Fetal growth

Fetal growth

Fetal growth is associated with intense somatic and functional changes Growth = quantitative acquisition of body weight Development = qualitative changes associated with cell and tissue differentiation of individual organ systems and their subsequent functional maturing Insulin + IGF-1 (Insulin-like growth factor 1) = main growth factors during fetal development and early postnatal…

Microcephaly & Macrocephaly

Microcephaly & Macrocephaly

Primary prerequisite for the diagnosis of microcephaly/macrocephaly is the proper horizontal head circumference (HC) measurement (frontal-occipital circumference): supine position glabella – opisthocranion as anchor points normocephaly (32-38 cm for a term newborn) => refer to percentile graphs for your hospital, region or country percentile graphs for preterm population (Fenton graphs) sexual dimorphism…

Congenital anomalies of nervous system

Congenital anomalies of nervous system

Congenital anomalies of nervous system can be detected by the prenatal screening (ultrasound – hydrocephalus, anencephalus; biochemistry using alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) – elevated in amniotic fluid and maternal serum in neural tube defects).  Postnatal investigations include proper clinical examination (proper head circumference measurement, neurologic symptoms, septic workup) and imaging (cranial ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging…