FIRST AND EARLY 2ND TRIMESTER DIAGNOSIS OF ANOMALIES OF THE CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM

To study central nervous system development, 18 normally developing em bryos or fetuses were examined sonographically between 6 and 16 weeks of pregnancy. Furthermore, in a 5 year period, 693 fetuses with an ele vated risk for congenital defects were examined before 16 weeks of ges tation. Abnormal development of the central nervous system was found i n 28 fetuses. Early in pregnancy, normal central nervous system format ion can be can be diagnosed already in the first trimester of pregnanc y. We recommend routine use of safe and noninvasive transvaginal ultra sonography early in pregnancy for patients at risk.