The fetal anomaly scan

Abstract Congenital abnormalities are a common cause of perinatal mortality and may have implications for life expectancy and quality of life in the future. Ultrasound screening in pregnancy can detect major congenital abnormalities in 2–3% of fetuses. Screening provides the opportunity for a diagnosis to be made prior to birth, for further investigations and monitoring to be offered, and for prognosis to be discussed. Conditions may be identified that would benefit from prenatal treatment, delivery at a different centre, or highlight that the baby may die shortly after birth. In countries where the law permits termination of pregnancy it can give the opportunity to choose not to continue the pregnancy. This article describes the Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme (FASP) in the UK and describes a systematic approach for scanning for fetal anomalies in the first and second trimester.