Spalding sign is a radiologic finding indicating what?

Spalding sign is a radiologic finding indicating what?

• A. fetal demise
• B. neural tube defect
• C. placental abruption
• D. polyhydramnios

Answer: (A)

Spalding sign is an imaging finding that signals intrauterine fetal demise. After death, fetal tissues macerate and the skull bones become pliable, causing the cranial bones to overlap at the sutures. This overlapping appears on radiographs as the Spalding sign. It’s specific to fetal death and not associated with neural tube defects, placental abruption, or polyhydramnios, which show different signs.

Spalding sign is an imaging finding that signals intrauterine fetal demise. After death, fetal tissues macerate and the skull bones become pliable, causing the cranial bones to overlap at the sutures. This overlapping appears on radiographs as the Spalding sign. It’s specific to fetal death and not associated with neural tube defects, placental abruption, or polyhydramnios, which show different signs.