TRANSVAGINAL SONOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF FETAL FINGER ABNORMALITIES IN EARLY GESTATION

The prenatal sonographic diagnosis of fetal finger abnormalities was r ecorded in a study population of 20,000 pregnant patients. All scans w ere performed with a vaginal transducer at 13 to 17 weeks' gestation. The following abnormalities were observed: six cases of polydactyly, t hree of syndactyly, nine cases of overlapping fingers, two cases of cl eft hands, two cases of adactyly, one case of aphalangia, and one case of clasped thumb. In 15 of the 25 fetuses with finger abnormalities, we observed associated malformations or chromosomal disorders, or both . We therefore recommend that examination of the fingers and hands sho uld become an integral part of the early ultrasonographic evaluation o f the fetus.