Ultrasonographic diagnosis of glossoptosis in fetuses with Pierre Robin sequence in early and mid pregnancy.

Objective: This study was undertaken to describe the sonographic features of fetal glossoptosis in the Pierre Robin sequence.

Study Design: Fetal sonography was prospectively performed in 8000 consecutive pregnancies at 14 to 24 weeks' gestation. In addition we retrospectively reevaluated ultrasound recordings of 4 fetuses from other hospitals, in which the diagnosis of Pierre Robin sequence was overlooked at 22 weeks' gestation. Glossoptosis was defined as a posteriorly displaced tongue that never reached the anterior mandibular alveolar ridge while watching the fetal profile. Micrognathia, which is a component of the sequence, was subjectively defined.

Results: Glossoptosis with micrognathia was detected in 2 fetuses in the prospective group at 14 and 15 weeks' gestation. Both pregnancies were terminated; the diagnosis was confirmed in 1 case where postmortem examination was performed. There were no false-negative diagnoses in the other 7.998 fetuses. Glossoptosis and micrognathia were observed in the 4 retrospective cases.

Conclusion: Sonographic identification of glossoptosis with fetal micrognathia suggests the possibility of Pierre Robin sequence.