# Diagnostic value of prenatal ultrasound in the typing of fetal esophageal atresia

## TL;DR

This study evaluates how well prenatal ultrasound can diagnose and classify fetal esophageal atresia, finding it effective with a high confirmation rate.

## Contribution

The study provides empirical evidence on the diagnostic accuracy and classification capability of prenatal ultrasound for fetal esophageal atresia.

## Key findings

- Prenatal ultrasound confirmed 92% of esophageal atresia cases with postpartum verification.
- The classification concordance rate was 77%, with some misdiagnoses between subtypes IIIA and IIIB.
- Combined malformations were detected in 77% of cases, and chromosomal abnormalities in 15%.

## Abstract

To investigate the prenatal ultrasound image features and diagnostic value of fetal esophageal atresia (EA).

The clinical and prenatal ultrasound data of 24 fetuses with suspected esophageal atresia diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound and/or postpartum ultrasound at Shandong Maternal and Child Health Hospital between February 2022 and November 2024 were retrospectively analyzed, and the prenatal ultrasound diagnostic characteristics of different types of esophageal atresia were reviewed retrospectively.

Twenty-four cases of esophageal atresia were detected by prenatal and/or postpartum ultrasound. Among the 11 patients who were lost to follow-up or with no clear diagnosis after birth, the confirmation rate with prenatal ultrasound was 92% (12) among the 13 cases with confirmation by postpartum surgery or anatomy, with a classification concordance rate of 77% (10/13). Two cases of type IIIA EA were misdiagnosed as type IIIB, and one case of type IIIB EA was missed. The proportion of other malformations was 77% (10/13), and the detection rate of chromosomal abnormalities was 15% (2/13).

Prenatal ultrasound can be used to diagnose and assess the classification and combined malformations of esophageal atresia effectively, providing an strong basis for clinical decision-making.