Role of routine ultrasound in first trimester of pregnancy

Abstract

Introduction: Ultrasound is a specific method of examination in early stages of pregnancy, with a specificity of 97.6%1. It usually determines the location and viability of a pregnancy and gestational age by 5 weeks of pregnancy2. In addition to these other conditions like uterine anomalies, adnexal diseases, and cervical length can all be diagnosed in the first trimester.3 First trimester ultrasound can predict the chorionicity, type of twinning in multiple gestations, which allows for appropriate counselling and management4.Aims and Objectives: To emphasize the importance of routine ultrasound in first trimester of pregnancy in detecting and dating gestation, its viability and early detection of anomalies. And to diagnose an early pregnancy failure and multiple gestation.Materials and Methods: This is a prospective observational study conducted at KIMS, Narketpally involving 30 pregnant women within 12 weeks of gestation attending antenatal OPD.Results and Conclusion: In this study of 30 pregnant women all are intrauterine pregnancies, of which 2 had early pregnancy failure, 2 of them showed sub chorionic collection, 1 had bicornuate uterus (Mullerian anomaly), 3 of them with no cardiac activity requiring follow up scan, 1 showed intrauterine pregnancy with associated hemorrhagic ovarian cyst and 1 intrauterine pregnancy with associated fibroid were identified. Hence the study showed the routine ultrasound in first trimester was helpful to detect and date pregnancy, identify nonviable Pregnancies, cervical length in diagnosing cervical incompetence and hence has significant role in Evaluation of first trimester of pregnancy.