Becoming a mother is not an easy task it is also an emotion for women in the same way it is a very responsible job to take care out of the baby so each and every stage during the pregnancy is very important it includes proper diet plans, pregnancy exercises, and also healthy growth of the baby in the mother womb plays a key role at this point multiple scans comes into play in that case one of the important is the Tiffa scan.

What is a Tiffa scan?

Tiffa means (Targeted Imaging for Fetal Anomalies scan.;) It can also be called an "anomaly scan" It actually examines and checks the baby’s organs, bones, brain, spine, heart, limbs, and overall growth in the baby in the mother's womb.

What things will you know in an anomaly scan?

In a Tiffa scan you will know about the development of a baby’s organs, bones, brain, spine, heart, limbs, and overall growth.

Brain and head: In this case the anomaly scan examines skull shape, brain ventricles, cerebellum, and midline structures.

Spine: Here we can know about the full spine checked for alignment and skin covering.

Lips: At this stage, we are getting to know about the side profile of the face. It means nose, nasal, forehead, chin, shape of lips, lower jaw, orbits (lips), eye socket distance between eyes, and condition of the eye lens.

Heart: we can know about the Four chambers of the heart (right atrium, left atrium, right ventricle, left ventricle ), Outflow tracts in the heart (aorta and pulmonary artery), and Rhythm of the heart beat ( heart condition, heart rate and heart rhythm ).

Abdomen examination: Stomach, bowel, abdominal wall, and umbilical cord insertion

Kidney and bladder: Here doctors examine the kidney structure, bowel condition, abdominal wall, and bladder appearance.

Liver: Size and position of the liver and also blood flow into the liver if required.

Limbs examination: Here doctors examine the shape and length of the arms, legs, hands, and feet and also bone length.

Amniotic fluid: The amniotic fluid cushions the baby and protects the baby in the mother's womb. The doctor examined the overall volume and distribution of the amniotic fluid. If amniotic fluid is too little, it can be said to be an (oligohydramnios); if amniotic fluid is too high, it can be said to be a
(polyhydramnios).

Growth and wellbeing: Biparietal Diameter (BPD) it measures the width of the baby head, Head Circumference (HC)  access the Brain growth and Overall fetal development,Femur Length (FL)Measures the length of the thigh bone to assess skeletal growth, Cervical Length Screening or examine about any risk of preterm birth. 

Why does the anomaly scan matter?

During the pregnancy every stage is very important to examine the proper health and organs development of the baby in mother womb and the anomaly scan is the primary and very crucial scan in prime stage of the pregnancy within or before the 18 to 22 weeks so we all hear this scan also as 22 week scan so it is the primary way to Identify risk of down syndrome or congenital defects at early stage.

Common Questions:

1. When exactly should the anomaly or anomaly scan be done?

According to the guidelines of FOGSI and ISUOG.

FOGSI “Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India,” and ISUOG stands for the “International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology” the anomaly scan should be done between18 to 22 weeks.

2. What does the anomaly scan actually check?

The anomaly scan elevates the baby's overall development of body organs, bones, brain, spine, heart, limbs, and also assesses the placenta's position, amniotic fluid level, and overall fetal growth.

3. Do I need a full bladder for the anomaly scan?

Depending on your stage of pregnancy and your doctor's instructions, it visualizes the lower uterus and pelvic structures more clearly. The scan typically takes 30 to 45 minutes.

About the Doctor

Dr. Naren Satya

Consultant Radiologist

Naren Ultrasound and Fetal Medicine Center, Visakhapatnam