Ultrasound Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Ultrasound, including details on screening, diagnosis, pregnancy, detection. | ||||||||
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Real-time 3-D sonographic observation of fetal facial expression.Hata T, Kanenishi K, Akiyama M, Tanaka H, Kimura K Department of Perinatology and Gynecology, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Kagawa, Japan. toshi28@kms.ac.jp AIM: There have been a few reports about 3-D sonographic observation of fetal movements using dynamic 3-D sonography. However, dynamic 3-D sonography is not real-time, the frame rate being in the region of 4-6 frames per second depending on the size of the region of interest and the number of lines employed. Recently, a new faster 3-D sonography, which acquires up to 28 frames per second, has become available. Using this system, we studied a full range of fetal facial expressions during pregnancy. METHODS: A total of 17 normal fetuses in 16 pregnancies (15 singletons and one twin) at 20-38 weeks' gestation was studied using a transabdominal real-time 3-D ultrasound machine. This 3-D ultrasound machine proved capable of providing continuous 3-D sonographic images every 0.05 and 0.035 s. The fetal face was monitored for 15 min for each subject. RESULTS: Fetal eyelid movement (fetal blinking) was observed in three of 17 fetuses (17.6%). Double blinking was identified in one fetus at 38 weeks. Various types of mouth movement (yawning, a little opening, chewing, and subtle lip movement) could be observed in nine of 17 fetuses (52.9%). In the course of yawn-like opening of the mouth, tongue movements such as tongue thrust and tongue click were clearly shown in three fetuses (17.6%). A lingula movement was also identified in the course of tongue movement. CONCLUSION: Real-time 3-D sonography provides a novel means for evaluation of fetal movement, particularly fetal facial expression, in the second and third trimesters. Real-time 3-D sonography might be an important modality in future fetal behavior research and in evaluation of fetal well-being. Published 15 July 2005 in J Obstet Gynaecol Res, 31(4): 337-40.
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