Prenatal sonographic diagnosis findings and obstetric outcome of vasa previa: ultrasound in ten cases

Objective To assess the specificity, of sonograpbic diagnosis of vasa previ a and pregnancy outcome in sonographically diagnosed cases. Methods We prospectively, collected cases of vasa previa diagnosed by color Doppler sonography. Delivery by elective Cesarean section after demonstrat ion of fetal pulmonary maturity and prior to the onset of labor was recomme nded unless obstetric complications supervened. Data regarding maternal obs tetric courses and newborn status were collected. Results Eleven cases of vasa previa without placenta previa were diagnosed among 33208 women over an 8-year period. Ten patients bad confirmation of t he diagnosis by the delivering obstetrician and/or placental examination, g iving a specificity of diagnosis of 91%. Among the 10 patients with confirm ed vasa previa, two were delivered at 31.5 and 35.5 weeks' estation prior t o demonstration of lung maturity, and the remainder were delivered at 34-37 .5 weeks, after lung maturity. All infants had normal Apgar scores and surv ived. One baby bad Scimitar syndrome, which was not suspected from sonograp h. Conclusions The specificity of sonograpbic diagnosis of vasa previa at our center was 91%. Antenatal diagnosis permitted us to prevent the catastrophi c outcomes commonly associated with vasa previa.