[The reliability of prenatal echographic studies of neural tube defects; a prospective study].

OBJECTIVE

To determine the accuracy of antenatal ultrasound investigation in the detection of neural tube defects.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

University Hospital Utrecht.

METHOD: Specific ultrasound investigation was carried out in 739 patients at risk for carrying a fetus with a neural tube defect.

RESULTS

The sensitivity of ultrasound investigation was 91.7%, the specificity 99.8%, the positive predictive value 84.6% and the negative predictive value 99.9%.

CONCLUSION

In our view expert ultrasonographic examination with appropriate counselling is an acceptable alternative for patients with a moderately increased risk of having a foetus with NTD and sufficiently accurate to replace invasive diagnostic procedures.