Is it scientific to say that fetal lateral ventricle enlargement indicates a boy?

After becoming pregnant, women are often distracted and always worry about the gender of the fetus. In fact, this idea is very wrong. The most important thing is to give birth to a healthy baby. During the prenatal check-up in the second trimester, the doctor will check whether the fetal ventricles are widened. If widened, there is a certain risk of hydrocephalus, which is particularly detrimental to the growth and development of the fetus. Many women often ignore their own health problems and always think that the widening of the fetal lateral ventricles means a boy. In fact, there is no scientific basis for this. We should not spend our energy guessing the gender of the fetus, but must pay attention to the physical health of the mother. Let's find out together whether it is scientific that the widening of the fetal lateral ventricles means a boy?

Is it scientific to say that fetal lateral ventricle enlargement indicates a boy?

In addition to brain tissue, there is also a river in our human brain. The scientific name of river water is cerebrospinal fluid. The source of the river is the choroid plexus within the ventricles and the capillary network of the brain. River water flows along specific channels and is absorbed by the human body at specific places. If the river produces too much water or absorbs too little, or a part of the river channel is blocked, or there is an abnormality in the embankment (abnormal development of brain tissue), the river channel may widen, the most common of which is ventriculomegaly. Li Kui, Department of Obstetrics, Peking University First Hospital

The diagnostic criteria for ventriculomegaly are: regardless of gestational age, the width of the posterior horn of the lateral ventricle is greater than or equal to 1 cm. 1 cm to 1.2 cm is called critical ventriculomegaly. About 40% of ventriculomegaly is caused by abnormalities in the central nervous system (brain development abnormalities, meningocele, cerebral hemorrhage, tumors, etc.) or outside the central nervous system, and 12% of patients have chromosomal abnormalities. Other causes include intrauterine infection (such as cytomegalovirus infection, toxoplasmosis infection and syphilis infection) and gene mutation (male children, hereditary hydrocephalus).

Ventriculomegaly occurs in approximately 0.5 to 1.5 fetuses per 1,000 pregnancies. There are more boys than girls. If there is no family history or L1CAM gene mutation, the incidence of subsequent pregnancy is about 4%.

What should we do if we find ventriculomegaly?

First, make a clear diagnosis and find out the cause. The patient should go to a hospital with qualifications for prenatal ultrasound diagnosis, and have an ultrasound consultation examination by a qualified doctor to make a clear diagnosis and determine whether the fetus has other structural abnormalities. At the same time, fetal MRI can also be performed to assist in diagnosis. Determination of other causes includes umbilical cord blood puncture to exclude fetal chromosomal abnormalities (common abnormalities of chromosomes 9, 13, and 18 and aneuploidy abnormalities such as trisomy 21) and infection indicator examination (TORCH examination).

Secondly, consult a qualified doctor to discuss pregnancy management and delivery methods together. For children with combined structural abnormalities in other parts of the body or chromosomal abnormalities, it is not recommended to continue the pregnancy. For children with isolated ventriculomegaly, ultrasound examination should be performed every 2-4 weeks to dynamically monitor the ventricular dilatation to determine whether it is shrinking, stable without progression, or progressive ventriculomegaly. About one-third of infants will recover to normal in utero, and 16% may develop severe ventriculomegaly (≥15 mm). The intrauterine treatment (ventricular drainage) that was once used internationally is no longer recommended because it cannot improve fetal prognosis. During delivery, if the fetal head is too large, cesarean section is recommended, otherwise vaginal delivery can be attempted. After birth, a fetus with simple lateral ventriculomegaly should be examined again as soon as possible to confirm the diagnosis and find the cause. If there is still obvious ventriculomegaly, drainage surgery (ventriculoperitoneal drainage) should be performed in pediatric surgery as soon as possible. Among infants with isolated ventriculomegaly, 90% have normal neurodevelopment. Their intellectual development is related to the early or late drainage surgery. 10% of children may have epilepsy, motor function or intellectual impairment. Fetuses with asymmetric ventriculomegaly, severe lateral ventriculomegaly, and progressive ventriculomegaly have poor long-term neurological development.

The above is an introduction to whether it is scientific to say that fetal lateral ventricle enlargement is a boy. After understanding it, we know that there is no scientific basis for this. We hope that many pregnant mothers will not focus on guessing the gender of the fetus. They must maintain a happy mood throughout the pregnancy. In addition, they must make adjustments in their diet, eat more light foods, and exercise outdoors more often. This will be of great help in childbirth and will also be beneficial to the growth and development of the fetus in the belly.