What is an Anomaly Scan?

A prenatal ultrasound scan that is taken during the 20th – 22nd week of pregnancy gestation is called an anomaly scan or the anatomy scan. This scan is taken to get a closer look at the foetus and the uterus. This anomaly scan is mainly taken to detect certain congenital defects and to check the development of the organs and body parts of the foetus.

What does the anomaly scan Check for?

The anomaly scan checks for the foetal organs, any defects, any disabilities, or any structural defects with the growth of certain organs. The below organs are scanned to find the specific congenital defects of the foetus,

· Heart.

· Brain, neck, and spine.

· Kidneys and bladder.

· Arms and legs.

· Hands, fingers, feet, and toes.

· Lips, chin, nose, eyes and face.

· Chest and lungs.

· Stomach and intestines.

By scanning the above organs, they specifically check for certain conditions that can be classified as Fatal Conditions, Placental Conditions, and Maternal Conditions.

Fatal Conditions:

These conditions are rarely found worldwide. These are serious conditions that can sometimes be fatal. These may lead to the foetus death during pregnancy or soon after birth.

Anencephaly

This is an NTD (Neural tube defect) condition, which is life-limiting as the baby’s brain and spinal cord do not develop properly. This condition may showcase defects such as underdeveloped or missing skull bones. This condition may in the future affect the baby’s face and neck.

Open spina bifida:

This is also an NTD (Neural tube defect) condition where the neural tube is open as the bones covering the baby’s spine are not developed properly. This may lead to damaging the spine and may develop hydrocephalus (excess cerebrospinal fluid in the brain).

Hydrocephalus:

This is a condition where the cerebrospinal fluid accumulates around the brain. This can significantly affect the child’s growth development. This condition may be seen in foetus that already has the spina bifida condition, but can also develop separately. This is a condition that can also be acquired by adults.

Cleft lip

During pregnancy the different parts of the baby’s face develop separately and then join together to form the whole face. When the parts are not joined properly a small gap or a cleft is formed. This cleft can be seen in the upper or lower or both lips called cleft lips and, in the palate, called Cleft Palate. A cleft palate is difficult to find during the scan even if cleft lips are identified.

Diaphragmatic hernia

This is a condition where the diaphragm of the baby does not develop completely. The diaphragm is a thin sheet of muscle that separates the heart and the lungs from the abdominal organs. In this condition, the abdominal organs such as the stomach, liver, and bowels go through the hole in the diaphragm and form a hernia, which may reduce the space for the lungs to grow and develop properly.

Gastroschisis

This condition is formed when the abdominal wall in the baby’s tummy region does not develop properly. During the early stages of foetal growth, the intestines grow in the umbilical cord and are then transferred to the abdomen through the belly button. If the foetus is having this condition, then the belly button is not developed properly and the intestines may float in the amniotic fluid resulting in swollen and thick intestines.

Exomphalos

This is a condition very similar to Gastroschisis where the abdominal wall is not developed properly. Here the intestines that are developing inside the umbilical cord may not enter the abdomen and may stay inside the umbilical cord itself.

Serious cardiac abnormalities 

The abnormalities or conditions that weaken the working of the heart are called CHDs (congenital heart disease). CHD is usually formed during the early stages of pregnancy. CHD can affect the baby’s heart structure, the functioning of the cardiac muscles and valves, or the rhythm of the baby’s heartbeat. The criticality of the condition can vary from narrowed valves and a hole in the heart to the heart muscles not being formed well.

Bilateral renal agenesis

This is a rare condition in which the baby’s Kidneys do not develop at all. Kidneys being part of the urinary tract a very important for foetal development as by the end of 12 weeks the foetal kidney starts to produce urine which contributes to the amount of amniotic fluid present in the womb. The foetus needs the amniotic fluid for the development of the lungs. In this case, due to a low amount of fluid, the lungs do not properly develop.

Lethal skeletal dysplasia

Skeletal dysplasia is a different abnormal condition that is associated with the development of the skeletal bones in the arms, legs, chest, or even in the skull. These abnormalities may cause the baby to grow disproportionate body parts like arms, legs trunk with the rest of the body. Some dysplasia cases may be very critical that the chest and lungs do not fully develop.

Edwards’ syndrome, or T18: 

In a normal human body the cells contain 46 chromosomes, in the case of Edwards’ syndrome all or some cells have an extra copy of chromosome 18. This condition is commonly called Down syndrome. This may later create problems with the heart, respiratory system, kidney, and digestive system and also cause severe learning disabilities once the baby is born.

Patau’s syndrome, or T13

Patau’s syndrome is very similar to Edwards’ syndrome or Down syndrome. In the case of Patau’s syndrome, all or some cells have an extra copy of chromosome 13. This will also affect the respiratory system, the Musculo skeletal system, the Urogenital system, and also the nervous system. Like Down syndrome, this will also cause severe learning disabilities for the child.

