Sonographic assessment of fetal secondary palate between 12 and 16 weeks of gestation using three-dimensional ultrasound

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate fetal secondary palate in fetuses at 12 to 16 weeks' gestation by three-dimensional ultrasound.

Methods: Between June 2006 and July 2008, volumes of palate were prospectively acquired in fetuses at gestational age of 12 to 16 weeks. Acquisition was performed when the fetus was facing the transducer with head extended at an angle of 30° to 40° to the ultrasound beam. Secondary palate was assessed off-line.

Results: Secondary palate was assessed in 45 fetuses with normal face anatomy and 4 fetuses with malformations of the face (one with retrognathia, one with retrognathia and micrognathia, one with cleft lip and one with cleft lip and primary palate). The secondary palate was visualized in 19/49 (38.7%) fetuses: in 2/49, only hard palate was demonstrated; in 6/49, only soft palate and in 11/49, both hard and soft palate were fully demonstrated.

Conclusion: Information concerning evenness of secondary palate may be provided by three-dimensional ultrasound in 38.7% of examined fetuses at 12 to 16 weeks of gestation. This examination should be offered in pregnancies at high risk for cleft palate.