Obstetrics & Gynecology Track the topics, authors and articles important to you
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

Obstetrics & Gynecology 2003;101:273-278
© 2003 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Taipale, P.
Right arrow Articles by Hiilesmaa, V.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Taipale, P.
Right arrow Articles by Hiilesmaa, V.

ORIGINAL RESEARCH

Learning Curve in Ultrasonographic Screening for Selected Fetal Structural Anomalies in Early Pregnancy

Pekka Taipale, MD, PhD, Martti Ämmälä, MD, Riitta Salonen, MD, PhD and Vilho Hiilesmaa, MD, PhD

From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, HUCH, Jorvi Hospital, Espoo; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki; and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.

Address reprint requests to: Pekka Taipale, MD, PhD, Kuopio University Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, PL 1777, 70211 Kuopio, Finland; E-mail: pekka.taipale{at}kuh.fi.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of first trimester screening by ultrasonography in detecting structural anomalies of the fetus in a general obstetric population.

METHODS: During 1993–1998, 20,465 consecutive pregnant women who resided in a defined geographic area participated in ultrasonographic screening for major malformations. These included anomalies of the central nervous system, urinary tract, abdominal wall, and long bones. Heart anomalies were not expected to be detected. The examinations were offered at 13–14 weeks’ gestation as part of routine maternal care and were done by specially trained midwives. The pregnancy outcomes were ascertained from obstetric and pediatric records, and the data were completed by information from the national birth and malformation registries.

RESULTS: A total of 307 fetuses (1.5%) with a major malformation were found; 67 fetuses (0.3%) had noncardiac major structural defects expected to be detectable by ultrasonography in early pregnancy. Thirty-five of 67 (52%) were identified at the early scan. Sensitivity for these defects increased from 22% to 79% from the first to the last (sixth) study year (P = 009).

CONCLUSION: In a low-risk population, adequate sensitivity in screening for major malformations by early ultrasonography can be achieved after a learning curve of 3–4 years.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Obstet GynecolHome page
U. M. Reddy, R. A. Filly, and J. A. Copel
Prenatal Imaging: Ultrasonography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Obstet. Gynecol., July 1, 2008; 112(1): 145 - 157.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J Ultrasound MedHome page
I. E. Timor-Tritsch
As Technology Evolves, So Should Its Application: Shortcomings of the "18-Week Anatomy Scan"
J. Ultrasound Med., April 1, 2006; 25(4): 423 - 428.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 RadioGraphicsHome page
K. W. Fong, A. Toi, S. Salem, L. K. Hornberger, D. Chitayat, S. J. Keating, F. McAuliffe, and J.-A. Johnson
Detection of Fetal Structural Abnormalities with US during Early Pregnancy
RadioGraphics, January 1, 2004; 24(1): 157 - 174.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 2003 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.