What is a congenital anomaly scan?

A congenital anomaly scan for pregnant women is a prenatal ultrasound scan performed between 19 and 22 weeks.

During the scan, your baby’s abdomen, chest, and spine will be examined to assess the development of your baby’s organs and bones.

But what exactly is a ‘congenital anomaly’?

From a medical perspective, “congenital anomaly” is a term that refers to any abnormality that is present at birth. The technical definition of a congenital anomaly is a “birth defect” — but in layman’s terms, it’s anything that’s present at birth. This is what a congenital anomaly scan tries to detect.

However, it is believed that the actual number of cases may be much higher since terminated pregnancies and stillbirths are often not included in statistical data.

There are both surgical and nonsurgical treatments available for some congenital anomalies, such as cleft lip and palate, clubfoot, and hernias. Others, including heart defects, neural tube defects, and Down syndrome, however, can cause lifelong impacts.

Why should I get a congenital anomaly scan done?

Although it can be anxiety-inducing to think about, getting a congenital anomaly scan during pregnancy can give you some peace of mind. It can let you know if your baby is developing any health conditions and help you plan for their care.

Your sonographer will likely recommend additional testing if they find anything abnormal during your scan. They will explain why these tests are necessary and how they are performed. Trust that they are only looking out for your child’s best interests.

Keep in mind that being overweight can make it more difficult to get a clear picture during the scan, as the high-frequency waves used can have trouble passing through layers of body fat.

However, these scans are still considered safe for both you and your baby.

There are many things that can happen during pregnancy, so it is important to stay on top of both your and your baby’s health throughout those nine months. Regular checkups and procedures like congenital anomaly scans help ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

How do I prepare for a congenital anomaly scan?

To prepare for your ultrasound, simply make sure to drink enough fluids so that your bladder is full, but not too full – it is important to be comfortable.

This will produce clearer ultrasound images of your abdominal area. The radiology facility where the ultrasound will take place will likely have more specific instructions on how much fluid to drink. Wearing clothes that won’t get in the way and provide easy access to your lower abdomen is also advised.

How accurate is the congenital anomaly scan?

A prenatal anomaly scan can detect many congenital abnormalities, but it is not 100% accurate.

In the case of Down syndrome, the chance of detection with a standard anomaly scan ranges from 50% to 60%.

Certain chromosomal abnormalities can be detected through an anomaly scan with a high probability. These abnormalities include:

1. Patau’s Syndrome (Trisomy 13)

This disorder is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 13.

2. Edwards’ Syndrome (Trisomy 18)

This disorder is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 18.

3. Turner Syndrome

This condition occurs when the baby has 45 chromosomes, as they lack one X chromosome.

4. Klinefelter Syndrome

This condition occurs when the baby has extra sex chromosomes. These fetuses are always male, and instead of having XY sex chromosomes, they have XXY or XXXY sex chromosomes.

What is the difference between a congenital anomaly scan and a normal anomaly scan?

Both are one and the same. The anomaly scan is a commonly used term for a congenital anomaly scan for pregnant women.

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