Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 14, Issue 11 813-820, Copyright © 1995 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Ease and accuracy of evaluation of fetal hands during obstetrical ultrasonography: a prospective study
R. E. Reiss, P. M. Foy, V. Mendiratta, M. Kelly and S. G. Gabbe
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA.
Hand malformations characterize many congenital syndromes, including
mendelian disorders, skeletal dysplasias, and karyotype abnormalities.
Although identification of a hand anomaly alters obstetrical management,
evaluation of the fetal hands is not included in current ultrasonographic
guidelines. We prospectively studied the utility of allotting up to 5 min
to examine fetal hands during obstetrical ultrasonography. Both hands were
visualized in 87% of patients (188 of 215). Eight hand abnormalities were
present at delivery. Six had been identified antenatally, four during the
study with ultrasonography. There were no false positives. Four fetuses
with hand malformations were aneuploid. Fetal hands should be examined
during a comprehensive obstetrical sonographic evaluation, especially when
risk factors for aneuploidy are present.
