First trimester identification of fetal sex by ultrasound

Abstract

The hypothesis was fetal sex determination by ultrasound at 11-14 weeks' gestation has su cient accuracy to be clinically relevant. MethodsFetal sex assessment by transabdominal ultrasound was performed in 567 fetuses at 11-14 weeks' gestation (CRL: 45-84 mm). A midsagittal view of the genital region was obtained. The angle of the genital tubercle to a horizontal line through the lumbosacral skin surface was measured. The fetus was assigned male sex if the angle was > 30 degrees, and female sex if the genital tubercle was parallel or convergent (< 10 degrees). At an intermediate angle of 10-30 degrees the sex was not assigned. The results were divided into three categories based on gestational age: 11 + 2 to 12 + 1, 12 + 2 to 13 + 1, and 13 + 2 to 14 + 1 weeks' gestation. To establish its accuracy, the rst trimester fetal sex determination was compared to fetal sex determined on a mid-second trimester ultrasound. ResultsSex assignment was successful in 534/683 (78%) of the cases. The overall accuracy of fetal sex assignment across all gestational ages studied was 94.4%. It was 88.3%, 94.7%, and 98.6% at 11 + 2 to 12 + 1, 12 + 2 to 13 + 1, and 13 + 2 to 14 + 1 weeks' gestation, respectively. ConclusionPrenatal sex assignment at the time of rst trimester ultrasound screening has a high accuracy rate. The accuracy improved with increasing gestational age, which suggests that if clinically important decisions, such as chorionic villus sampling, are to be made based on fetal sex, they should be delayed until the latter part of the rst trimester. What Does This Study Add To Clinical WorkThe purpose of this manuscript was to assess the accuracy of fetal sex determination during a routine ultrasound examination in the rst trimester between 11 and 14 weeks' gestation.Ultrasonography can be helpful in determining risk assessment of sex-linked genetic conditions, speci cally X-linked recessive conditions affecting males, and accuracy with fetal sex identi cation in the rst trimester could provide for earlier detection for counseling and/or treatment.

High sensitivity and specificity in fetal gender identification in the first trimester, using ultrasound and Noninvasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS) in twin pregnancies, a prospective study

“…7 Schaefer et al reported (in a cohort that included 502 singleton pregnancies and 31 sets of twins) that when sex assignment was possible (in 22% of their cohort they were unable to assign gender) the overall accuracy of fetal sex assignment was 94.4%. 13 While Efrat et.al. found a higher accuracy for sex determination in cases of female fetuses compared to males, Schaefer et al couldn't demonstrate a connection between fetal gender and sex determination accuracy.…”

“…found a higher accuracy for sex determination in cases of female fetuses compared to males, Schaefer et al couldn't demonstrate a connection between fetal gender and sex determination accuracy. 7,13 Currently, we have demonstrated that in twin pregnancy ultrasound in the rst trimester and especiallyCRL of 55 mm is also an accurate tool for sex determination in twin pregnancy with an accuracy rate of 87.7% in CRL 55-67 mm and 91.5% in CRL 67-84 mm. We also demonstrated that male fetuses have a signi cantly higher chance of gender misassignment when compared to female fetuses.…”