Negative Pregnancy Test Research Articles

Impact of Social, Political, and Cultural Factors on Care of an Unresponsive Patient during the December Riots in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

A 30-year-old unresponsive woman was cared for by a volunteer team of US medical professionals at the Partners in Development Clinic in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, during the December riots. Previously, she had been evaluated at the clinic for vomiting and had been given granisetron after lab results showed a normal urinalysis and blood glucose level and a negative pregnancy test. The day she re-presented, her family called the clinic because the patient lost consciousness and had a possible seizure after arguing with her husband. A medical team dispatched to the patient's tent village found that she had stable vital signs, reactive pupils, no signs of trauma, and a blood glucose level of 120 mg/dL; however, she was unresponsive to painful stimuli. Once at the clinic, she underwent a more complete evaluation, including a negative malaria test. At this point, the clinic's limited resources were exhausted but, due to armed rioters, the patient could not be transported to a local hospital. After the patient remained unchanged during the night, her husband visited a voodoo priest who cast a spell to aid the patient. One hour later, the patient awoke, interacted normally with her family, and left the clinic ambulatory. A combination of factors impacted patient care. First, the clinic had limited resources and intermittent electricity. Secondly, rioting restricted transportation and supplies, and it increased stress in this already traumatized population. Furthermore, illnesses were compounded by underlying malnutrition, anemia, and poor living conditions. Finally, team members were providing care in an unaccustomed medical and cultural environment. Medical care is not provided in isolation; rather, multiple factors impact the patient and should be taken into account during treatment. Skill sets developed in more ideal settings can be translated into a valuable foundation for providing care in suboptimal circumstances; however, maintaining a cultural awareness and openness is critical.

Phase I Study of the Combination of 5-Azacitidine Sequentially with High-Dose Lenalidomide in Higher-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) and Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)

Abstract 2613The hypomethylating agents are standard of care in patients with higher risk MDS and used frequently in older AML. A number of strategies, including combination approaches, are being developed to improve results of single agent hypomethylating agent. For instance the combination of 5-azacitidine and lenalidomide (LEN) has been shown to be safe and active in a phase I trial (Sekeres JCO 2010; 28:2253–8). Recently the use of high dose LEN (50 mg orally daily) has been reported to have significant activity in older AML (Vij Blood. 2011;117:1828–33). We hypothesized that sequential combination of 5-azacitidine followed by LEN could be safe and active in patients with higher risk MDS and AML. To test this concept, we developed a phase I/II protocol of such combination. Here, we present results from the completed phase I portion of the study. Patients with refractory or relapsed AML and MDS (bone marrow blasts more than 10%) of any age or untreated patients older than 60 years with AML or MDS who refused or were not eligible for frontline therapy were eligible. Adequate performance status, liver function and renal function were requiered. All study participants were registered into RevAssist® program. Females of childbearing potential were required to have a negative pregnancy test. 5-azacitidine was administered at 75 mg/m2 IV daily for 1 to 5 day on a 28 day cycle. LEN was administered on day 6 for 5 or 10 days. The phase I portion of the study design followed a classic “3+3” design and only LEN was dose escalated. 28 patients were registered in the study. The following doses of LEN were used: 10 (N=5), 15 (N=3), 20 (N=3), 25 (N=3), 50 (N=4), 75 mg (N=3) orally for 5 days and 75 for 10 days (N=7). Median age was 65 (range 31 to 79); 19 patients had AML and 9 had MDS or CMML. Median baseline WBC was 1.95 K/μL (range 0.1 to 19.1), median platelet count 68 K/μL (4 to 328), median bone marrow blasts 23% (range 11% to 84%), 8 had diploid cytogenetics and 20 others including 5q- (8 patients), monosomy 5 (5 patients) and monosomy 7(7 patients), del 17 (4 patients), t(9:11)(2 patients) and t(3;5)(2 patients). FLT-3 and N-RAS mutations were seen in 2 patients each and NPM-1 mutation in 1 patient. 22 patients had received prior therapy. A total of 88 cycles of therapy have been administered with a median of 1.5 cycles (range 1 to 10). No dose limiting toxicity was documented and the maximal tolerated dose was therefore not reached. At the 75 mg × 10 days dose, one patient died unexpectedly and subsequently 6 additional patients were treated with no additional severe toxicities observed. Common non-hematological toxicities were fatigue, loss of appetite, constipation, skin rash, fevers and weight loss. Of 6 patients that had not received prior therapy, 5 were evaluable for response and 3 (60%) achieved a complete response at doses of 25 and 50 mg of LEN. No response was observed in previously treated patients but 9 (47%) had stable disease. In conclusion, the combination of 5-azacitidine with high dose LEN up to 75 mg orally × 10 days is safe in patients with AML/MDS. The study continues now in a phase II extension of N=40 patients with LEN at a dose of 50 mg daily × 10 days. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

