Abstract：
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to describe the magnitude and pattern of congenital anomalies on routine second-trimester ultrasound and its practical implication in the management of pregnant women with fetal anomalies at a novice center in East Africa.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2021 to May 2022 among women who had second-trimester anatomic scanning. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 23.1. Ethical clearance was obtained from the hospital\'s institutional review board and informed consent was obtained.
RESULTS: The number of congenital anomalies was 45 of 1764 (2.55%). Most (41%) were in the age group 26-30 years and multigravida (62%). Average gestational age at anatomic scanning was 24 weeks. One or more risk factors for congenital anomalies were reported in 19 (31.0%) of the mothers. Most sonographic fetal abnormalities (51.7%) were reported in the central nervous system, followed by renal (18.0%) and skeletal (11.5%). Among the central nervous system anomalies, severe ventriculomegaly was the most common (38.7%), followed by Arnold-Chiari malformation (19.4%). Thirty-five (2%) of the mothers had a lethal fetal congenital anomaly and their pregnancy was terminated after counseling and informed consent.
CONCLUSIONS: The rate of congenital anomalies in this study is comparable with most international data. The introduction of second-trimester anatomic scanning has led to timely termination of anomalous pregnancies, which contributes to reduction in direct and indirect costs of care and family\'s psychosocial distress and the stigma associated with the birth of and caring for a child with disability.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2021 to May 2022 among women who had second-trimester anatomic scanning. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 23.1. Ethical clearance was obtained from the hospital\'s institutional review board and informed consent was obtained.
RESULTS: The number of congenital anomalies was 45 of 1764 (2.55%). Most (41%) were in the age group 26-30 years and multigravida (62%). Average gestational age at anatomic scanning was 24 weeks. One or more risk factors for congenital anomalies were reported in 19 (31.0%) of the mothers. Most sonographic fetal abnormalities (51.7%) were reported in the central nervous system, followed by renal (18.0%) and skeletal (11.5%). Among the central nervous system anomalies, severe ventriculomegaly was the most common (38.7%), followed by Arnold-Chiari malformation (19.4%). Thirty-five (2%) of the mothers had a lethal fetal congenital anomaly and their pregnancy was terminated after counseling and informed consent.
CONCLUSIONS: The rate of congenital anomalies in this study is comparable with most international data. The introduction of second-trimester anatomic scanning has led to timely termination of anomalous pregnancies, which contributes to reduction in direct and indirect costs of care and family\'s psychosocial distress and the stigma associated with the birth of and caring for a child with disability.
摘要：
目的：本研究的目的是描述常规孕中期超声检查中先天性异常的程度和模式，及其在东非新手中心处理胎儿异常孕妇中的实际意义。
方法：这项横断面研究于2021年9月至2022年5月在妊娠中期解剖扫描的女性中进行。使用结构化问卷收集数据，并使用SPSS版本23.1进行分析。从医院的机构审查委员会获得道德许可，并获得知情同意。
结果：先天性异常的数量为1764例中的45例（2.55％）。大多数（41％）在26-30岁年龄段和多胎（62％）。解剖扫描时的平均胎龄为24周。在19名（31.0％）的母亲中报告了先天性异常的一种或多种危险因素。大多数超声胎儿异常（51.7％）在中枢神经系统报告，其次是肾脏（18.0%）和骨骼（11.5%）。在中枢神经系统异常中，严重的脑室肥大是最常见的（38.7%），其次是Arnold-Chiari畸形（19.4%）。35（2％）的母亲有致命的胎儿先天性异常，在咨询和知情同意后终止了怀孕。
结论：这项研究中的先天性异常率与大多数国际数据相当。孕中期解剖扫描的引入导致了异常妊娠的及时终止,这有助于减少护理和家庭心理社会困扰的直接和间接成本，以及与残疾儿童的出生和护理相关的耻辱。
方法：这项横断面研究于2021年9月至2022年5月在妊娠中期解剖扫描的女性中进行。使用结构化问卷收集数据，并使用SPSS版本23.1进行分析。从医院的机构审查委员会获得道德许可，并获得知情同意。
结果：先天性异常的数量为1764例中的45例（2.55％）。大多数（41％）在26-30岁年龄段和多胎（62％）。解剖扫描时的平均胎龄为24周。在19名（31.0％）的母亲中报告了先天性异常的一种或多种危险因素。大多数超声胎儿异常（51.7％）在中枢神经系统报告，其次是肾脏（18.0%）和骨骼（11.5%）。在中枢神经系统异常中，严重的脑室肥大是最常见的（38.7%），其次是Arnold-Chiari畸形（19.4%）。35（2％）的母亲有致命的胎儿先天性异常，在咨询和知情同意后终止了怀孕。
结论：这项研究中的先天性异常率与大多数国际数据相当。孕中期解剖扫描的引入导致了异常妊娠的及时终止,这有助于减少护理和家庭心理社会困扰的直接和间接成本，以及与残疾儿童的出生和护理相关的耻辱。
