Prenatal sonographic detection of fetal facial malformations.

Abstract

Abnormalities of the fetal face were diagnosed prenatally by ultrasound in six cases. These included four cases of cleft lip and palate, one case of cyclopia with holoprosencephaly, and one case of fetal facial hemangioma. Of the fetuses with cleft lip and palate, one had trisomy 13, and one had Pierre Robin syndrome. Facial anomalies detected by ultrasound may suggest the presence of other accompanying malformations and may sometimes warrant chromosomal studies. Thus, careful imaging of the fetal face is an important part of ultrasound examination when evaluating the fetus at risk.