Fetal Soft Markers in Obstetric Ultrasound

Objective: To evaluate ultrasound "soft markers" used in fatal genetic screening.Options: Ultrasound screening at 16 to 20 weeks is one of the most common genetic screening and (or) diagnostic tests used during pregnancy. The practical concem for ultrasound screening is taise-positive and false-nl'lgative (missed or not present) results. The use and understanding of ultrasound soft markers and their screening relative risks is an important option iti the care of pregnant women. Currently, the presence of a "significant" ultrasound marker adds risk to the likelihood of fatal pathology, but the absence of soft markers, except in controlled situations, should not be used to reduce fatal risk.Outcomes: The use of ultrasound in pregnancy has significant health and economie outcomes for familias and the health care system, compared with no ultrasound use. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) recommends a single "routine" ultrasound evaluation at 16 to 20 weeks in ali pregnancies. Patients need to be counselled about the positive and negative findings that ultrasound may reveal so they are prepared for unexpected pregnancy knowledge and the possibility of further testing options being offered.Evidence: Committee members were asked to review specifie soft marker ultrasound topics after consensus was reached on the most commonly published soft markers. Medline and PubMed databases were searched for peer-reviewed English articles published from 1985 to 2003. Reviews of each soft marker topic were written by committee members with quality of evidence and classification of recommendations. These reviews were then circulated and discussed by the combined committee. Final format for the guideline was completed by the committee chairpersons.Values: The quality of evidence and classification of recommandations followed discussion and consensus by the combined committees of Diagnostic lmaging and Genetics of the SOGC.Benefits, Harms, Costs: lt is not possible at this time to determine the benefits, harrns, and costs of the guideline because this would require health surveillance and research and health resources not presently available however, these factors need to be evaluated in a prospective approach by provincial and tertiary initiatives. Consideration of these issues is in the options and outcome section of this abstract.Recommendations: 1. The screening ultrasound at 16 to 20 weeks should evaluate 8 markers, 5 of which (thickened nuchal fold, echogenic bowel, mild ventriculomegaly, echogenic focus in the heart, and choroid plexus cyst) are associated with an increased risk of fetal aneuploidy, and in sorne cases with nonchromosomal problems, while 3 (single umbilical artery, enlarged cisterna magna, and pyelectasis) are only associated with an increased risk of nonchromosomal abnorrnalities when seen in isolation (II-2B).2. Identification of soft markers for fatal aneuploidy requires correlation with other risk factors, including history, maternai age,. and maternai serum testing results (II-1A).3. Soft markers identify a significant increase in fatal risk for genetic disease. Timely referral for confirmation, counselling, and investigation is required to maximize management options (III-B).Validation: Peer-reviewed guideline development is part of the committee process in addition to SOGC council and editorial review.Sponsors: SOGC.