Obstetric sonography. Who to scan, when to scan, and by whom

Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 1998 Sep;25(3):465-78. doi: 10.1016/s0889-8545(05)70022-x.

Abstract

Most patients in the United States have an indication for and receive sonography during pregnancy. The issue of routine sonography for low-risk women continues to be contentious even though the randomized trials have not been able to demonstrate a clear benefit. Clinics that routinely offer sonography for all pregnancies usually schedule such a procedure at 16 to 20 weeks of gestation. Although great progress is being made in the first-trimester diagnoses of congenital anomalies, most targeted studies are performed at 18 to 20 weeks of gestation. Although many private obstetricians perform in-office sonography, the highest rates of detection of congenital anomalies are seen in tertiary care settings such as a university medical center. In difficult or otherwise high-risk cases, a consulting perinatologist is commonly the physician most likely to integrate the ultrasound findings with a rational management plan for the remainder of the pregnancy and for delivery.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Competence
  • Congenital Abnormalities / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Internship and Residency
  • Patient Selection*
  • Pregnancy
  • Referral and Consultation
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal / methods
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal / standards*
  • United States