Late prenatal diagnosis of fetal trisomy 18 associated with severe intrauterine growth retardation

Early second trimester diagnosis of fetal chromosomal disorders is an accepted and important advance in perinatal medicine. Fetuses at risk are generally identified by such maternal risk factors as age, family history, or history of previously affected offspring. It has recently been proposed that fetuses with known or suspected intrauterine growth retardation are at increased risk for chromosome abnormalities and that prenatal diagnosis is indicated. We present a case to show the feasibility of this approach and to discuss its clinical application.