A Systematic Review of Methodology Used in Studies Aimed at Creating Charts of Fetal Brain Structures

Ultrasound-based assessment of the fetal nervous system is routinely recommended at time mid-trimester anatomy scan or different gestations based on clinical indications. This review evaluates methodological quality studies aimed creating charts for brain structures obtained by ultrasound, as poor methodology could explain substantial variability in percentiles reported. Electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web Science) were searched from January 1970 to 2021 select singleton fetuses, where main aim was construct one more clinically relevant axial plane: parieto-occipital fissure, Sylvian anterior ventricle, posterior transcerebellar diameter, cisterna magna. Studies scored against 29 predefined criteria identify risk bias. In total, 42 met inclusion criteria, providing data 45,626 fetuses. Substantial heterogeneity identified included studies, this may high centiles 80% a bias found than 50% domains scored. conclusion, be used practice research should have an optimal study design order minimise allow comparison between studies. We propose use with highest quality.