Pregnancy is an adventurous and a joyful experience for any woman despite many discomforts. During this period, the doctors would suggest the mother undergo various scans to examine the health conditions of the baby right from the early stage.
An anomaly scan is an important scan suggested to every mother during their 20-24 weeks of gestation where the anomaly scan report analysis is done to determine the health condition of the baby.
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What is checked on the anomaly scan?
The placenta’s location, the amount of amniotic fluid present, the size of the fetus, and each portion of its body are all assessed during the scan. The brain, face, spine, heart, stomach, colon, kidneys, and limbs receive particular attention.
The major goals of the anomaly scan are to properly evaluate the pregnancy and identify any uncommon disorders, such as those of the brain, spine, and heart.
What are the normal measurements in an anomaly scan?
To assess fetal growth and determine the fetal weight, ultrasound measurements of the biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), and femur length (FL) are employed.
Biparietal diameter (BPD)
After 13 weeks, the diameter between the two sides of the head is measured. From roughly 2.4 cm at 13 weeks to roughly 9.5 cm at term, it rises. In general, dating in the later stages of pregnancy is regarded as being unreliable since various babies of the same weight can have different head sizes.
Head circumference (HC)
The fetus’s head circumference is determined by the head circumference or HC. Typically, the HC is performed 13 weeks into the pregnancy.
Abdominal circumference (AC)
It is the most crucial assessment to perform in late pregnancy. Instead of age, it more closely resembles the fetal size and weight. The development of the fetus can be tracked through serial measures. The dating of a fetus should not be done using AC measurements.
Femur length (FL)
This gauges the longest bone in the body and displays the fetus’s longitudinal growth. Its utility is comparable to the BPD’s. From 1.5 cm at 14 weeks to 7.8 cm at term, it grows. (Chart and additional remarks) Similar to the BPD, FL dating should begin as soon as is practical.
What abnormal measurements can be found in an anomaly scan?
Some circumstances are easier to see than others. One disorder that damages the spinal cord in certain infants is called open spina bifida. Nine out of ten babies with spina bifida will have this discovered, and it is typically visible on an anomaly scan report analysis. Other diseases, such as heart abnormalities, are more challenging to spot. About half (5 out of 10) of newborns with heart abnormalities will be detected by the scan.
Question to ask in the anomaly scan report
- How are the health conditions and overall growth of the baby?
- Are the measurements accurate?
- Are there any abnormalities?
- Placenta’s location
- Is there any fetal abnormality?
Typically, it takes nine months from the time an embryo is formed until the baby is born. However, it allows the mother to always be happy about one of the best and most wonderful times of mom’s life. So, take up a scan, clarify the doubts with your doctor and cherish the moments.