Prenatal detection of associated anomalies in fetuses diagnosed with cleft lip with or without cleft palate in utero

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the prenatal detection rate of associated anomalies in fetuses with a suspected cleft lip with or without cleft palate. Methods Fetuses with a suspected cleft lip with or without cleft palate, determined by prenatal ultrasound, were prospectively enrolled. Additional anomalies suspected by ultrasound or genetic testing were recorded. Postnatal outcome was obtained. Results Forty-five fetuses with a cleft lip with or without cleft palate, diagnosed prenatally with either two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional ultrasound, were studied. Postnatal follow-up revealed that 16 (35.6%) of these 45 fetuses bad an additional structural or syndromic abnormality. Of the 37 fetuses with prenatally determined 'isolated' cleft lip with or without cleft palate, eight (21.6%) bad an additional malformation identified after delivery. Conclusion In pregnancies complicated by a cleft lip with or without cleft palate, patients should be informed of the risks of associated anomalies, some of which may be undetected prenatally. Copyright (c) 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.