Pregnancy outcome of 30 fetuses with cystic hygroma diagnosed during the first 15 weeks of gestation
Paoloni-Giacobino, A.; Extermann, D.; Extermann, P.; Dahoun, S.Y.
Genetic Counseling 14(4): 413-418
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 1015-8146 PMID: 14738115 Document Number: 554685
The goal of the study was to assess the prognostic value of ultrasound finding of fetal cystic hygromas. Thirty cases of septated cystic hygromas were diagnosed at 10-15 weeks gestation by transabdominal ultrasound and followed through pregnancy. The rate of abnormal karyotype was found to be 61% and the global rate of unfavorable outcome, independently of karyotype result, as high as 96%. These data suggest that cautious genetic counselling should be offered when such cystic hygromas are noticed during the first 15 weeks of gestation, even with a normal karyotype.