Ultrasound
Precision diagnostics with ultrasound
An ultrasound scan is a side-effect-free way of establishing contact with the unborn child at an early stage of pregnancy and making statements about its development. We can carry out an in-depth organ ultrasound between the 20th and 21st week of pregnancy.
This examination is significantly more extensive than the ultrasound examination scheduled for this period in accordance with the maternity guidelines. Such a detailed examination not only requires special equipment, but also a great deal of experience on the part of the examining doctor.
Fine diagnostics with ultrasound takes about 30 to 40 minutes under good examination conditions, depending on the position of the baby and the thickness of the maternal abdominal wall.
Ultrasound diagnostics can be used to examine all of the unborn child's visualisable organs. The function of the baby's heart and the blood flow behaviour in the uterine vessels can also be checked. However, an ultrasound scan, although very comprehensive, can never reveal all physical illnesses or chromosomal defects.
Rather, the purpose of ultrasound fine diagnostics is to accompany high-risk pregnancies and/or to make an exact diagnosis following abnormalities in the screening. If we diagnose a disease or malformation in your child during this detailed examination, we will work with you to take timely measures for the further course of the pregnancy (including further examinations, therapies) or plan the birth with you by involving other specialists and in close cooperation with the maternity clinic.
Your gynaecologist will decide whether there is a reason for a referral for a detailed ultrasound diagnosis. Of course, you can also make use of ultrasound fine diagnostics as a self-payer.
Types and areas of application
Organ sonography of the feet
Organ sonography is only performed under certain conditions. We have listed a few examples here:
- if there is already a sick child or a child born with a disability
- if a disease of the mother (e.g. diabetes mellitus) could have a negative effect on the development of the unborn child
- if hereditary diseases of the parents could have a negative effect on the development of the unborn child
- if the expectant mother had to take medication during early pregnancy
- if the expectant mother had to undergo an intensive X-ray examination
- if the expectant mother has been exposed to radiotherapy
- if there are hereditary diseases in the family
- if problems occur during the course of an earlier pregnancy
- if abnormal findings were made during the examinations by the gynaecologist in accordance with the maternity guidelines
Colour-coded echocardiography
Echocardiography is a component of advanced organ diagnostics that is primarily used to assess the child's heart and large blood vessels. Here too, the qualifications and experience of the examining doctor play a decisive role. Echocardiography is used to examine the anatomy of the unborn child's heart structures. The function of the heart valves and chambers, the position of the large arterial and venous vessels as well as the position, size and symmetry of the heart and its beating frequency are also examined during an echocardiogram.
As a child is constantly moving in the womb, it can often be very difficult to detect small structures. It may therefore not be possible to diagnose a very small hole in the child's cardiac septum, for example. However, as both the qualifications of doctors and the equipment are constantly improving, the majority of cardiac malformations can now be diagnosed or ruled out between the 13th and 14th week of pregnancy.
However, a final diagnosis of the unborn child's heart function and blood flow can only be made between the 19th and 21st week of pregnancy. At the same time, the assessment of the heart should be completed within the 22nd (23rd week of pregnancy at the latest), as the unfavourable position of the child usually makes the diagnosis very difficult. The sound permeability of the mother's ribs also often impairs the diagnosis.
Umbilical cord Doppler examination
A growth and Doppler check is arranged for certain indications:
- There is a suspicion of reduced growth or stunted growth in the child
- the amount of amniotic fluid is reduced
- the heart rate of the unborn child shows abnormalities and/or there is a suspicion of heart defects/heart disease
- there is a suspected illness of the child or a malformation
- there is a blood group incompatibility
- the mother suffers from high blood pressure, kidney disease, pre-eclampsia, diabetes mellitus or another illness
- the mother suffers from a specific infection, such as rubella
- there was a premature birth or miscarriage in a previous pregnancy
- it is a twin or multiple pregnancy
The Doppler examination offers two advantages: it can reassure the expectant parents if a strong suspicion is not confirmed. This can always happen, for example, if a child is too small for its gestational age but is still being well cared for.
However, if the suspicion is confirmed, the Doppler examination helps us to take measures at an early stage. These include intensive prenatal care and, in rare cases, the initiation of premature labour.
Expectant parents are particularly interested in a modern 3D/4D ultrasound because of the fascinating images. For us, however, it is more of a complementary measure for special issues.
We therefore only use 3D/4D imaging of the unborn child as a rule if this is associated with a diagnostic benefit and the examination conditions allow it.
Questions or appointments?
Do you have any further questions on the subject of "ultrasound fine diagnostics" or would you like to make an appointment at our practice for prenatal medicine and genetics?
