Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Obesity rates continue to increase in reproductive age women. It is well described that obesity impairs adequate image acquisition on sonographic fetal anatomic survey. However, there are limited data regarding rates of anatomic survey completion in women with superobesity (BMI≥50). We sought to investigate adequacy of fetal anatomic visualization in women with superobesity. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of women with singleton nonanomalous pregnancies presenting for fetal anatomic survey from 18 0/7 to 21 6/7 weeks’ gestation between January 1, 2019 and December 30, 2020. The primary outcome was rate of total anatomic survey completion stratified by BMI category. Secondary outcomes were scan duration, number of images, and complete visualization of grouped organ systems. Results were analyzed using Chi-square and Kruskal Wallis tests where appropriate. RESULTS: Of 2,719 ultrasounds, 9% of patients were normal weight, 31% overweight, 55% obese, and 5% superobese. Rates of anatomic survey completion were highest in normal-weight women, and lowest in women with superobesity (67.6% vs. 4.4%, P<.001). When grouped by organ system, superobesity impacted all organ system completion rates, with cardiac structures the most affected (75% vs. 8%, P<.001). The median exam duration and number of images decreased with increasing BMI category (range 33.5-28.4 minutes and 86-63 images, respectively). CONCLUSION: Women with weight classifying as superobese had extremely low rates of completed anatomic survey on first attempt. Examination duration and number of images were lower for superobese patients, which may represent sonographer assessment of futility. This has important implications for anomaly detection and resource utilization.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have