NORMAL 3D/4D-ECHOGRAPHIC ANATOMY OF THE EMBRYONIC AND FETAL CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM IN THE FIRST TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY

Subjects objective. To investigate the capabilities of current 3D/4D echography in studying the normally developing structures of the embryonic and fetal brain in the first trimester of pregnancy. Material and methods. The experience in using transabdominal and transvaginal 3D/4D echography in 114 healthy pregnant women at 5—14 weeks gestational age served as a material. The parietococcygeal length in the embryos and fetuses varied from 3 to 75 mm. After birth, all the babies were found to have no neurological symptoms. Results. The quantitative changes in the echographic image of certain brain structures in the first trimester of pregnancy allowed 9 stages to be identified in the ontogenetic development of the brain. The use of 3D/4D echography permits visualization of brain structures irrespective of the location of an embryo in the uterine cavity. Conclusion. 3D/4D ultrasound has been shown to be of high informative value in identifying certain embryonic and fetal brain structures at 7 weeks of gestation, which forms the basis for the early detection of central nervous system malformations.

3D/4D echography, first trimester of pregnancy, brain structures, embryo