Our Services Pre-Natal Diagnosis Routine Fetal Morphology Scan (18-22 weeks of gestation)

A fetal morphology scan aims to carry out a thorough check of the structure of the fetus. Most babies are normal and the parents can be reassured with the normal ultrasound findings. In case a baby has some structural defects, it might be important to find out before he or she is born. By knowing the abnormalities, prenatal diagnosis might be possible and the parents, the obstetrician and the paediatricians might be better prepared for the birth of such affected child. For certain major congenital defects, the parents might have the option of a termination of the pregnancy if prenatal diagnosis can be established.

What are the limitations of morphology scan?
Not all congenital defects can be picked up on the routine morphology scan. It can pick up around 70-80% major congenital defects. The pick-up rate depends on a number of factors, including the severity and nature of the abnormality, whether the fetal position is optimal for scanning, women’s factors such as whether the tummy is thick or there is surgical scar, the quality of the ultrasound machine and whether the medical personnel are experienced in or have received adequate training in this practice.

Is a morphology scan safe to the fetus?
Diagnostic ultrasound has been used since 60’s. Based on numerous follow-up studies on children who were scanned before birth, there is no evidence that in-utero exposure of antenatal ultrasound is associated with any undesirable biological effects.

Ultrasound Images