Relevance of soft markers.as detected in foetus at USG on 16018 weksof pregancy

^{The use of ultrasound in pregnancy has significant health and economic outcomes for families and the health care system, compared with no ultrasound use. There is no doubt that at least one  single "routine" ultrasound evaluation at 16 to 20 weeks in all pregnancies. But we fail to realsize that often we forget that  Ultrasound screening at 16 to 20 weeks is one of the most common genetic screening and (or) diagnostic tests used during pregnancy. The practical concern for ultrasound screening is false-positive and false-negative (missed or not present) results. But how many of us remember that this time USG (TIFA ) is almost  always correlates with  ultrasound "soft markers" used in fetal genetic screening. But we seldom keep this in mind.}

^{The use and understanding of ultrasound soft markers and their screening relative risks is an important option in the care of pregnant women. Currently, the presence of a "significant" ultrasound marker adds risk to the likelihood of fetal pathology, but the absence of soft markers, except in controlled situations, but we should keep in mind that the absence of soft markers should not be used to reduce fetal risk.}

^{What we are usually lacking due to possibly to work load:-Patients need to be counselled about the positive and negative findings that ultrasound may reveal so they are prepared for unexpected pregnancy knowledge and the possibility of further testing options being offered.  The screening ultrasound at 16 to 20 weeks should evaluate 8 markers,}

^{,Type A: Soft markers:-  Of eight soft markers  as many as  5 of which are associated with an increased risk of fetal aneuploidy, though in some such soft markers , in some cases are associated with  no chromosomal problems like FGR, PTL etc..   Such 5 soft markers are thickened nuchal fold, echogenic bowel, mild ventriculomegaly, echogenic focus in the heart, and choroid plexus cyst. Identification of soft markers for fetal aneuploidy requires correlation with other risk factors, including history, maternal age, and maternal serum testing results, Soft markers identify a significant increase in fetal risk for genetic disease. Timely referral for confirmation, counseling, and investigation is required to maximize management options}  

^{,Type B Soft markers:- :--There are other  3 soft markers which are rarely associated with chromosomal malformations  and sometimes correlates with some nonchromosoanl structural abnormality. Such  three soft markers are  single umbilical artery, enlarged cisterna magna, and pyelectasis. These soft markerfs are often only associated with an increased risk of no chromosomal abnormalities when seen in isolation.}