Pattern analysis for ultrasound anomalies in fetuses with normal karyotype

Two hundred cases of double or multiple anomalies (up to five in the same f etus) out of 828 karyotypically normal fetuses with at least one ultrasound finding were enrolled in the present study. One hundred and sixty patterns belonging to 200 fetuses were found. Then, we included in the final analys is only those double or triple patterns of anomalies with frequency more th en 1. Thus, 123 cases and 83 patterns were analyzed. A double pattern was i ntended as any combination of ultrasound findings present in the same fetus . Exact Chi-square test was used to evaluate the specificity of the associa tion of the most frequent patterns. The association of patterns was express ed as ratio between observed and expected frequency (O/E) ratio. Pattern an alysis was used as statistical tool to calculate the number of possible ass ociations of ultrasound finding. Anomalies of fluid distribution, as well a s Central Nervous System malformations, and facial malformations were among the most significant associations. Among the triple patterns, Cleft Lip Cleft Palate + Holoprosencephaly showed the highest degree of association. Antenatal diagnosis of ultrasound finding can benefits by considering the p resent results.