FETAL ANATOMIC SEX ASSIGNMENT BY ULTRASONOGRAPHY DURING EARLY PREGNANCY

摘要

A method and apparatus are disclosed for fetal anatomic sex assignment by ultrasound during early pregnancy based on pattern recognition that allows identification of external genitalia during the gestational age range of 12 to 14 weeks. The pattern recognition derives from knowledge of the embryology of the developing external genitalia of the fetus and the relationship between embryologic events and recognizing patterns specific for male and female obtained by ultrasonic imaging - See Figures 3, 4 (not shown). Imaging of the external genitalia can be included as part of a complete fetal anatomic survey, which includes gestational age dating and inspection for gross abnormalities. Sex assignment requires between 30 seconds and 10 minutes. Two scan planes of orientation are used, Figure 2. IMAGE