**5. Risk factors**

In the present study, 80 of the pregnancies (70.7%) were without risk factors, and only 33 (29.3%) were under the influence of such. The risk factors were grouped into three categories: obstetric risk factors from past events, risk factors due to diseases of the mother, and exogenous risk factors.


The term of pregnancy termination is presented in **Figure 1**. Most interrupted pregnancies are between the 20th and 24th gestational weeks. Six pregnancies were carried to birth.

**6. Anthropometric characteristics of the fetuses**

the smallest fetus being 13 gestational weeks (**Figure 1**).

**7. System anomalies of the fetus**

**Figure 2.** Motives for pregnancy termination.

in **Table 1**.

**Distribution of lethal hydrocephalus by gender (sex ratio).** The genders were equally affected, but the mean weight of male fetuses (842.17 ± 115.2) was less than that of female fetuses (892.06 ± 101.1), without the difference being statistically significant (*u* = 0.51, *p* > 0.05). **Age of the fetus.** The average pregnancy term in the entire study is 24 ± 0.45 gestational weeks. The fetal expulsion in two-thirds of the cases occurred before the 24th gestational week, with

Correlations between Ultrasound and Pathology in Fetal Ventricular System Anomalies

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.71934

75

**Fetus weight.** The average weight of the fetuses is 865.99 ± 809.8 g with a range of 23–3800 g. It is worth noting that 50 fetuses (44.2%) weigh less than the corresponding gestational age.

The head, extremities, and respiratory system anomalies associated with FHLO are presented

The cardiovascular system abnormalities are a total of 32 and are from all groups. The digestive system abnormalities are 56 and are broken down into groups: mesenteric (affecting the small intestine and colon), parenchymal (affecting the liver and spleen), anal imperforation (affecting the terminal part of the intestines), gall bladder agenesis, and situs inversus. The parenchymal and mesenteric abnormalities are evenly distributed. The gender abnormalities are present in both male and female fetuses with a ratio of female to male of 8:7. Hermaphroditism was established in four (3.5%) fetuses. The fatal hydrocephalus-associated anomalies of the

cardiovascular, digestive, excretory, and genital systems are presented in **Table 2**.

**Motives for pregnancy termination.** Interruption of pregnancy due to medical reasons was performed in 87 cases (77%); spontaneous abortions were 13 (11.5%), and there was 1 voluntary abortion (0.9%). There were 2 live births (1.8%) and 2 stillbirths (1.8%). In eight of the cases (7%), there is no information on the motive for pregnancy interruption (**Figure 2**).

**Figure 1.** Term of pregnancy termination.

Correlations between Ultrasound and Pathology in Fetal Ventricular System Anomalies http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.71934 75

**Figure 2.** Motives for pregnancy termination.

**5. Risk factors**

(1.8%), and epilepsy—3 (2.7%).

74 Congenital Anomalies - From the Embryo to the Neonate

**Figure 1.** Term of pregnancy termination.

In the present study, 80 of the pregnancies (70.7%) were without risk factors, and only 33 (29.3%) were under the influence of such. The risk factors were grouped into three categories: obstetric risk factors from past events, risk factors due to diseases of the mother, and exogenous risk factors.

**1. Obstetric risk factors.** This group includes spontaneous abortions—13 (11.5%), voluntary abortions—1 (0.9%), birth of a child with malformations—11 (9.8%), stillbirths—2 (1.8%),

**2. Endogenous risk factors.** The risk factors from the mother include maternal age, hypertension—1 (0.9%), diabetes mellitus—2 (1.8%), bronchial asthma—2 (1.8%), thalassemia—2

**3. Exogenous risk factors.** Exogenous risk factors for the pregnancy include pregnancies carried in geographical areas near mines and underground mineral water deposits and consanguineous marriages. In our study, the pregnancies from geographic regions with mining and underwater mineral water deposits were 5 (4.4%). Supplementation with folic acid is mandatory in Tunisia and Bulgaria. There were no women without folic acid supplementation.

The term of pregnancy termination is presented in **Figure 1**. Most interrupted pregnancies are

**Motives for pregnancy termination.** Interruption of pregnancy due to medical reasons was performed in 87 cases (77%); spontaneous abortions were 13 (11.5%), and there was 1 voluntary abortion (0.9%). There were 2 live births (1.8%) and 2 stillbirths (1.8%). In eight of the cases (7%), there is no information on the motive for pregnancy interruption (**Figure 2**).

between the 20th and 24th gestational weeks. Six pregnancies were carried to birth.

multifetal pregnancy—2 (1.8%), and multi-year sterility—4 (3.5%).
