Significance of Antenatal Diagnosis in the Management of Surgically Correctable Fetal Abnormalities

Abstract

This article reviews our clinical experiences of fetal thoraco-abdominal abnormalities detected before birth. Eighteen surgically significant anatomic abnormalities have been diagnosed antenatally at our university hospital and affiliated institutions over the past five and a half years. Antenatal diagnosis by ultrasonograghic examination has remarkably improved perinatal management of pregnant mothers carrying infants with significant surgical anomalies. Elective cesarean section or transference of mothers to regional centers which facilitate neonatal surgery can be properly planned for in advance. It should be emphasized that in congenital abnormalities, such as omphalocele, esophageal atresia, and diaphragmatic hernia, prenatal detection followed by postnatal operative correction would improve their survival.