Abstract
During the first trimester, the bones of the fetus ossify and become visible sonographically during the latter half of the trimester. Thus, anomalies of the fetal skeleton can sometimes be detected before 14 weeks’ gestation. Both grayscale and 3D ultrasound are helpful in assessing the skeletal system of the fetus from 11 to 14 weeks’ gestation. This chapter discusses some of the fetal skeletal anomalies that might be detected in early pregnancy, including sonographic findings and associated abnormalities. In particular, the discussion will include detection of skeletal dysplasia, arthrogryposis, cranial defects, and anomalies of the extremities, including the hands and feet. In many cases, the finding of a skeletal anomaly during the first trimester will prompt further evaluation of the fetus, including genetic testing and follow-up ultrasound, in order to identify underlying syndromes or abnormalities before or early into the second trimester.
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Benson, C.B. (2023). Fetal Skeletal Anomalies. In: Abramowicz, J.S., Longman, R.E. (eds) First-Trimester Ultrasound. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-24133-8_23
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-24133-8_23
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