What is an anomaly Scan?
An anomaly scan in pregnancy is one of the crucial prenatal tests that helps find any abnormality in the fetus.
The best time for anomaly scan is usually around 18 to 24 weeks of gestation.
With an anomaly scan, the healthcare provider can carefully examine the baby’s organs and identify any potential complications or birth defects.
Anomaly Scan at Jammi Scans
What does anomaly scan detect?
Anomaly scan is typically done to detect any physical abnormalities in the baby.
This scan checks organs including the baby’s head, neck, spine, and arms and legs. It also checks if the baby’s heart has all 4 chambers and cleft lip and palette.
Which week is best for an anomaly scan?
The best week for anomaly scan is usually between 18 and 24 weeks of pregnancy.
This particular period of gestation is the best time frame to visualize the baby’s structures and anatomy to provide information on the risk of birth defects or abnormalities.
During the 20 week scan heart abnormalities like holes larger than 5mm or any malformation in the arteries can be clearly seen.
Will the Anomaly Scan Provide 100% Confirmation Of The Structural Development?
The answer is NO.
However, the anomaly scan is highly accurate, yet it cannot detect 100% of structural abnormalities.
While most babies are born healthy, only a small percentage of them stand the risk of developing complications.
An anomaly scan cannot detect such complications that evolve during the later phases of gestation.
What if there are signs of a problem in an Anomaly Scan?
If your anomaly scan shows any abnormalities, the defect revealed will be studied in detail. Following that, your doctor offers you genetic counseling.
How to Prepare for an Anomaly Scan?
However, a full bladder is not necessary for an anomaly scan. The gynecologist may ask the expectant mother to drink enough water to fill her bladder in certain conditions.
Thus, it helps lift the uterus and gives a clear picture of the fetus. Likewise, it is necessary to wear comfortable or loose-fitting clothes.
Do not apply oil or lotion to the belly.
Can I Eat Before Anomaly Scan?
Yes, you can eat before the anomaly scan. However, your gynecologist may ask you to avoid eating gas-producing foods, like broccoli or beans, as they may cause discomfort during the scan.
What is the Anomaly Scan Procedure?
An anomaly Scan Procedure is : the pregnant mother is asked to lie down comfortably on the examination table in the scanning station.
A thick layer of water-based gel is applied to the abdomen area to ensure that the probe can glide smoothly on the abdomen and provide good-quality images.
The sonographers use high-tech scanning equipment that emits high-frequency sound waves to produce quality images of the baby for accurate results.
These results will then be analyzed by the fetal medicine specialist.
How Much Time Does an Anomaly Scan Take?
Although the anomaly scan duration can vary, it takes around 20-30 minutes on average to thoroughly examine the fetus.
Our fetal medicine expert Dr. Deepthi Jammi ensures to examine all the structures of the baby to provide accurate results.
How to Change a Baby’s Position for an Anomaly Scan?
However, it is quite similar to an NT scan. Your gynecologist might ask the expectant mother to try again after a break.
A sugary drink, chocolate, sweets, and a gentle movement may help the baby move to a better position.
What is a normal anomaly scan report?
A normal 20 week anomaly scan report specifies no structural abnormalities or birth defects that are detected during the examination.
What is an abnormal anomaly scan report?
An anomaly scan abnormal report is the direct opposite of the 20 week anomaly scan normal report.
It indicates the presence of any potential structural abnormalities or birth defects. In the 20 week scan brain abnormalities like cerebrum and cerebellum or other issues can arise and it is stated as abnormal in an anomaly scan report.
This abnormal anomaly scan report requires further levels of evaluation and screening by a fetal expert in order to be analyzed.
What Happens if You Get an Abnormal Anomaly Scan Report?
Anomaly scan Abnormalities need further rounds of screening with a fetal medicine expert to diagnose the issue. Our team of experts at Jammi Scans will guide you through this and provide the necessary information and support.
Can we do Anomaly Scan Twice?
It is not necessary to perform the anomaly scan twice. In some cases, the healthcare provider may advise taking a follow-up scan to observe the development and growth of the fetus.
What is the difference between an NT Scan and Anomaly Scan?
Can an anomaly scan detect Down syndrome?
An anomaly scan is mainly to see the structures of the baby; it can only detect 50–70% of the chromosomal abnormalities like down syndrome.
