A multigravida came for routine antenatal check up. She had a history of medical termination of pregnancy due to fetus with anencephaly. Anencephaly is best diagnosed in the present pregnancy by using:
Anencephaly is a lethal defect characterized by absence of the brain and cranium above the base of the skull and orbits. In the first half of pregnancy, the diagnosis made by elevated alpha-feto protein in amniotic fluid and confirmed by sonography. Inability to obtain a view of the biparietal diameter should raise suspicion. Hydramnios from impaired fetal swallowing is common in the third trimester. Ref: Leveno K.J., Hauth J.C., Rouse D.J., Spong C.Y. (2010). Chapter 13. Prenatal Diagnosis and Fetal Therapy. In K.J. Leveno, J.C. Hauth, D.J. Rouse, C.Y. Spong (Eds), Williams Obstetrics, 23e.
Maternal Alpha fetoprotein
Amniotic fluid beta hCG
USG
X-ray