Physical abnormalities
A physical abnormality means that part of the child’s body looks different than normal. With a 20-week ultrasound, the ultrasound technician examines the child from head to toe. The ultrasound technician also checks if there is enough amniotic fluid and if the child is growing well.
The 20-week ultrasound is a medical examination to check for physical abnormalities in the child
The ultrasound technician cannot see everything. If there are no visible abnormalities, it is not a guarantee that the child is healthy. The ultrasound technician can often also see if it is a boy or a girl. They will only tell you if you say that you want to know.
The abnormalities that can be found in the ultrasound are not all severe. There could also be unclear abnormalities, or abnormalities that will go away on their own.
Examples of possible physical abnormalities
- Spina bifida
- Anencephaly
- Hydrocephalus
- Hole in the abdominal wall (abdominal hernia)
- Hole in the diaphragm (diaphragmatic hernia)
- Club foot
- Cleft lip
- Absence or abnormality of the kidneys
- Abnormalities of the arms or legs
- Abnormal bone development
- Heart defects
The 20-week ultrasound and the NIPT
During the 20-week ultrasound, the ultrasound technician sometimes sees an abnormality that could occur in a child with a chromosomal abnormality (or another hereditary condition). Important: not all serious chromosomal abnormalities also cause abnormalities that can be seen on a 20-week ultrasound. If you want to have your child tested for a chromosomal abnormality, then you can decide to have the NIPT.