18F-FDG PET in Pregnancy and Fetal Radiation Dose Estimates

The purpose of this study was to estimate the fetal radiation exposure resulting from (18)F-FDG PET procedures performed in pregnant patients with malignancies. Five pregnant patients with a biopsy-proven diagnosis of malignancy who underwent (18)F-FDG PET studies were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent PET-only studies (and not PET/CT studies) with a reduced (18)F-FDG dose (except for 1 patient who had a negative pregnancy test immediately before the (18)F-FDG PET procedure but was confirmed to be pregnant a few weeks later), including vigorous hydration and diuresis to minimize radiation exposure to the fetus. One patient underwent (18)F-FDG PET twice during her pregnancy (in the second and third trimesters). Fetal radiation dose was independently assessed for each patient, and an analysis was made of fetal radiation doses using the measurements of activity in the fetuses at various stages of pregnancy. Six (18)F-FDG PET studies in 5 pregnant patients were analyzed. The (18)F-FDG PET scans were obtained in early pregnancy (n = 1), the second trimester (n = 2), and the third trimester (n = 3). The fetal dose exposure from (18)F-FDG PET studies was estimated to range from 1.1 to 2.43 mGy for various trimesters in pregnancy (except for the patient in the early stage of pregnancy, in whom activity in the whole uterus was considered, and the fetal dose was estimated to be 9.04 mGy). All patients delivered healthy infants with no visible abnormalities at term. The fetal radiation dose from (18)F-FDG PET studies is quite low and significantly below the threshold dose for deterministic effects due to radiation exposure to the fetus. The estimated fetal radiation exposure in our cases was slightly lower than existing estimates on fetal dose exposure, and as more data become available, the current fetal dose estimates may have to be modified accordingly. By addressing an important safety issue dealing with performing medically necessary (18)F-FDG PET in pregnant patients, these data are expected to help in the imaging workup of cancer patients during pregnancy.

(A69) Epidemiological Study of Trauma in Pregnancy: An Emergency Department-Based Study of a Level-1 Trauma Center

BackgroundTrauma during pregnancy poses a challenge in assessment and management due to its unique anatomical and physiological changes. Trauma is the leading non-obstetrical cause of death. There is paucity of epidemiological data in this subgroup in India. An emergency department (ED)-based epidemiological study was conducted.MethodsFemale trauma victims of reproductive age with both positive and negative urinary pregnancy tests (UPTs) were selected retrospectively. Documentation was done by the nursing staff from the ED case records. Mode, mechanism, severity, site of injury, and ED disposal time were noted, compiled, and analyzed.ResultsOf 64 patients, 32 patients were UPT-positive and 32 were UPT-negative. The mean age was 26 (range 18–36) years. A total of 75% of UPT-positive and 59.3% of UPT-negative cases had assault due to domestic violence. As per START triage protocol, 84.3% of UPT-positive and 59.3% patients in UPT negative were triaged as yellow. Blunt trauma to the abdomen was the most common mechanism and site of injury in all patients. FAST and ultrasonic evaluation of the fetus was performed for all UPT-positive patients. The average ED disposal time was 2 hours 62 minutes in UPT-positive and 1.9 hours in UPT-negative.ConclusionsLimited data suggest domestic violence as leading cause of trauma in pregnancy. A large, epidemiological study is required to validate this.

