Chromosomal abnormalities and neurological outcomes in fetal cerebral ventriculomegaly: a retrospective cohort analysis.

INTRODUCTION

This study investigated the incidences of chromosomal abnormalities and the neurological outcomes according to the degree of fetal cerebral ventriculomegaly.

METHODS

All women with antenatal ultrasound diagnosis of fetal cerebral ventriculomegaly were retrospectively identified from two maternal-fetal medicine units in Hong Kong from January 2014 to December 2018. Degrees of fetal ventriculomegaly were classified as mild (10-11.9 mm), moderate (12-14.9 mm), or severe (≥15 mm). Genetic investigation results were reviewed, including conventional karyotyping and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA); correlations between chromosomal abnormalities and the degree of fetal ventriculomegaly were explored. The neurological outcomes of subsequent live births were analysed to identify factors associated with developmental delay.

RESULTS

Of 84 cases (ie, pregnant women and their fetuses) included, 46 (54.8%) exhibited isolated fetal ventriculomegaly, 55 (65.5%) had mild cerebral ventriculomegaly, and 29 (34.5%) had moderate or severe cerebral ventriculomegaly. Overall, 20% (14/70) of cases had chromosomal abnormalities. Moreover, 12% (3/25) of mild isolated ventriculomegaly cases had abnormal karyotype or CMA results. The CMA provided an incremental diagnostic yield of 8.6% (6/70), compared with conventional karyotyping; 4.3% exhibited pathogenic variants and 4.3% exhibited variants of uncertain significance. Among the 53 live births in the cohort, fewer cases of mild isolated ventriculomegaly were associated with developmental delay than more severe isolated ventriculomegaly (9.7% vs 41.7%, P<0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Chromosomal microarray analysis testing should be offered to all women with fetal cerebral ventriculomegaly, including women with isolated mild ventriculomegaly. The incidence of developmental delay after birth increases with the degree of prenatal cerebral ventriculomegaly.