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This article discusses the indications for fetal echocardiography (FE), a procedure used to detect congenital heart disease in fetuses. The authors conducted a systematic literature search to identify guidelines and expert consensuses published between 2014 and 2023. They found that there is a lack of consensus among these sources regarding the risk factors that warrant FE. While there was complete agreement on three risk factors, there were disagreements and inconsistencies for others. The authors suggest that an international agreement would be beneficial for physicians and guideline developers, and further evidence is needed to justify FE for many risk factors. [Extracted from the article]

This article, titled "EP18.16: Fetal dilated jugular lymphatic sacs on first trimester ultrasound and their implications in antenatal screening," explores the clinical significance and rate of genetic anomalies and fetal malformations in fetuses with dilated jugular lymphatic sacs (JLS) during the first trimester ultrasound. The study found that the presence of dilated JLS was associated with an increased nuchal translucency (NT) thickness in the majority of cases. Fetal structural anomalies were identified in a significant number of cases, and genetic anomalies, particularly chromosomal anomalies, were also present. The article concludes that the presence of dilated JLS, especially in combination with increased NT, is highly associated with genetic disorders and/or fetal malformations. However, cases with isolated dilated JLS and NT <95th percentile generally had good pregnancy outcomes. [Extracted from the article]

These guidelines follow the mission of the World Association of Perinatal Medicine, in collaboration with the Perinatal Medicine Foundation, which brings together groups and individuals worldwide, with the aim to improve prenatal detection of central nervous system anomalies and the appropriate referral of pregnancies with suspected fetal anomalies. In addition, this document provides further guidance for healthcare practitioners with the goal of standardizing the description of ultrasonographic abnormal findings., (© 2024 S. Karger AG, Basel.)