Does the combination of fronto‐maxillary facial angle and nasal bone evaluation improve the detection of Down syndrome in the second trimester?

Abstract

While FMF angle and NB are independent markers for DS, their combination resulted in a minimal but nonsignificant improvement in DS detection.

Fetal facial sonographic markers for second trimester Down syndrome screening in a Thai population

“…The present study of a Thai population demonstrated that FMF angle does not vary with gestational age, which is in agreement with the study by Molina et al [5]; however, some studies have given conflicting results [6,11].…”

“…Odibo et al [11] found that the combination of FMF angle and nasal bone hypoplasia did not increase the detection rate, but the present study demonstrated a significant increase in detection rate. Ethnic differences may play a significant role, and the different cut-offs for abnormal FMF angle and nasal bone hypoplasia used in the present study might also contribute to the different finding.…”

Three‐dimensional ultrasound imaging and measurement of nasal bone length, prenasal thickness and frontomaxillary facial angle in normal second‐ and third‐trimester fetuses

“…FMF angle measurement in normal second‐trimester fetuses has previously been performed by Sonek et al 5 and Odibo et al 14 using 2D ultrasound and by Molina et al 7 using 3D ultrasound. Consistent with the findings of Molina et al and in contrast to those of Sonek et al and Odibo et al , our results show a constant FMF angle measured from the palate and a slight increase in the FMF angle measured from the vomer through gestation (Figure 4), although the latter was not statistically significant, possibly due to the small number of cases.…”

Sphenofrontal distance in euploid and aneuploid fetuses

“…. The results of other single markers, such as the frontomaxillary facial angle, were promising but not good enough for use in routine screening for trisomy 21.…”