Placental Conditions:

Placenta previa 

This condition is seen when the placenta is partially or fully covering the cervix. This can cause heavy or light, painless vaginal bleeding during the second phase of the pregnancy. This condition also increases the chances of postpartum hemorrhage which may be harmful for the mother the neonate or both.

Vasa previa

This is a rare condition or complication in which foetal blood vessels run near the opening of the uterus. As this blood vessel does not have placental or umbilical cord support it has a high chance of rupture during childbirth and in turn cause heavy blood loss to the newborn.

Placenta accreta

This is a complex condition in which the placenta is anchored deep to the uterine wall. As it is deeply attached to the walls of the uterus, this may cause heavy bleeding when attempting vaginal delivery.

2 vessel cord 

This condition is also called a Single umbilical artery. Normally an umbilical cord has 3 blood vessels, one vein for transporting the food to the baby and 2 arteries to transport the back waste to the mother’s bloodstream. In this case, the umbilical cord has only 2 blood vessels, one vein and one artery. Around 2 – 3 out of 10 babies have health issues such as kidney problems, digestive disorders, and heart conditions because of this condition. Most of the babies have no health problems and have a safe delivery.

Succenturiate lobe

In general, the placental base is a disc-shaped single lobe. In the case of the succenturiate lobe condition, the placental base is split into two lobes one lobe being smaller in size. There is a similar condition called Bilobed, where the two lobes are split into equal sizes.

Circumvallate placenta

The Circumvallate placental condition refers to the specific shape of the placenta during pregnancy. This condition occurs when the edges of the placenta fold inwards forming a ring around its perimeter. This may affect the blood and oxygen supply to the foetus and cause implications during pregnancy.

Velamentous cord insertion

In normal conditions, the umbilical cord consisting of the blood vessels will be protected by the placental membrane and the Wharton’s Jelly to avoid any kind of rupture and compression. This placental condition is found when the blood vessels of the umbilical cord are improperly inserted into the chorioamniotic membrane and part of the vessels travel through the amniotic membrane without the protection of the Wharton’s jelly and may be susceptible to rupture or compression during pregnancy or child birth. This may lead to blood loss by the foetus.

Maternal Conditions

Ovarian masses: 

These are also called Adnexal masses. These Adnexal masses are nothing but abnormal lumps or tissue growths that may be malignant or non-malignant and are typically located near the uterus, fallopian tube, or ovaries. These masses can be cysts, tumors, or any other type of growth. They are usually uncommon during pregnancy and only 2% of the time the mass may be malignant. 70% of these masses usually spontaneously resolve during pregnancy.

• • Congenital uterine anomalies

• • Uterine septum

• • Bicornuate uterus

• • Uterine Leiomyoma

• • Short cervix

Health screening is a crucial component of preventive healthcare that involves the systematic application of a test or inquiry to identify individuals at risk of developing specific health conditions or diseases. The importance of health screening lies in several key aspects:

Early Detection of Diseases

Health screening helps in the early detection of various diseases and conditions, often before symptoms manifest. This can significantly improve treatment outcomes and increase the chances of successful intervention.

Preventive Measures 

Identifying health risks early allows for the implementation of preventive measures. Lifestyle changes, medication, or other interventions can be initiated to mitigate the progression of a disease or condition.

Cost-Effectiveness: 

In the long run, health screening can be cost-effective. Detecting and treating a health issue at an early stage is generally less expensive than managing advanced stages of a disease or dealing with complications that may arise without timely intervention.

Improving Quality of Life: 

Early detection and intervention can prevent or minimize the impact of certain diseases, thereby improving an individual’s overall quality of life. This is particularly true for chronic conditions where early management can help maintain functionality and well-being.

Public Health Impact: Health screening programs contribute to public health by identifying and managing health risks at a population level. This can help control the spread of communicable diseases and reduce the overall burden on healthcare systems.

Educational Opportunities: Health screenings often provide an opportunity for individuals to receive education about their health and lifestyle choices. This information empowers people to make informed decisions about their well-being.

Risk Stratification: Health screening allows for the categorization of individuals based on their risk factors. This helps healthcare professionals prioritize interventions and allocate resources more efficiently.

Promotion of Proactive Healthcare: Regular health screenings promote a proactive approach to healthcare. Instead of waiting for symptoms to appear, individuals are encouraged to take charge of their health and engage in preventive measures.

Occupational Health: Health screenings are often a requirement in occupational settings to ensure the health and safety of workers. This can include screenings for conditions related to specific job exposures or requirements.

Monitoring Health Trends: Health screening data can be used to monitor trends in the prevalence of certain health conditions, providing valuable information for public health planning and policy development.

It’s important to note that the effectiveness of health screening depends on factors such as the accuracy of the tests used, the targeted population, and the availability of follow-up care. Screening programs should be evidence-based, regularly evaluated, and tailored to the specific needs of the population they aim to serve.