Anomaly Scan
Anomaly Scan/Target scan / Mid trimester scan / 5th month scan /Level 2 scan
What is an Anomaly Scan?
An anomaly scan or mid-pregnancy scan is done to identify the structural development. In addition, it evaluates the amniotic fluid, placental position, growth of the fetus (baby inside the uterus ), its movements and maternal pelvic organs.
What does your Fetal Medicine specialist examine during an anomaly scan?
Each and every system (which is feasible for the Ultrasound examination ) of the fetus is examined following standardized protocols.
Which week is the best for an Anomaly Scan?
The anomaly scan is generally performed between 19 and 21 weeks of pregnancy. During this period, the fetus is quite large for accurate measurements and the most of organ development are almost completed (but not for the all systems like brain , food loops , lungs )which is considered the best time for the test.
Will the Anomaly Scan Provide 100% Confirmation Of The Structural Development?
The answer is NO.
However, the anomaly scan is highly accurate, yet it cannot detect 100% of structural abnormalities. While most babies are born healthy, only a small percentage of them stand the risk of developing (Evolving)complications. An anomaly scan cannot detect such complications that evolve during the later phases of gestation.
However, the anomaly scan is highly accurate, yet it cannot detect 100% of structural abnormalities. While most babies are born healthy, only a small percentage of them stand the risk of developing (Evolving)complications. An anomaly scan cannot detect such complications that evolve during the later phases of gestation.
What if there are signs of a problem in an Anomaly Scan?
If your anomaly scan shows any abnormalities, the defect revealed will be studied in detail. Following that, your doctor offers you genetic counseling.
How to Prepare for an Anomaly Scan?
However, a full bladder is not necessary for an anomaly scan. The gynecologist may ask the expectant mother to drink enough water to fill her bladder in certain conditions. Thus, it helps lift the uterus and gives a clear picture of the fetus. Likewise, it is necessary to wear comfortable or loose- fitting clothes. Do not apply oil or lotion to the belly.
Can I Eat Before Anomaly Scan?
Yes, you can eat before the anomaly scan. You can take your regular medications too . Empty stomach is not required for pregnancy scans.
What is the Anomaly Scan Procedure?
During the anomaly scan procedure, your healthcare provider might ask you to lie on your back and a gel is applied to your abdomen. A handheld ultrasound probe is moved over your abdomen to receive images of the fetus.
How Much Time Does an Anomaly Scan Take?
Generally, the duration of the anomaly scan takes around 20 – 45 minutes.However, it mainly depends on numerous factors, including the position of the baby, maternal body habitus, and the preferences of your healthcare provider.
How to Change a Baby’s Position for an Anomaly Scan?
However, it is quite similar to an NT scan. Your gynecologist might ask the expectant mother to try again after a break.
A sugary drink, chocolate, sweets , filling the bladder and a gentle movement may help the baby move to a better position.
A sugary drink, chocolate, sweets , filling the bladder and a gentle movement may help the baby move to a better position.
Limitations of the anomaly scan
- Though the anomaly scan detects the abnormalities, your doctor cannot identify the reason behind malformation. In such cases, either a repeat test or genetic counseling is recommended.
- Certain abnormalities like major cardiac issues, bowel obstructions, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, hydrocephalus, microcephaly, club foot, kidney or intestinal obstruction may evolve during the later phase of pregnancy. The evolving variations cannot be diagnosed in an anomaly scan. Your fetal expert may recommend a repeat scan between 24 and 25 weeks of gestation in such situations.
- Some findings may not be anomalies but require scan follow-ups, biochemical testing or invasive testing. Some findings may be transient and may change with time
- Specialized Fetal Echo (heart study) or extended neurosonography (brain study) will be done if the referred doctor prescribes the same. Even if the brain may look normal on ultrasound examination, its function cannot be evaluated.
- Some anomalies like soft tissue fusion of fingers/toes, absence of anal opening or absence of auditory opening may not be recognizable by ultrasonography.
- Cleft lip found deep inside the mouth is a very challenging factor to be diagnosed with an ultrasound scan.
- Other factors such as the patient’s build, scars from a previous operation and the way the baby is positioned may limit the diagnostic ability of this test.
- Several factors like gestational age at which scan is done, the fetal position at the time of the scan, maternal body habitus, liquor volume, and shadows from fetal parts may restrict/limit the visibility of this scan.
- Ultrasound markers have only 50 to 70% capability to suspect chromosomal Consequently, invasive procedures for Identifying Down’s syndrome may be the best option. Your fetal expert can advise you on these procedures.
- Multiple gestations (twin/triplet pregnancies ) may cause difficulties in ultrasound examination due to fetal position and overlap.
- Even specialized fetal echocardiography (heart study) cannot pick certain cardiac anomalies such as Secundum ASD, small VSD, PDA, A heart hole lesser than 5mm is also hard to diagnose in an anomaly scan.
- Obesity is a special challenge for ultrasonography. The fat in the mother’s abdominal wall absorbs the ultrasound energy, thus degrading the images and making the diagnosis very difficult.
- 3D/4D ultrasound is used only to assess certain abnormalities and is not a routine.
- The study of the genital organs is prohibited under the PC & PNDT Hence detection of abnormalities of genital organs is not feasible.
Best Anomaly Scan Centre in salem
Mediplus Scans at Fairlands is many moms-to-be’s top choice for Anomaly Scan in Salem.(Refer patient ‘s testimonials)
Getting your anomaly scan at Mediplus Scans means you can entrust your baby’s welfare in the hands of well trained fetal medicine speacialist , Dr.Nivethitha,Mediplus scans and labs – who got trained under the pioneers of fetal medicine Dr. Suresh S., Dr. Indrani Suresh and Dr. Sudarshan Suresh – Mediscan Systems, Chennai.
Getting your anomaly scan at Mediplus Scans means you can entrust your baby’s welfare in the hands of well trained fetal medicine speacialist , Dr.Nivethitha,Mediplus scans and labs – who got trained under the pioneers of fetal medicine Dr. Suresh S., Dr. Indrani Suresh and Dr. Sudarshan Suresh – Mediscan Systems, Chennai.
Is the anomaly scan safe for the baby?
Yes, the anomaly scan is safe for the baby. It utilizes low-intensity ultrasound waves, which doesn’t harm the growing fetus.
Will anomaly scan be painful?
No. Anomaly scans are not painful.
Mediplus scans and labs being one of the best places for anomaly scan in salem gives the assurance of taking one step further in providing the most comfortable, safe, and clean scanning experience.
Mediplus scans and labs being one of the best places for anomaly scan in salem gives the assurance of taking one step further in providing the most comfortable, safe, and clean scanning experience.
