Type of research study: Qualitative
Purpose of the study:
The purpose of this study is to a) update existing reviews of ultrasound for routine fetal assessment in early pregnancy, b) to review the use of routine ultrasound during pregnancy for the detection of fetal abnormalities, c) to conduct a study of the costs of routine two-stage ultrasound in early or mid-pregnancy, d) to compile reviews of women’s views on ultrasound examination and its costs, and e) to assess the consequences of routine two-stage ultrasound.
Methods/sample:
Primary research was undertaken to supplement the data from existing literature. Systematic reviews of literature were done. Studies were performed at the Liverpool Women’s Hospital. Controlled trials of routine ultrasound were conducted at the Hospital.
Results:
Women give importance to ultrasound because of the early connection it offers with their babies. Another valuable result of the study is the finding that routine Doppler ultrasound in pregnancy does not give enough benefit. Detection rates of abnormalities in fetuses depend on the organs affected.
Limitations:
One limitation of the research is that the findings of fetal abnormalities through ultrasound should be supplemented with other screening programs for chromosomal abnormalities. Moreover, cultural differences on the views on ultrasound screening were not taken into consideration in taking the views of women.
Conclusions:
Based on the evidences presented by the research, it is concluded that routine ultrasound can offer a better gestational age assessment. Furthermore, ultrasound provides for an early detection of multiple pregnancies. Early routine ultrasound detects any malformation or abnormalities on the fetus. The study also determined that there are some inefficiencies in the routine ultrasound that exists; thus, a need for a repeat of the procedure. The importance of anomaly detection in pregnancies calls for the need for highly trained personnel to conduct the procedure and quality control mechanisms to audit their performance. The research further concluded that the decision to conduct the ultrasound among pregnant women should be weighed against the costs and the benefits.
References
Bricker, L., Garcia, J., Henderson, J., Mugford, M., Neilson, J., Roberts, T., & Martin, M. A. (2000). Ultrasound screening in pregnancy: A systematic review of the clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and women's views. Health Technology Assessment, 1-183.