Hence it is also known as chromosomal anomaly scan. But for accurate results, it is recommended to take specific screenings like NIPT and other tests for assessing the risks of Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities.
Can abnormalities develop after an anomaly scan?
Yes, there are quite a few abnormalities that may develop after the anomaly scan.
Since an anomaly ultrasound in pregnancy is taken around the 5th month of gestation, there are chances of abnormalities happening after this period. But around 97% of babies are born healthy, and only a few are born with certain abnormalities.
This is exactly why regular prenatal screening is essential to monitor the baby.
Limitations of the anomaly scan
- Though the anomaly scan detects the abnormalities, your doctor cannot identify the reason behind malformation. In such cases, either a repeat test or genital counseling is recommended.
- Certain abnormalities like major cardiac issues, bowel obstructions, congenital diaphragmatic, hernia, hydrocephalus, microcephaly, club foot, kidney or intestinal obstruction may evolve during the later phase of pregnancy. The evolving variations cannot be diagnosed in an anomaly scan. Your fetal expert may recommend a repeat scan between 24 and 25 weeks of gestation in such situations.
- Some findings may not be anomalies but require scan follow-ups, biochemical testing or invasive testing. Some findings may be transient and may change with time
- Specialized Fetal Echo (heart study) or extended neurosonography (brain study) will be done if the referred doctor prescribes the same. Even if the brain may look normal on ultrasound examination, its function cannot be evaluated.
- Some anomalies like soft tissue fusion of fingers/toes, absence of anal opening or absence of auditory opening may not be recognizable by ultrasonography.
- Cleft lip found deep inside the mouth is a very challenging factor to be diagnosed with an ultrasound scan.
- Other factors such as the patient’s build, scars from a previous operation and the way the baby is positioned may limit the diagnostic ability of this test.
- Several factors like gestational age at which scan is done, the fetal position at the time of the scan, maternal body habitus, liquor volume, and shadows from fetal parts may restrict/limit the visibility of this scan.
- Ultrasound markers have only 50 to 70% capability to diagnose chromosomal anomalies. Consequently, invasive procedures for identifying Down's syndrome may be the best option. Your fetal expert can advise you on these procedures.
- Multiple gestations (twin/triplet pregnancies etc.) may cause difficulties in ultrasound examination due to fetal position and overlap.
- Even specialized fetal echocardiography (heart study) cannot pick certain cardiac anomalies such as Secundum ASD, small VSD, PDA, etc. A heart hole lesser than 5mm is also hard to diagnose in an anomaly scan.
- Obesity is a special challenge for ultrasonography. The fat in the mother’s abdominal wall absorbs the ultrasound energy, thus degrading the images and making the diagnosis very difficult.
- 3D/4D ultrasound is used only to assess certain abnormalities and is not a routine.
- The study of the genital organs is prohibited under the PC & PNDT Act. Hence detection of abnormalities of genital organs is not feasible.
Conclusion
Looking for Anomaly scan near me? Jammi scans, T nagar is one of the best anomaly scan centres in Chennai. Book Your Anomaly Scan in Chennai Today with Jammi Scans. Chennai.
Anomaly test during pregnancy is one of the crucial steps. Do not miss out on any prenatal screening, as it involves the health of both the mother and the fetus.
Frequently Asked Questions
01. Is the anomaly scan safe for the baby?
Yes, the anomaly scan is safe for the baby. It utilizes low-intensity ultrasound waves, which doesn’t harm the growing fetus.
02. Will I receive the results of the anomaly scan immediately?
You will receive the anomaly scan report immediately from Jammi Scans. It may differ depending on your scan centre.
03. Can my partner or family member come with me to the anomaly scan?
Yes, most healthcare providers allow your partner or family member to accompany you during the anomaly scan. Visitors may be restricted in some medical centers or hospitals due to COVID-19 restrictions.
04. Will anomaly scan be painful?
No. Anomaly scans are not painful.
Jammi Scans being one of the best places for anomaly scan in Chennai gives the assurance of taking one step further in providing the most comfortable, safe, and clean scanning experience.
05. How much does an anomaly scan cost in Chennai?
Anomaly scan in Chennai price may vary depending on the scan center and location.
