Location : G-Floor, Maternity Centre
Phone number : 021 404 6008
Times :08h00 – 16h00 Monday – Friday

Program

Obstetric and Gynaecological scans are performed throughout the week.
Fetal Medicine Clinic : Wednesday
Fetal Medicine Follow-up clinic : Tuesday 14h00 16h00

Referral criteria

Ultrasound referrals by level 1 sisters: Fetuses at increased historical risk of fetal anomaly (advanced maternal age, known diabetic, teratogens (warfarin, anti-eplileptic drugs, lithium, methotrexate, efavirenz...), previous fetal anomaly, family history of fetal anomaly)
Ultrasound referral by accredited level 1 sonographers: Abnormal findings at level 1 scan

  • MC twins
  • Polyhydramnios (AFI >24 or deepest pool >8cm)
  • Gestation difference between BPD, FL or AC of 10 days or more
  • Placenta praevia (within 5cm of internal os after 28-32 weeks in asymptomatic woman)
  • Any sign of possible fetal anomaly
  • Advanced extrauterine pregnancy
  • Fibroid uterus
  • Adnexal mass (not simple ovarian cyst < 3cm)
  • Abnormal Doppler: AEDF, REDF

Policy for aneuploidy screening
All women aged 40 years or more at the time of conception

  • Should be informed of their risk of T21.
  • Should be referred to the Groote Schuur Hospital Fetal Medicine Unit either at 11-14 weeks (any day) or as soon as possible from 16-18 weeks up to an estimated gestation of 23 weeks (Wednesday morning).
  • These women will be counseled and offered amniocentesis.

All women aged 37-39 at the time of conception

  • Should be told about the option of having a scan to detect genetic disorders
  • They should then be referred for a NT scan if booking before 11 -14 weeks (at the moment all NT scans are done at GSH), or for a marker scan between 18-23 weeks if booking later. The marker scan will be done by the sonographer/medical officer at the MOU or secondary hospital. These sonographers have details regarding referral criteria if abnormalities are detected on this scan.
  • If any abnormality is found on the marker scan, the patient should be referred to GSH for genetic couseling and invasive testing. If the complete marker scan reveals no abnormalities, the women will not be referred for any formal genetic counseling.

All women younger than 37 at the time of conception

  • Should be offered a detailed fetal anomaly scan between 18 and 23 weeks as far as local resources allow.
  • Specific identification of all markers is not required but if one marker is found, the others should actively be looked for.
  • Sonographers have the protocols for referral in this regard.
  • Patients who have had an NT scan will be managed according to their risk by the team at GSH who are currently responsible for all the NT scans in Metro West.