What Are the Most Common Severe Fetal Abnormalities?
Several severe fetal abnormalities are commonly encountered:
- Neural Tube Defects: Conditions like spina bifida and anencephaly, where the neural tube does not close properly during early development. - Congenital Heart Defects: Structural defects in the heart, such as Tetralogy of Fallot or hypoplastic left heart syndrome. - Chromosomal Abnormalities: Including Down syndrome (trisomy 21), Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18), and Patau syndrome (trisomy 13). - Cystic Fibrosis: A genetic disorder affecting the lungs and digestive system. - Diaphragmatic Hernia: When the diaphragm does not form correctly, allowing abdominal organs to move into the chest cavity.
