Chapter 18 - Four-dimensional ultrasonography: methods, uses, and fetal neuroscience

Abstract

The patterns of fetal neurobehavior and neurodevelopment have not been entirely established after plenty of years of scientific research, remaining at present an evolving challenge. The disclosures regarding fetal movements and fetal morphology had concluded that the fetal neurobehavioral patterns are interconnected with the maturation and development stages of the fetal central nervous system and can predict with a high accuracy neurological and organic disorders. Nowadays, with the introduction of four-dimensional ultrasonography in clinical practice, obstetricians can forecast fetal neurodevelopment dysfunctions and brain impairments through the assessment of the quality and quantity of general movements, facial expressions, the opening of the eyes, and primary reflexes. Kurjak Antenatal Neurodevelopmental Test (KANET) combines general movement’s evaluation and the Amiel-Tison Neurological Assessment at Term to detect normal from abnormal or borderline at normal and high-risk pregnancies. Although KANET is an important tool for fetal neurological evaluation, further research is needed to completely understand the applicability of four-dimensional ultrasonography to fetal neurobehavior and neurodevelopment.