gestation is reported. The diagnosis was suggested on the basis of increased fetal growth from 16 weeks onwards, advanced bone age, and characteristic facial features such as hypertelorism, broad forehead and small chin. The fetus presented at 12 weeks with a markedly increased nuchal translucency thickness and generalized skin edema, but normal karyotype. Serial ultrasound scans revealed brain abnormalities including mild unilateral ventriculomegaly and a cyst in the cavum septi pellucidi. The pregnancy was terminated at the parents' request at 32 weeks of gestation and postmortem examination confirmed the prenatal findings. This case demonstrates the possibility of prenatal diagnosis of early overgrowth syndromes and highlights the dilemma arising from the prenatal diagnosis of a non-lethal condition associated with an uncertain prognosis and poorly documented in utero. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of routine prenatal diagnosis by a registry of congenital anomalies

Prenatal diagnosis performed by ultrasound scan is now a routine part of prenatal care in many countries. How many fetal anomalies are actually detected by these procedures? We have used our registry of congenital malformations to answer this question. In a previous study (Prenat. Diagn., 12 , 263–270, 1992), considering the period 1979–1988, we have shown that prenatal diagnosis was performed in 23.1 per cent of fetuses with a chromosomal aberration and in 20.1 per cent of fetuses with non-chromosomal anomalies. In 1991 and 1992, the percentatge of termination for Down syndrome was 44.4 and 41.9 per cent, respectively. From 1989 to 1992, the detection rate and the specificity of prenatal diagnosis by ultrasonographic examination were improved. The detection rate for isolated malformations (fetuses with only one anomaly) and for multiple malformed children was 26.2 and 66.0 per cent, respectively. The detection rate of congenital anomalies by ultrasonography was variable for the different categories of malformation. A high detection rate was observed for anencephaly (100 per cent) and urinary tract malformation. A low detection rate was seen for cleft lip (17.5 per cent) and limb reduction defects (18.2 per cent).