Obstetrics | Fetal anatomy: Raising the bar
Tracks
Rm 6 | Virtual
Obstetrics
| Saturday, May 30, 2026 |
| 3:50 PM - 4:30 PM |
| Rm 6 | First Floor |
Speaker
Dr Larissa Bligh
Sonographer
MFM RBWH, Qld Health
Disorders of sexual differentiation
3:50 PM - 4:10 PMPresentation Synopsis / Abstract
Why we miss it, why it matters, and what Sonographers can do.
Although Sonographers routinely scan fetal genitalia, prenatal identification of atypical genitalia is frequently missed. This often leads to parental distress and difficult postnatal decision‑making when unexpected findings arise at birth. Recent literature highlights that under‑detection is not due to technical limitations, but rather gaps in knowledge, inconsistent assessment requirements, and lack of practical guidance for Sonographers.
Discover why atypical genitalia are frequently missed during routine obstetric ultrasound and how Sonographers can play a key role in improving recognition whilst staying within their scope of practice. Using a pattern‑recognition approach, we will explore a framework for typical versus atypical genital appearances, discuss the importance of scan planes and qualitative assessment at the morphology scan, and identify features that should prompt escalation for specialist review.
The session is designed to be informative and practical. Focus will be placed on safe communication and actionable steps to incorporate into everyday screening practice.
Although Sonographers routinely scan fetal genitalia, prenatal identification of atypical genitalia is frequently missed. This often leads to parental distress and difficult postnatal decision‑making when unexpected findings arise at birth. Recent literature highlights that under‑detection is not due to technical limitations, but rather gaps in knowledge, inconsistent assessment requirements, and lack of practical guidance for Sonographers.
Discover why atypical genitalia are frequently missed during routine obstetric ultrasound and how Sonographers can play a key role in improving recognition whilst staying within their scope of practice. Using a pattern‑recognition approach, we will explore a framework for typical versus atypical genital appearances, discuss the importance of scan planes and qualitative assessment at the morphology scan, and identify features that should prompt escalation for specialist review.
The session is designed to be informative and practical. Focus will be placed on safe communication and actionable steps to incorporate into everyday screening practice.
Biography
Dr Larissa Bligh |
MFM RBWH, Qld Health
Larissa is a sonographer of > 25 years in clinical practice, including 16 years dedicated to maternal-fetal medicine in Brisbane. She completed her doctorate in MFM in 2019, with research focusing on the use of spectral Doppler and placental biomarkers to predict intrapartum fetal compromise in low-risk pregnancies.
Larissa has contributed nine peer-reviewed publications and presents her work to both Australian and international audiences. In her role as an MFM sonographer she delivers tertiary-level clinical obstetric ultrasound and teaching to sonographers, MFM Fellows and Obstetric registrars. Larissa is passionate about advancing the profession, promoting evidence-based practice, and supporting the next generation of sonographers to deliver excellence in obstetric imaging.
Dr Michelle Pedretti
Sonographer
King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women
Inside the developing brain
4:10 PM - 4:30 PMPresentation Synopsis / Abstract
This presentation will review the anatomy of the developing fetal brain and what we can see on ultrasound through the trimesters. This will include a review of the intracranial anatomy visualised in the standard ultrasound planes and beyond.
Biography
Dr Michelle Pedretti |
King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women
An accredited sonographer with an interest in obstetrics and particularly in preterm birth prevention.
