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Fetal anomaly scan 20-24 weeks
This scan is used to detect abnormalities of the baby and it is often performed at around 22 weeks. Most babies are healthy but sadly some have serious problems, which almost always cannot be predicted by a family history of the health of the mother.
Approximately 70 per cent of all serious congenital malformations can be detected by this scan. Thus, even if the baby appears normal on this scan there is still a small chance that your baby will have a problem.
Mr Economides is a Fetal Medicine specialist and thus you will have immediate access to an expert opinion regarding problems that are detected by the scan and answers to any concerns.
Sometimes it is difficult to obtain optimal views of a certain part of the baby's anatomy if the baby is in an awkward position. Rarely it might be necessary to come back for a repeat scan so as to complete the examination.
The sex of the baby can almost always be determined on scanning at 20 weeks but Mr Economides will only tell you if you wish to know this information.
A table is included below of some of the problems that can be detected on ultrasound at 20 weeks and the likelihood of detection. (RCOG 2000)
| Problem | Observation | Detection Rate |
| Open spina bifida | Open spinal cord | 90 per cent |
| Anencephaly | Missing top of head | 99 per cent |
| Hydrocephalus | Excess fluid within the brain | 60 per cent |
| Congenital heart disease | Major heart defect | 60 per cent |
| Exomphalos/gastroschisis | Defect of the abdominal wall | 90 per cent |
| Major kidney problems | Missing or abnormal kidneys | 85 per cent |
| Major limb abnormalities | Shortened or abnormally formed bones | 90 per cent |
| Diaphragmatic hernia | Defect of the muscle separating chest and abdomen | 65 per cent |
| Cleft lip and palate | Defect in lip | 80 per cent |
| Down’s syndrome | Heart, limb, and bowel problems | 50 per cent |
| Cerebral palsy | | Not detected |
| Autism | | Not detected |
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