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What Does an Anomaly Scan Detect in Pregnancy?

The Anomaly Scan, also known as the Level II Ultrasound, is a crucial mid-pregnancy screening performed between 18 to 22 weeks. This detailed scan helps assess the baby’s growth, development, and overall well-being, ensuring early detection of any abnormalities.

At our fetal medicine center in Kolkata, we offer advanced anomaly scans to provide expectant parents with comprehensive insights into their baby’s health.

1️⃣ Fetal Anatomy Examination

The anomaly scan provides a detailed view of the baby’s organs and structures, including:
Brain and skull – Detects neural tube defects like spina bifida
Heart – Identifies congenital heart defects (fetal echocardiography in Kolkata may be recommended for further evaluation)
Face – Checks for cleft lip and palate
Limbs – Assesses proper development of arms, legs, fingers, and toes
Spine – Screens for spinal deformities

👉 This scan is crucial for ensuring your baby’s structural development is progressing normally.

2️⃣ Detection of Structural Abnormalities

The anomaly scan in Kolkata is performed by fetal medicine specialists to identify:
🔹 Brain abnormalities (Hydrocephalus, Anencephaly)
🔹 Heart defects (Congenital Heart Disease)
🔹 Kidney issues (Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney, Hydronephrosis)
🔹 Limb abnormalities (Clubfoot, Skeletal Dysplasia)
🔹 Facial defects (Cleft Lip, Micrognathia)

Early detection allows for better medical planning and management of high-risk pregnancies.

3️⃣ Monitoring Fetal Growth

The anomaly scan also checks if the baby is growing as expected. Key parameters measured include:
Head circumference (HC)
Abdominal circumference (AC)
Femur length (FL)

👉 If any growth concerns arise, fetal growth monitoring in Kolkata is recommended for continued assessment.

4️⃣ Assessing Amniotic Fluid Levels

Amniotic fluid is vital for fetal movement and lung development. The anomaly scan helps detect:
🔹 Low amniotic fluid (Oligohydramnios) – Can indicate placental insufficiency or fetal kidney issues
🔹 Excess amniotic fluid (Polyhydramnios) – May be linked to diabetes, fetal swallowing issues, or chromosomal abnormalities

Abnormal fluid levels may require additional screening at our fetal medicine clinic in Kolkata.

Why Get an Anomaly Scan at Our Fetal Medicine Center?

Best fetal medicine doctor in Kolkata for expert evaluation
Comprehensive prenatal diagnostics in Kolkata
Advanced fetal medicine services in Kolkata for high-risk pregnancies
Maternal-fetal care in Kolkata for ongoing monitoring

Book Your Anomaly Scan Today!

Ensure your baby’s health and development with an anomaly scan at our fetal care clinic in Kolkata. Early screening leads to better pregnancy outcomes!

💙 Your Baby’s Health is Our Priority! 💙

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Pre-eclampsia Screening: Early Detection for a Healthier Pregnancy

Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy-related condition characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine, affecting 5 to 8% of pregnancies. It can lead to complications for both the mother and baby if left undiagnosed. However, early screening in the first trimester—done at the time of the Nuchal Translucency (NT) scan—can help identify women at risk and allow for timely medical intervention.

At our fetal medicine center in Kolkata, we offer advanced prenatal screening for pre-eclampsia to ensure optimal maternal and fetal health.

What is Pre-eclampsia?

Pre-eclampsia typically develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy and can cause:
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Protein in the urine (proteinuria)
Swelling in the hands, face, and legs
Severe headaches and vision disturbances
Complications affecting the liver, kidneys, and placenta

First Trimester Pre-eclampsia Screening

Pre-eclampsia screening is done between 11 to 14 weeks of pregnancy as part of the NT scan and first trimester combined screening at our prenatal ultrasound clinic in Kolkata. This screening assesses:

  • Maternal risk factors (age, weight, medical history)
  • Blood pressure measurements
  • Uterine artery Doppler scan (to check blood flow to the placenta)
  • Placental growth factor (PlGF) and PAPP-A blood tests

Why is Early Screening Important?

