Sonographic screening examinations in pregnancy

Abstract

There is no consistent evidence of risk caused by sonographic examinations - neither biologic risk for the fetus nor increased use of health services as a result of ascertained conditions. There is also no consistent benefit to routine sonography in terms of important health outcomes. The use of fetal sonography to screen for anomalies reveals evidence that raises substantial concerns regarding interobserver variability. This might be expected when using a test for screening that requires considerable skill. The range of reported sensitivities underscores the disadvantages of performing sonography on a routine basis rather than on selected patients. Pretest counseling may identify a subset of women for whom screening may be effective in improving health outcomes.