Biophysical Chemistry Flashcards: Soft Markers in Ultrasound

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Questions and Answers

What is the definition of a soft marker in biophysical screening?

Sonographic findings that are reliable predictors of adverse pregnancy outcomes

Sonographic findings that are transient and of uncertain significance, but not associated with any fetal abnormality (correct)

Sonographic findings that are clinically significant and directly associated with a fetal abnormality

Sonographic findings that are definitive indicators of a fetal genetic disorder

Which of the following is NOT considered a soft marker in biophysical screening?

Fetal biometry

Echogenic bowel

Nuchal translucency

Fetal cardiac abnormalities (correct)

What is the definition of nuchal translucency (NT) in biophysical screening?

The sonographic measure of the amount of fluid at the back of the fetal neck (correct)

The measurement of the amount of fluid at the back of the fetal limbs

The measurement of the amount of fluid at the back of the fetal head

The measurement of the amount of fluid at the back of the fetal abdomen

Which of the following soft markers is associated with an increased risk of fetal aneuploidy?

Nuchal translucency Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following biophysical screening techniques is used to measure nuchal translucency?

Ultrasound Signup and view all the answers

What can cause Echogenic bowel?

Swallowed amniotic fluid Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is characterized by deformities affecting both bones and soft tissues of the face and head?

Facial cleft Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common type of facial cleft?

Cleft lip Signup and view all the answers

Which feature is associated with choroid plexus cysts?

Blockage of CSF flow to the brain Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the choroid plexus in the brain?

CSF production Signup and view all the answers

What does a Two Vessels Umbilical Cord connect in pregnancy?

Fetus and placenta Signup and view all the answers

What is the most reliable soft marker for Down syndrome?

Nuchal translucency (NT) Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT affect the measurement of nuchal translucency (NT)?

Gestational age Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal measurement of nuchal translucency (NT) in a fetus?

6 mm Signup and view all the answers

What is ventriculomegaly?

Enlarged spaces within the brain due to excess fluid Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the renal pelvis in the kidney?

To collect urine and pass it to the bladder Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of pregnancies may show fetal renal pelvis dilatation as a normal variant?

2% to 10% Signup and view all the answers

What are soft markers of aneuploidy?

Echogenic bowel Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a soft marker of aneuploidy?

Ventriculomegaly >10 mm Signup and view all the answers

What feature is a marker for further assessment in detecting aneuploidies?

Nuchal translucency > 5 mm Signup and view all the answers

Which soft marker is associated with a renal issue that may indicate aneuploidy?

Renal pelvic dilatation > 7mm Signup and view all the answers

What soft marker is suggestive of gastrointestinal concerns related to aneuploidies?

Echogenic bowel Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biophysical Screening

Ultrasound biophysical screening includes fetal echo, MRI, ultrasound, nuchal translucency, soft markers, and mid-pregnancy scan.

Soft Markers

Definition: Sonographic findings of uncertain significance that are nonspecific, often transient, and associated with normal fetuses but carry an increased risk for fetal aneuploidy.
Include: nuchal translucency, ventriculomegaly, renal pelvic dilatation, echogenic bowel, facial clefting, small fetal biometry, choroid plexus cyst, skull shape, echogenic foci, and two vessels umbilical cord.

Nuchal Translucency (NT)

Definition: Sonographic measure of the amount of fluid at the back of the fetal neck.
Increased risk of underlying abnormality with increased degree of dilatation.
Normal NT: 1.8 mm, 6 mm, or 9 mm.
Causes of increased NT: aneuploidy (especially trisomy 21), pulmonary hypoplasia, cardiac anomalies, diaphragmatic hernia, hydrocephalus, twin complications, and may be normal.

Echogenic Bowel

Definition: Sonographic feature of bright bowel with echogenicity similar to adjacent bone.
Causes of echogenic bowel: aneuploidy (especially trisomy 21), bleeding in amniotic fluid, bowel obstruction, cystic fibrosis, infection, and IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction).

Facial Cleft

Definition: Deformities of the face and head that affect both bones and soft tissues.
Formed in utero when normal development of a baby's head and neck are disrupted and parts of the face fail to fuse together.
The most common is: cleft lip and cleft palate.

Choroid Plexus Cyst

Definition: A little area of the choroid plexus blocks, causing the CSF to accumulate and form a cyst.
A common finding and not considered an abnormality.
These cysts are almost always gone by 34 weeks of pregnancy and occasionally persist in otherwise healthy babies.

Two Vessels Umbilical Cord

Definition: The umbilical cord is the vital connection between the fetus and the placenta.
May represent edema.
A soft marker for Down syndrome.
Timing: 11-14 weeks of pregnancy, at crown rump length (CRL) = 45-84mm.
Normal: 6mm.

Ventriculomegaly

Definition: A condition in which the ventricles appear larger than normal on a prenatal ultrasound.
Ventricles are enlarged due to build up of CSF.
Normal fetal brain: mild ventriculomegaly, ventriculomegaly, and ventriculomegaly.

Renal Pelvis Dilatation

Definition: The area at the center of the kidney where urine collects and is funneled into the ureter, then to the bladder.
Fetal renal pelvis dilatation is identified in 1% to 5% of pregnancies and is often a transient, normal variant.
Normal: the umbilical cord has two arteries and one vein.

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Description

Learn about biophysical screening methods such as ultrasound, fetal echo, and MRI, along with the significance of soft markers in prenatal ultrasounds. Soft markers are nonspecific sonographic findings associated with an increased risk for fetal aneuploidy.

Biophysical Screening and Soft Markers in Ultrasound

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