Early Risk Identification – Helps predict the likelihood of developing pre-eclampsia.
Timely Preventive Measures – Low-dose aspirin and lifestyle adjustments can reduce risks.
Better Pregnancy Monitoring – Women identified as high-risk receive specialized maternal-fetal care in Kolkata.
Prevention of Severe Complications – Reduces risks of preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, and organ complications.

Who Should Get Screened?

Screening is especially recommended for women with:

  • First pregnancy
  • History of pre-eclampsia in previous pregnancies
  • High blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney disease
  • Obesity or advanced maternal age
  • Multiple pregnancies (twins or more)

Comprehensive Fetal & Maternal Care in Kolkata

Our fetal medicine specialists in Kolkata provide high-risk pregnancy care through advanced fetal medicine services like:
🔹 Anomaly scan in Kolkata for fetal health assessment
🔹 Fetal echocardiography in Kolkata to detect heart defects
🔹 Fetal growth monitoring for at-risk pregnancies
🔹 Genetic counselling in Kolkata for personalized guidance

Book Your Pre-eclampsia Screening Today!

Early detection can make all the difference! Visit our fetal care clinic in Kolkata for pregnancy health screening and expert evaluation by the best fetal medicine doctor in Kolkata.

Your Health & Your Baby’s Well-Being Matter! 💙

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Understanding Down Syndrome: Early Diagnosis & Prenatal Care

Down Syndrome is a genetic condition caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. It affects physical growth, cognitive development, and intellectual abilities, often presenting with distinct facial features. While Down Syndrome cannot be prevented, early diagnosis and proper medical support can help individuals lead fulfilling lives. At our fetal medicine center in Kolkata, we provide comprehensive prenatal diagnostics to ensure timely detection and informed decision-making for expecting parents.

What Causes Down Syndrome?

Down Syndrome occurs due to a genetic anomaly known as trisomy 21, where an individual has three copies of chromosome 21 instead of the usual two. This additional genetic material affects development in various ways. The exact cause of this chromosomal abnormality remains unknown, but advanced maternal age is a significant risk factor.

How is Down Syndrome Diagnosed?

1. Prenatal Screening Tests

These tests assess the risk of Down Syndrome in a fetus. Common screening methods available at our prenatal ultrasound clinic in Kolkata include:

  • First-trimester combined screening: Blood test + nuchal translucency ultrasound
  • Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT): A highly accurate blood test analyzing fetal DNA

2. Diagnostic Tests for Confirmation

If a screening test indicates a high risk, diagnostic tests are performed at our fetal diagnostics center in Kolkata:

  • Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) (10–13 weeks)
  • Amniocentesis (15–20 weeks)

Role of Fetal Ultrasound in Down Syndrome Detection

Advanced imaging techniques like the anomaly scan in Kolkata and fetal echocardiography in Kolkata help identify physical markers associated with Down Syndrome, such as heart defects, short femur length, and increased nuchal translucency.

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Early detection at a fetal medicine clinic in Kolkata enables:
Informed decision-making for parents
Early intervention plans for better health outcomes
Specialized care for high-risk pregnancies

Expert Care at the Best Fetal Medicine Center in Kolkata

At the Institute of Fetal Medicine, Kolkata, our team of fetal medicine specialists in Kolkata provides expert genetic counselling in Kolkata to help parents understand their baby’s health. With advanced fetal medicine services in Kolkata, we ensure accurate diagnosis, compassionate guidance, and the best support for expecting families.

Comprehensive Fetal Care in Kolkata

If you are expecting and want to ensure the best fetal care in Kolkata, visit our maternal-fetal care center in Kolkata for advanced prenatal screening and fetal growth monitoring.

Book an Appointment Today!

For accurate diagnosis and expert guidance from the best fetal medicine doctor in Kolkata, schedule a consultation at our fetal care clinic in Kolkata. Your baby’s health is our priority!

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How Maternal-Fetal Immune System Helps Ensure a Healthy Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a beautiful and complex journey, filled with wonder and anticipation. It’s a time when a mother’s body nurtures and protects her developing baby. But have you ever wondered how the mother’s immune system, responsible for defending against diseases, knows not to attack the growing baby? In this article, we’ll explore the remarkable interplay between the maternal and fetal immune systems, shedding light on how they collaborate to ensure a successful pregnancy.

