Gender determinations by ultrasound in a Nigerian health facility: How accurate are sonologists?

Abstract

Background: With the widespread use of ultrasound scan in pregnancy, there is a growing concern about the ability and accuracy of sonographic determination of the fetal gender. Aim: This study aims to find out how accurate this is in a health facility in Port Harcourt, South Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out over a 2-year period. The birth gender of 750 women who were scanned during the index pregnancy and the fetal sex noted on routine ultrasound were compared to find out how accurate the gender was determined by ultrasound. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: During the study period out of the 945 women who attended the antenatal clinic of the health facility during the study period, 750 (79%) had relevant scan reports from various imaging centers in Port Harcourt. The study showed that all sonographic sex determinations were made later than 19 weeks gestation and overall accuracy throughout pregnancy was 98.4%. Conclusions: Gender determination by ultrasound which has a high accuracy in this environment also has a degree of failure. Thus the expectant mother and referring physician should be aware of its limitations and accuracy in our environment.