With advancements in sonographic technology and in understanding of the sonographic appearance of the fetus, it is now possible to identify and characterize clefts of the lip, palate, and face. This report reviews the embryology of the lip and palate, reviews the types of clefts observed and their causes, discusses the technique used in sonographic examination of the fetal face, and illustrates the sonographic appearance of facial clefts.
2 Pilu G, Reece EA, Romero R, et al: Prenatal diagnosis of craniofacial malformations with ultrasonography. Am J Obstet Gynecol1986;155:45-50.
3.
3 Bar-Ziv J, Insler V, Katz M, et al: Prenatal sonographic detection of fetal facial malformations. Israel J Med Sci1987;23:881-885.
4.
4 Salvoldelli G, Schinzel A, Schmid W: Prenatal diagnosis of cleft lip and palate by ultrasound. Prenatal Diagnosis1982;2:313-317.
5.
5 Cefalo RC, Seeds JW: Technique of early sonographic diagnosis of bilateral cleft lip and palate. Obstet Gynecol1983;62:2S-7S.
6.
6. Christ JE, Meininger MG: Real-time ultrasonography for the prenatal diagnosis of facial clefts. Birth Defects1982;18:161-167.
7.
7. Christ JE, Meininger MG: Ultrasound diagnosis of cleft lip and cleft palate before birth. Plast Reconstr Surg1981;68:854-859.
8.
8. Moore KL: The Developing Human, Clinically Oriented Embryology, 3rd ed, Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, 1982;201-213.
9.
9. Cohen MM, Gorlin RJ, Pindorg JJ: Syndromes of the Head and Neck. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1976;110-111, 176-177.
10.
10. Fraser Roberts JA, Pembrey ME: An Introduction to Medial Genetics. London: Oxford University Press, 1979;272-273.
11.
11. Callen PW, Filly RA, Mahony BS, et al: The amniotic band syndrome: Antenatal sonographic diagnosis and potential pitfalls. Am J Obstet Gynecol1985;152:63-63.
12.
12. Elejalde BR, Elejalde M: Visualization of the fetal face by ultrasound. l Craniofac Genet Dev Biol1984;4:251-257.
13.
13. Marsh JL, Vannier MV: Comprehensive Care for Craniofacial Deformities. Chicago: C.V. Mosby, 1985;291-325.
