Objective To define an evidence-based conclusion concerning ultrasound screening for fetal genital system malformations during pregnancy.
Methods In order to assess whether or not ultrasound screening for fetal genital system malformations is effective and feasible, we searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2009), MEDLINE (1981 to 2009), ACP Journal Club (1991 to 2008), and BMJ Clinical Evidence (1999 to 2008) for systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and controlled clinical trials.
Results Five cohort studies and three crosssectional studies were retrieved. The results showed ultrasound screening detected fetal sex determination by the contour of the rump and the angle of the genital tubercle to a horizontal line through the lumbosacral skin surface in the first trimester. Scrotal size and penile length increases with gestational age for male fetuses, and by 32 weeks, bilateral testicular descent was observed in most cases. Ultrasonographic scans, fetal genetic studies, and hormonal assays of amniotic fluid can diagnosis certain diseases, fetal sex differentiation disorders, fetal endocrinal disorders, and chromosome abnormality.
Conclusion The findings of this study should reassure physicians and parents alike that ultrasound screening is an reliable option for the prenatal diagnosis of fetal genital system malformations, but more randomized controlled trials are needed to further supply relevant evidence.
Citation：
TANG Ying,LUO Hong. Evidence of Ultrasound Screening to Pregnant Women on Fetus of Fetal Genital System Malformations. Chinese Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine, 2009, 09(12): 1343-1345. doi: 10.7507/1672-2531.20090244
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Copyright © the editorial department of Chinese Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine of West China Medical Publisher. All rights reserved
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Phillips B, Ball C, Sackett D, et al. Levels of evidence and grades of recommendation. Available for URL: http://www.cebm.net.
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Natsuyama E. Sonographic determination of fetal sex from twelve weeks of gestation. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1984, 149: 748-757.
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Efrat Z, Perri T, Ramati E, et al. Fetal gender assignment by firsttrimester ultrasound. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol, 2006, 27: 619-621.
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Soriano D, Lipitz S, Seidman DS, et al. Development of the fetal uterus between 19 and 38 weeks of gestation: in utero ultrasonographic measurements. Human Reprod, 1998, 14: 215-218.
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Zalel Y, Pinhas-Hamiel O, Lipitz S, et al. The development of the fetal penis–an in uteru sonographic evaluation. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol, 2001, 17: 129-131.
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Achiron R, Pinhas-Hamiel O, Zalel Y, et al. Development of fetal male gender: prenatal sonographic measurement of thescrotum and evaluation of testicular descent. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol, 1998, 11: 242-245.
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Phyllis G, Shalini U, Koff D, et al. Fetal sex assignment by sonographic evaluation of the pelvic organs in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. Ultrasound Med, 2007, 26: 563-569.
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Oritpinhas H, Yaron Z, Eric S, et al. Prenatal Diagnosis of Sex Differentiation Disorders: The Role of Fetal Ultrasound. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2002, 87(10): 4547-4553.
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Mazza V, Di Monte I, Pati M, et al. Sonographic biometrical range of external genital differentiation in the first trimester of pregnancy analysis of 2593 cases. Prenat Diagn, 2004, 24: 677-684.
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- 1. Phillips B, Ball C, Sackett D, et al. Levels of evidence and grades of recommendation. Available for URL: http://www.cebm.net.
- 2. Natsuyama E. Sonographic determination of fetal sex from twelve weeks of gestation. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1984, 149: 748-757.
- 3. Efrat Z, Perri T, Ramati E, et al. Fetal gender assignment by firsttrimester ultrasound. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol, 2006, 27: 619-621.
- 4. Soriano D, Lipitz S, Seidman DS, et al. Development of the fetal uterus between 19 and 38 weeks of gestation: in utero ultrasonographic measurements. Human Reprod, 1998, 14: 215-218.
- 5. Zalel Y, Pinhas-Hamiel O, Lipitz S, et al. The development of the fetal penis–an in uteru sonographic evaluation. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol, 2001, 17: 129-131.
- 6. Achiron R, Pinhas-Hamiel O, Zalel Y, et al. Development of fetal male gender: prenatal sonographic measurement of thescrotum and evaluation of testicular descent. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol, 1998, 11: 242-245.
- 7. Phyllis G, Shalini U, Koff D, et al. Fetal sex assignment by sonographic evaluation of the pelvic organs in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. Ultrasound Med, 2007, 26: 563-569.
- 8. Oritpinhas H, Yaron Z, Eric S, et al. Prenatal Diagnosis of Sex Differentiation Disorders: The Role of Fetal Ultrasound. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2002, 87(10): 4547-4553.
- 9. Mazza V, Di Monte I, Pati M, et al. Sonographic biometrical range of external genital differentiation in the first trimester of pregnancy analysis of 2593 cases. Prenat Diagn, 2004, 24: 677-684.