Basics of Maternal-Fetal Immunity

Pregnancy presents a unique immunological challenge because, under normal circumstances, the mother’s immune system’s primary job is to protect her from infections and foreign invaders. However, during pregnancy, there’s a delicate balancing act that occurs to ensure that the growing baby, which carries genetic material from both parents, is not mistakenly treated as a threat. This challenge is at the heart of maternal-fetal immunology, where nature has devised an incredible system to allow pregnancy to thrive despite these potential complications.

Immunological Challenge: At first glance, it might seem like the baby, carrying half of its genetic material from the father, should be seen as foreign by the mother’s immune system. However, nature has devised a clever system to prevent this.

Placental Barrier: Think of the placenta as a crucial mediator between the mother and the baby. It acts as both a protective barrier and a conduit for essential nutrients and oxygen. This remarkable organ ensures that the mother’s immune system doesn’t view the baby as an intruder.

Immunological Tolerance: The mother’s immune system undergoes a unique adaptation process. It learns to tolerate the presence of the baby’s genetic material and understands that, in this special situation, it should protect the baby rather than launch an immune attack.

Dynamic Interplay

Within the mother’s body, an intricate dance of biological interactions takes place during pregnancy. This dynamic interplay involves various elements of the maternal and fetal immune systems, working in harmony to ensure the well-being of both. It’s a bit like a well-choreographed performance, where different actors—immune cells, messenger molecules, and more—play their roles to perfection. In this section, we’ll delve deeper into this choreography and explore how the immune systems collaborate to create the optimal environment for a healthy pregnancy.

Immune Cells in Pregnancy: Specialized immune cells, including regulatory T cells and macrophages, play key roles in maintaining a harmonious balance between immune tolerance and protection. These cells communicate with the mother’s immune system, ensuring it doesn’t harm the developing baby.

Cytokine Messengers: Cytokines are like messengers in the body, and they play a pivotal role in the communication between the maternal and fetal immune systems. They guide the immune system, telling it when to protect the baby and when to respond to infections.

Challenges and Complications

When Things Go Awry: Sometimes, the delicate balance of the maternal-fetal immune system can be disrupted, leading to complications. Conditions like preeclampsia, which causes high blood pressure in the mother, and fetal growth issues can occur when the immune system doesn’t function as it should.

Infections and Immunology: Infections during pregnancy can alter the immune system’s equilibrium, potentially harming the baby. It’s essential to screen for and manage infections to safeguard both the mother and the baby.

Clinical Implications and Future Directions

Understanding the intricacies of maternal-fetal immunology has not only unlocked the secrets of successful pregnancies but has also led to important clinical applications. One such application involves medical interventions designed to manage and rectify immunological issues when they occur. These interventions can range from immunomodulatory therapies to personalized treatment plans. Beyond the current clinical landscape, ongoing research in this field continues to drive innovation.

Scientists and medical professionals are collaborating to explore novel approaches and cutting-edge techniques that promise to enhance our ability to safeguard the health of both the mother and the growing baby. In this ever-evolving field, the future holds the promise of even more precise and effective strategies for ensuring the well-being of expectant mothers and their little ones.

Medical Interventions: When complications arise due to immune system issues, doctors can step in with medical treatments. These interventions aim to restore the balance in the immune system, ensuring the baby’s safety and well-being.

Continuing Research: Scientists are continually expanding our knowledge of maternal-fetal immunology. Ongoing research seeks to unlock new ways to ensure the safety and health of both the mother and the baby, addressing immunological challenges with greater precision.

Final Words

The interplay between the maternal and fetal immune systems is nothing short of fascinating. It ensures that most pregnancies progress smoothly, culminating in the birth of a healthy baby. When complications arise, the medical community works diligently to find solutions. Understanding this remarkable teamwork enhances our appreciation of the intricate journey of pregnancy and the strides we continue to make in improving the experience for both mother and child.