Differential Diagnosis of Abdominal Pain and GI Complaints in Children

Differential Diagnosis of Abdominal Pain and GI Complaints in Children

Hemorrhagic Shock from an Ectopic Pregnancy in a Patient with a Negative Urine Pregnancy Test

Hemorrhagic Shock from an Ectopic Pregnancy in a Patient with a Negative Urine Pregnancy Test

Woman With Right-Sided Flank Pain

A 26-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with 2 weeks of intermittent right-sided flank pain, nausea, and vomiting. She reported several days of hematuria but denied dysuria, fever, or chills. Vital signs were unremarkable, and physical examination demonstrated moderate right costovertebral angle tenderness. Urine studies showed RBCs and WBCs too numerous to count, few bacteria, and a negative pregnancy test result. After emergency ultrasonography was performed (Figures 1 to 3), a urology consultation and computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis were obtained (Figure 4).

Prognostic value of first IVF cycle on success of a subsequent cycle

To determine whether a live birth or miscarriage in a previous IVF cycle is predictive of success in a subsequent cycle. Retrospective study Private IVF unit 1141 couples having a second IVF cycle. 3 groups; Group I: women who had a live birth in the first cycle, Group II those who had a miscarriage, Group III, women who had a negative pregnancy test in their first cycle. Pregnancy (PR), Live birth (LBR) & miscarriage rates in the second cycle. For women < than 40: PR was 46.4% (368/793), miscarriage rate was 29.9% and the LBR was 32.5% (258/793). Women in groups I & II had a statistically higher PR than those in group III 63.3% v 55.2% v 41.9% respectively. LBR was higher 45% v 37.8 v 29.6% respectively. Miscarriage rate was similar. For women 40years and older: The PR was 21.0% (73/348), miscarriage rate was 52.1% (38/73) and the LBR was 10.1% (35/348).There was no significant difference in PR among women in groups I, II & III. The LBR and miscarriage rates were similar in all groups. Young women who had a live birth and those who experienced an early miscarriage after IVF have a greater likelihood of achieving a live birth in a second cycle. Outcome of first IVF cycle however does not predict subsequent IVF success in older women.

Use of essure micro-insert for treatment of hydrosalpinx prior to in vitro fertilization: a multicenter IDE/IRB off-label study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the proximal tubal occlusion rate following placement of Essure inserts in women with hydrosalpinx (HS) prior to undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), and to observe pregnancy and delivery rates post-IVF. DESIGN: Prospective, off-label, multicenter, sequential, non-randomized, IDE and IRB approved observational study of Essure proximal tubal occlusion in women with HS and subsequent pregnancy rates following IVF using a fresh or frozen embryo (FET) cycle(s) at two fertility centers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty women identified with a unilateral or bilateral HS were offered an off-label hysteroscopic placement of Essure micro-insert(s) rather than incisional surgery for proximal tubal occlusion. All patients had follow-up HSG done 3 months post Essure placement, then IVF cycle(s). Patient ages averaged 34.1 years. Day #3 serum FSH levels averaged 6.6 mIU. Average antral count was 17. Nine women had paracervical block anesthesia, and 11 women had I.V. sedation for their placements. RESULTS: Unilateral micro-inserts were placed in 8 women with a unilateral HS, and 12 women had bilateral placement. All microinserts were intentionally placed with a reduced number of coils visible in the uterus (average of 2.6). Follow-up HSG procedures have been completed in all patients, with 19 women demonstrating proximal tubal occlusion and one patient with only one of two tubes occluded at HSG. Average number of embryos placed was 1.7. Eight women became pregnant following fresh IVF cycles, and 3 pregnancies resulted from FET cycles. Five women have not yet begun IVF. CONCLUSION: A total of 19 post-Essure IVF cycles were completed with 11 clinical pregnancies. Four women have already delivered and there are 7 ongoing pregnancies. There were 6 cycles with negative pregnancy tests. No serious adverse events occurred in any patient. Successful tubal occlusion rate was 96.9%, clinical pregnancy rate was 63.2%, and ongoing/delivered pregnancy rate is 58%.

