Prenatal Diagnosis and Ultrasound

Diagnosis of genetic disorders (cont.)

The common gene defects looked for in Europe include;
Tay-Sachs disease (Ashkenazi Jews),
Sickle Cell Disease (African- Caribbean),
Thallassaemia (Mediterranean and middle east).

There are other common gene defects throughout the world, reflecting the local population.

Fetal hydrops and anaemia

Ultrasound
Since the introduction of ultrasound into clinical practice by Ian Donald in Glasgow in 1960, it has rapidly acquired an important place in maternity care, but this has not been without certain drawbacks and limitations due to its operator dependent nature. It has however, an established place in antenatal care in a number of areas. It is important in accurate pregnancy dating required for the purposes of monitoring fetal growth through pregnancy (see Ultrasound)

In the first trimester, ultrasound can be used to confirm the presence of an intra-uterine pregnancy, and determine its viability. (Continued next page)