DIAGNOSIS OF FETAL CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM ANOMALIES IN THE FIRST TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY

Background: Early detection of central nervous system (CNS) anomalies is of great importance due to the substantial impact of such anomalies on the development of the CNS, often resulting in the onset of neuropsychiatric disability and cognitive impairment. Congenital pathology of CNS development is one of the main causes of perinatal and early infant mortality. Echographic evaluation of the CNS in the first trimester of pregnancy is extremely challenging due to the active development of brain structures during this period. However, scientific and technological progress in the last decade has expanded the diagnostic possibilities for obtaining new information about the characteristics and nature of pathological changes. Objective: To analyze scientific publications reporting early detection of fetal CNS anomalies using volumetric ultrasound imaging. Materials and methods: The literature search was performed in Scopus, Medline (PubMed), and eLibrary databases. The relevant sources were analyzed. Forty-seven scientific papers were used. Results: The data on modern possibilities of ultrasonic diagnostics in the first trimester of pregnancy for early detection of fetal CNS anomalies were obtained. Conclusion: The scientific literature highlights the clinical value and relevance of the development and implementation of expert multiparametric fetal neurosonography in the first trimester, according to the methodology recommended for specialised examination in the second trimester of pregnancy. The effectiveness of combining three-dimensional echography with genetic research methods and the application of machine analysis of echograms was confirmed. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.