WAPM-World Association of Perinatal Medicine Practice Guidelines: Fetal central nervous system examination

Abstract

These practice guidelines follow the mission of the World Association of Perinatal Medicine in collaboration with the Perinatal Medicine Foundation, bringing together groups and individuals throughout the world, with the goal of improving the ultrasound assessment of the fetal Central Nervous System (CNS) anatomy. In fact, this document provides further guidance for healthcare practitioners for the evaluation of the fetal CNS during the mid-trimester ultrasound scan with the aim to increase the ability in evaluating normal fetal anatomy. Therefore, it is not intended to establish a legal standard of care. This document is based on consensus among perinatal experts throughout the world, and serves as a guideline for use in clinical practice.

Keywords: WAPM; anatomy scan; central nervous system; fetal brain; fetal spine; guidelines; second trimester.