Things to know about 3D and 4D ultrasound to detect fetal malformations

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Le Hong Lien - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital. Doctor Lien has over 10 years of experience as a radiologist in the Department of Ultrasound at the leading hospital in the field of obstetrics and gynecology in the South - Tu Du Hospital.
3D, 4D ultrasound is an effective paraclinical method for doctors in diagnosing and monitoring pregnant women and fetuses. In particular, 3D, 4D ultrasound also helps you detect fetal abnormalities early.

1. What is 3D, 4D ultrasound?

4D ultrasound is an ultrasound that has 3 dimensions of space and 1 dimension of time. With the technology of this ultrasound machine, mothers can see their angel's face, hands, feet, and actions. Thanks to that, the doctor can detect fetal malformations, abnormal risks to have timely treatment methods to ensure the baby's development and mother's health.
3D ultrasound is a 3-dimensional ultrasound, with many different angles and especially at the same time can capture thousands of images, providing clear 3D images, not only can see the organs and tissues of the fetus, but also clearly shows the face and delicate features of the fetus.

2. Benefits of 3D, 4D . ultrasound

3D ultrasound and 4D ultrasound provide a new dimension allowing the baby to be seen from many angles. It can show a baby picture that is clearer, more like a baby at birth, and provides more information than 2D ultrasound results. Currently, 3D and 4D color ultrasound machines are commonly used in general clinics and hospitals. The 4D ultrasound displays a sequence of images, allowing parents to see their baby smiling, moving their hands and feet, or sucking their thumb. Unlike 2D ultrasound, 3D ultrasound and 4D ultrasound also show the baby's outer skin, limbs and organs of the fetal body. However, the images are not always perfect. Sometimes the pictures may be blurry, thin or distorted due to the baby's position, problems with the device. In this case it does not mean that the baby has a problem. With 3D ultrasound and 4D ultrasound, determining fetal sex is also more accurate. 3D ultrasound is slightly better at predicting a boy's sex early, but accuracy depends on the sonographer's "skill". If the baby is in a favorable position, the sex prediction is about 90% accurate after 16 weeks. According to medical experts, during pregnancy, pregnant women should be monitored with both 3D ultrasound and 2D ultrasound. 2D ultrasound detects fetal abnormalities and 3D ultrasound can confirm the diagnosis, providing more specific information about the problem. 3D ultrasound can accurately diagnose certain brain abnormalities on “soft spots” in the skull during the 15th or 16th week of pregnancy.
In addition, the 4D ultrasound during pregnancy depends on the health of the pregnant mother and the condition of the fetus that the doctor will appoint more or less ultrasound.
4D ultrasound also does not cause malformations to the fetus, but on the contrary, it also helps doctors to accurately detect and diagnose abnormalities such as cleft palate, brain defects... Since then , take timely remedial measures.

3. The best 3D, 4D ultrasound address

Vinmec International General Hospital is a prestigious medical facility with high quality of examination and treatment, especially in maternity care. Currently, Vinmec offers a comprehensive maternity care package with outstanding quality; In there, there is an early maternity care program from week 12, week 27 using 3D and 4D ultrasound methods to help detect fetal malformations.
With the 12-week Maternity Care Package, 3D and 4D ultrasound screening for fetal malformations will be performed 4 times:
Time 1: Weeks from 11 to 14 Purpose to determine pregnancy, fetal position (intrauterine or ectopic), fetal status, number of fetuses, most accurate due date (+/- 3 days), nuchal translucency measurement to screen for Down syndrome, detect some fetal abnormalities early as anencephaly, cervical lymphatic cyst, umbilical hernia The fetus with thick nape of the neck will have a high risk of Down syndrome, this group will be consulted for amniotic cell test to help confirm the diagnosis. A fetus with a normal nape does not mean a normal pregnancy, it just means that the risk of Down syndrome is low, 25% of Down syndrome has a normal nuchal translucency. Second time: Weeks from 17 to 19 times 3: Weeks from 20 to 23: The purpose of the 3rd ultrasound is to survey the morphology of the fetus, detect fetal abnormalities. This is the ideal time for an investigation because the fetus is large enough and the amniotic fluid is most extensive. 4th time: Weeks from 31 to 34: The purpose of this last ultrasound is to assess the health of the fetus, detect cases of intrauterine growth retardation and some late-appearing fetal malformations. With the 27-week Maternity Care Package, 3D and 4D ultrasound screening for fetal malformations will be performed once a week from 31 to 34. In addition, after birth, the baby will be cared for in the room. sterile before being returned to the mother. Pregnant women will rest in a high-class hospital room, designed according to international hotel standards, 1 mother 1 room with full facilities and modern equipment. Mothers will be consulted by nutritionists on how to feed the baby before being discharged from the hospital. Postpartum follow-up with both mother and baby with leading Obstetricians and Pediatricians.
Besides, choosing maternity care packages of Vinmec International General Hospital is a wise choice for pregnant women because of the following advantages:
Top medical experts: Vinmec gathers a team experts, doctors, pharmacists and nurses with high professional qualifications, good skills, dedication and professionalism, always putting patients at the center Professional services, international standards: Vinmec Health System managed and operated under the supervision of experienced medical managers, with the support of modern technical facilities, to ensure comprehensive and effective healthcare service delivery. . Comprehensive and professional medical examination, consultation and treatment services; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space. The most modern equipment in the world: Invest in advanced medical equipment, equivalent to leading hospitals in the US, UK, Germany, Japan and Singapore... to provide maximum support for diagnostic work. diagnosis and treatment. With the criterion of constantly increasing service quality, Vinmec hopes that with the package maternity and childbirth services, it not only fully meets but also exceeds the expectations of customers, worthy of investment. for the health of the mother and the future of the child.

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