PRENATAL AND NEONATAL ULTRASOUND SCREENING IN THE EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF CONGENITAL MALFORMATIONS OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM: A PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of prenatal and neonatal ultrasound screening in the early detection of congenital malformations of the digestive organs. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted involving 312 pregnant women and their newborns. Prenatal screening was performed at 18-22 and 30-34 weeks of gestation, and neonatal screening during the first 7 days of life. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of the method were evaluated. Results: Congenital anomalies of the digestive organs were detected in 28 (9.0%) fetuses/newborns. The sensitivity of prenatal ultrasound was 82.1%, and the specificity was 96.4%. Neonatal ultrasound increased the overall diagnostic accuracy to 94.2%. Conclusion: Combined prenatal and neonatal ultrasound screening is a highly effective method for the early diagnosis of congenital anomalies of the digestive system and facilitates timely clinical intervention. Keywords: ultrasound, prenatal diagnosis, newborns, congenital anomalies, digestive system, screening.