Genetic and morphological investigation of terminations caused by prenatal fetal abnormality

Fetal abnormalities are frequently encountered in the South Eastern region of Turkey and a large number of pregnant women are referred to our university hospital, which is a tertiary referral center. In our study, we investigated the relationship between fetal and genetic abnormalities by conducting genetic and morphological examination of terminations caused by prenatal fetal abnormalities. Patients who applied to Gaziantep University Medical Faculty Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology between 01.11.2018 and 28.02.2020 were included in the study. 56 patients who had fetal abnormalities that could cause termination decision as a result of ultrasound examinations were deemed appropriate to undergo genetic examination. The study was conducted retrospectively. In our study, genetic evaluation could not be performed in 11 out of 56 patients due to the lack of suitable and sufficient material for genetic examination. Genetic anomalies were found in 10 of 45 patients who could be examined genetically. In addition, although the most common fetal abnormality in the literature is cardiac anomalies, the most common fetal abnormality in our study was determined as central nervous system anomalies. This situation was found similar to the equivalent studies conducted in our country. Since there are very few studies in the literature regarding genetic examination after termination due to fetal anomalies, our study is very valuable. It will be a guide for deciding those patients who should be done genetic examination after termination.