ABSTRACT
Two hundred cases of double or multiple anomalies (up to five in the same fetus) out
of 828 karyotypically normal fetuses with at least one ultrasound finding were enrolled
in the present study. One hundred and sixty patterns belonging to 200 fetuses were
found. Then, we included in the final analysis only those double or triple patterns
of anomalies with frequency more then 1. Thus, 123 cases and 83 patterns were analyzed.
A double pattern was intended as any combination of ultrasound findings present in
the same fetus. Exact Chi-square test was used to evaluate the specificity of the
association of the most frequent patterns. The association of patterns was expressed
as ratio between observed and expected frequency (O/E) ratio. Pattern analysis was
used as statistical tool to calculate the number of possible associations of ultrasound
finding. Anomalies of fluid distribution, as well as Central Nervous System malformations,
and facial malformations were among the most significant associations. Among the triple
patterns, Cleft Lip + Cleft Palate + Holoprosencephaly showed the highest degree of
association. Antenatal diagnosis of ultrasound finding can benefits by considering
the present results.
KEYWORD
Ultrasound findings - normal karyotype - observed/expected ratio
