Fetal Medicine

Prenatal assessment encompasses a range of methods used to assess the well-being and health status of a developing fetus. The absence of insights gained through these prenatal evaluations can potentially result in adverse outcomes for both the unborn child and the expectant mother. Approximately 20 to 25% of perinatal fatalities are attributable to congenital abnormalities. Specifically, prenatal assessment proves invaluable in the following aspects:

 

• Guiding the management of the remaining gestational weeks.

• Determining the eventual outcome of the pregnancy.

• Preparing for potential complications during the childbirth process.

• Anticipating issues that might arise in the newborn.

• Making informed decisions regarding the continuation of the pregnancy.

• Identifying conditions that could impact subsequent pregnancies.

 

Various non-invasive and invasive methodologies are at our disposal for prenatal assessment. Each of these techniques is most effective when applied during specific stages of pregnancy. The methodologies employed for prenatal assessment include:

 

• Ultrasonography

• Amniocentesis

• Chorionic villus sampling

• Detecting fetal blood cells in maternal blood

• Assessing maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels

• Measuring maternal serum beta-HCG

• Analysing maternal serum unconjugated estriol

• Evaluating pregnancy-associated plasma protein A

• Assessing levels of inhibin A in maternal serum