Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 5, Issue 12 679-684, Copyright © 1986 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Fetal facial abnormalities identified during obstetric sonography
F. N. Hegge, G. H. Prescott and P. T. Watson
The orbits and, if readily accessible, the facial profile were visualized
as part of a brief fetal anatomy survey during approximately 7100 low-risk
and high-risk obstetric sonographic examinations. This examination
identified 17 facial abnormalities in 11 fetuses. There were seven
abnormalities of the eyes, including three instances of absence of both
eyes, two of hypertelorism, one of proptosis, and one of relative
prominence. There were seven abnormalities of the nose, including three
instances of marked flattening, one of absence, one of a proboscis, one of
a single nostril, and one of a sunken appearance. There were two abnormally
small chins. There was one marked cleft that involved the nose, lip, and
palate. At least two fetuses with abnormal faces were missed entirely and
coexistent facial abnormalities were missed in another three fetuses. Of
the 11 fetuses with facial abnormalities identified, eight had other
structural abnormalities as well, and the other three had either
polyhydramnios or a history of teratogen exposure. A brief facial
examination done as part of the fetal anatomy survey helps to identify
abnormalities in high-risk fetuses but is considerably less productive in
low-risk fetuses.
