Second-trimester ultrasonography: Determinants of visualization of fetal anatomic structures

Effect of Increased Body Mass Index on First-Trimester Ultrasound Examination for Aneuploidy Risk Assessment

“…15 In addition, obesity has been associated with an increased rate of suboptimal visualization of fetal structures during ultrasound examination. 2,4 One retrospective study found that the rate of suboptimal visualization of cardiac structures during a fetal anatomic survey doubled, increasing from 18.7% in nonobese patients (BMI less than 30) to 37.3% in obese patients (BMI 30 or higher). 4 Nuchal-translucency measurement is an integral part of first-trimester aneuploidy risk assessment.…”

“…2 Previous studies also have noted the adverse effects maternal obesity can have on the accuracy of the ultrasonographic fetal anatomic surveys. [3][4][5] The use of nuchal-translucency measurement along with serum analytes for aneuploidy risk assessment has been well-established. 6 -8 A strong association between an absent nasal bone and trisomy 21 also has been established.…”

The impact of maternal obesity on satisfactory detailed anatomic ultrasound image acquisition

“…We have previously found obesity to reduce the ability of ultrasound to identify sonographic markers for aneuploidy such as echogenic cardiac foci [13]. Others have suggested that obesity adversely affects the ability to satisfactorily image fetal anatomy, including cardiac and CNS imaging [14][15][16][17]. A recent meta-analysis estimated that maternal obesity is associated with a 1.7-fold increased risk of neural tube defects and severe obesity is associated with 4threefold increased risk [18].…”

The effect of body mass index on three methods of fetal weight estimation

“…There are few reports on the effect of maternal obesity on the validity of estimations of fetal weight. Increasing maternal size represents a major risk factor for the failure of ultrasound to diagnose fetal anomalies 3,4 . The effect of maternal obesity on clinical and ultrasound estimation of fetal weight is uncertain.…”