Routine Ultrasound in Pregnancy [Internet].

The Norwegian Knowledge Centre for the Health Services was asked to evaluate the clinical effects and diagnostic value of routine ultrasound in the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Today all women are offered an ultrasound in the 17th to 19th week of pregnancy. This routine ultrasound offers information on estimation of term, number of fetuses, detection of placenta previa and detection of structural abnormalities and fetal development. Based on the research literature we found no additional evidence in favour of introducing additional routine ultrasound in the first trimester (week 11 to 14) or in the third trimester (week 32 to 34) of pregnancy. However, an effect of introducing an early ultrasound is the information it gives for identifying fetuses at increased risk of chromosome abnormalities. If this is the aim, the early ultrasound combined with serum markers is the most effective test. Combined ultrasound and serum markers early in pregnancy give better indication for finding fetuses at increased risk for chromosome abnormalitites (and therefore fewer miscarriages due to amniocentesis) than testing based on mothers' age.

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