Prognostic Features and Long-Term Outcome in Patients with Isolated Fetal Ventriculomegaly.

OBJECTIVE: In order to provide aid for prenatal counseling in fetal isolated ventriculomegaly (IVM) on ultrasound, we recorded the latest long-term clinical and imaging outcomes of children with a mean age of 7.2 years (range 2.1-14.6).

METHODS: In 72 fetuses with IVM, diagnosed between 1999 and 2011, the measurement quality of atrial diameter was reviewed in the axial plane. We assessed the association of characteristics of IVM with outcome parameters in the cohort and in subgroups. Prognostic values of significant associations were reported by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

RESULTS: Cerebral anomalies were diagnosed postnatally in 42% and genetic disorders in 12% of 45 live births. Significant associations of outcome parameters were found between the degree of IVM and genetic disorders (p = 0.017) with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.866, and between progression of IVM and motor impairment (p = 0.024) with an AUC of 0.789. No significant correlation was found with the other assessed outcome parameters. Furthermore, our subgroup analysis clearly showed that, if cerebral or genetic anomalies are not found postnatally, a favorable outcome may be expected.

DISCUSSION: Diameter and progression in IVM are not significantly associated with most outcome parameters. Cerebral anomalies and genetic disorders may contribute to an unfavorable outcome.