Congenital anomalies place a significant burden on families and health systems worldwide, and obstetric care plays a major role in safeguarding mother and child through early, obstetric ultrasound-based assessment and coordinated pathways. Each year, approximately 130 million babies are born, and about 7.9 million (~6%) are affected by a birth defect^[1]; while some conditions are treatable, many result in lifelong disabilities^[2].
 

Since most structural anomalies develop in the first trimester, early diagnosis is essential to determine treatment options and inform parental decision-making. Despite differences in care models across countries, ultrasound remains the cornerstone of early, consistent assessment.
 

Today, AI-enhanced tools and 3D/4D obstetric ultrasound imaging are helping extend access and improve consistency by supporting standardized measurements, reproducible reporting, and more efficient workflows. However, the rapid pace of innovation can overwhelm clinicians and often moves faster than independent evaluation, underscoring the need for careful evidence appraisal, training, and governance.