Positive predictive value of prenatal ultrasonography confirmed by post-mortem investigations

Abstract

Objective To analyse the positive predictive value of ultrasonography based on the results of post-mortem investigations in respect of the most common malformations. Study design We processed the details of 683 cases affecting the nervous, cardiovascular, urinary and skeletal systems, and the abdominal/thoracic walls. Results In four of the investigated groups of malformations, the proportion of sonographic diagnoses completely coinciding with the post mortem results was found to be approximately 70%, but it was found to be much lower (32%) in urinary malformations. The cumulative proportion of coinciding sonographic and post mortem diagnoses was 63%, while completely incorrect ultrasonographic diagnoses amounted to 17%. Conclusions Sonography is an essential method for the diagnosis of the majority of fetal malformations, but post-mortem examinations yield an indispensable quality control as well as additional information to ultrasound examinations.