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. 2023 Jul 6;11(19):4544-4552.
doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i19.4544.

Analysis of characteristic features in ultrasound diagnosis of fetal limb body wall complex during 11-13+6 weeks

Cai-Hong Ye  1 , Shuo Li  2 , Li Ling  3
Affiliations

Analysis of characteristic features in ultrasound diagnosis of fetal limb body wall complex during 11-13+6 weeks

Cai-Hong Ye et al. World J Clin Cases. .

Abstract

Background: Limb body wall complex (LBWC) is a fatal malformation characterized by major defects in the fetal abdominal or thoracic wall, visceral herniation, significant scoliosis or spina bifida, limb deformities, craniofacial deformities, and umbilical cord abnormalities (short or absent umbilical cord). Early diagnosis of this condition is of great clinical significance for clinical intervention and pregnancy decision-making. With the rapid development of fetal ultrasound medicine, early pregnancy (11-13+6 wk) standardized prenatal ultrasound examinations have been widely promoted and applied.

Aim: To explore the value of prenatal ultrasound in the diagnosis of fetal LBWC syndrome during early pregnancy.

Methods: The ultrasonographic data and follow-up results of 18 cases of fetal LBWC diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound during early pregnancy (11-13+6 wk) were retrospectively analyzed, and their ultrasonographic characteristics were analyzed.

Results: Among the 18 fetuses with limb wall abnormalities, there were spinal dysplasia (18/18, 100%), varying degrees of thoracoschisis and gastroschisis (18/18, 100%), limb dysplasia in 6 cases (6/18, 33%), craniocerebral malformations in 4 cases (4/18, 22%), thickening of the transparent layer of the neck in 5 cases (5/18, 28%), and umbilical cord abnormalities in 18 cases (18/18, 100%), single umbilical artery in 5 cases.

Conclusion: Prenatal ultrasound in early pregnancy can detect LBWC as early as possible, and correct prenatal evaluation provides important guidance value for pregnancy decision-making and early intervention.

Keywords: Early pregnancy; Fetus; Limb body wall complex; Ultrasonography.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Ultrasound sonographic analysis of limb body wall complex. A: The fetus with the absence of the thoracic and abdominal walls and the contents seen floating within the amniotic fluid; B: The baby postdelivery confirming the evisceration of the heart, liver, stomach, large and small bowel loops; C: Fetal umbilical artery blood flow spectrum, no venous catheter blood flow detected; D: Kyphosis of the thoracolumbar spine.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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