Our study emphasizes the importance of the first-trimester scan in the early detection of aneuploidy and structural fetal anomalies. In this small unselected low-risk population, the first-trimester scan detected 83% of aneuploidies and 70% of major structural anomalies. Our results are comparable to previously published studies from other centers and further exemplify the invaluable role of the first-trimester scan in the early detection of aneuploidy and structural anomalies in an unselected low-risk population.

Reference values for the length, area, and circumference of the fetal choroid plexus at 11 to 13 weeks are presented. These may prove to be of clinical importance in the early screening for central nervous system abnormalities. In addition, the statistically significant difference between the right and left sides may be an early sign of "developmental" laterality.

The purpose of this study was to assess the learning curve and factors influencing the feasibility of performing a complete fetal cardiac examination at the time of the first-trimester scan. The study included 103 fetuses undergoing first-trimester scans. The maternal body mass index, fetal crown-rump length, and 8 cardiac parameters were evaluated: 4-chamber view, tricuspid regurgitation, outflow tract crossover, bifurcating pulmonary artery, 3-vessel view, aortic arch, superior and inferior venae cavae on sagittal views, and Doppler images of the ductus venosus. All examinations were performed transabdominally by a single sonologist. The average times from the first to last cardiac images obtained were calculated. A complete examination was feasible in 55% of the cases: 15% of the first 52 and 94% of the last 51. Of the 8 cardiac parameters, 59.5% were seen in cases 1 to 21, 75.0% in cases 22 to 52, and 98.6% in the last 51 cases (P = .0001). The average times spent on the examinations increased from 4.37 to 9.3 minutes among the 3 groups (P = .032). There was no statistically significant influence for the crown-rump length (P = .899) or body mass index (P = .752). This study indicates that a fetal cardiac examination is feasible in the first trimester. Sonographer experience and the examination duration seem to be the most influential factors affecting the completeness of the examination.

Objective. The purpose of this series was to determine the sensitivity of ultrasonography in early gestation (UEG) using nuchal translucency (NT) and the 4-chamber view (4CV) in the early diagnosis of congenital heart defects (CHDs). Methods. This was a retrospective chart review of all patients presenting for UEG between 2002 and 2009. At our center, a survey of fetal anatomy is performed at the time of the NT assessment at 11 weeks to 13 weeks 6 days. A second-trimester scan (STS) is done at 20 to 23 weeks and a third-trimester scan at 32 to 35 weeks. Suspected cases of CHDs were evaluated by a pediatric cardiologist. All neonates were examined at birth by a pediatrician, and when clinically indicated, fetal echocardiography was performed. Results. A total of 1370 fetuses were scanned. Congenital heart defects were identified in 8 (0.6%). Nuchal translucency was above the 95th percentile for gestational age (GA) in 6 of 8, and the 4CV was abnormal in 6 of 8. Ultrasonography in early gestation detected 75% fetuses with CHDs, and 25% were detected by an STS. Conclusions. Our study emphasizes the importance of UEG in the detection of CHDs. In this small unselected lowrisk population, UEG detected 75% of CHDs. Nuchal translucency was above the 95th percentile for GA, the 4CV was abnormal, or both in all 8 cases with CHDs. Key words: congenital heart defects; first-trimester scan; 4-chamber view; nuchal translucency; ultrasonography in early gestation. irst-trimester screening, using nuchal translucency (NT), tricuspid regurgitation, and ductus venosus flow, has been shown to be associated with early detection of congenital heart defects (CHDs). 1,2 This, coupled with the improvement in the resolution of today's ultrasound machines, is leading to the advocacy of incorporating routine cardiac evaluation at the time of the first-trimester scan (FTS). [3][4][5][6][7] The value of prenatal detection of CHDs has been shown to improve the outcome of these neonates when they are delivered at tertiary care centers equipped for handling them. 8,9 In addition, first-and early second-trimester detection provides ample time for a full workup: karyotype as well as assessment by pediatric cardiology. If termination of pregnancy were an option, then the earlier the diagnosis, the less the risks to the mother because the risks increase with advancing gestation, bearing in mind the limitations on termination beyond a certain gestational age (GA) in various parts of the world. This is further intensified by the emotional and psychological