Gestrinone Compared With Mifepristone for Emergency Contraception

To compare the efficacy of gestrinone with that of mifepristone for emergency contraception. A randomized double-blind trial was conducted in five family-planning clinics in China. We randomly assigned 998 healthy women with regular menstrual cycles and negative urine pregnancy tests who were requesting emergency contraception up to 72 hours after unprotected coitus to receive single-dose 10 mg gestrinone (n=499) or 10 mg mifepristone (n=499). We monitored them to 7 days after the expected first day of their next menstrual period. The study was powered to detect a 5% failure rate between the two regimens. The treatment groups did not differ significantly; posttreatment pregnancy rates were 2.4% in the gestrinone group compared with 1.8% in the mifepristone group (P=.51). The majority of women menstruated the first day of expected menses, and groups did not differ regarding side effects. The effectiveness of 10 mg gestrinone is not significantly different from 10 mg mifepristone as an emergency contraceptive method. ISRCTN Register, isrctn.org, ISRCTN87842530. I.

Personality traits associated with depressive and anxiety disorders in infertile women and men undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment

To assess which personality traits are associated with depressive and/or anxiety disorders in infertile women and men undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Prospective study. A university hospital in Sweden. A total of 856 eligible women and men, 428 couples, were approached to participate. Overall 643 (75.1%) subjects filled out the Swedish Universities Scales of Personality (SSP) questionnaire. The response rates were 323 women (75.5%) and 320 men (74.8%). The SSP, a self-rating personality trait questionnaire, was used for evaluation. Main outcome measures. Personality traits associated with depression and/or anxiety disorders. Higher mean scores on all neuroticism-related personality traits were found in women and men with depressive and/or anxiety disorders compared to women and men with no diagnosis. High scores of neuroticism and a negative pregnancy test after IVF were associated with depressive and/or anxiety disorders among women. Among men, high scores of neuroticism and unexplained or male infertility factor were associated with depressive and/or anxiety disorders. High neuroticism scores were negatively associated with live birth (p < 0.05). High scores on neuroticism-related personality traits were associated with depressive and/or anxiety disorders in women and men undergoing IVF.

Perimenarchal Menorrhagia: Evaluation and Management

A pale 13-year-old girl presented to a local Emergency Department with excessive vaginal bleeding and fainting. Menarche occurred 1 month before presentation. Her second period started 17 days preceding hospital arrival. She was nonobese with a hemoglobin of 5.9 g/dL but with normal platelets, white count, coagulation studies, Factor VIII antigen, Ristocetin cofactor assay, thyroid-stimulating hormone, prolactin, and a negative pregnancy test. She received a total of 12 units of packed red blood cells, 25 mg Premarin intravenously ×1, and 100 mg progesterone intramuscularly ×1.

The Use of Transvaginal Ultrasound by Emergency Physicians in Medical Student Education

Abstract Paul L Foster School of Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso offers the students a faculty (both clinician and basic scientists) guided clinical presentation based curriculum. Emergency physicians have been an integral part of this curriculum. Bedside transvaginal ultrasound has become an adjunct to the history and physical examination for the evaluation in a timely manner of acute pelvic and lower abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding in the female of reproductive years. Discussion of the approach to diagnosis is divided into two broad categories; evaluation when there's a positive pregnancy test (first trimester) and a negative pregnancy test. The discussion also illustrates how the emergency physician can, using ultrasound, introduce, integrate, and review, the pertinent basic sciences (anatomy, embryology, pathology, physiology, microbiology and biochemistry) with the medical student.

Hemoglobin levels predict quality of life in women with heavy menstrual bleeding

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) on the quality of life (QoL). A prospective, observational study was conducted including 58 patients with HMB, aged 35 years or older, with a negative pregnancy test result, menstrual blood loss >80 ml, uterine volume up to 200 cc and negative endometrial biopsy. The QoL was evaluated by interview using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. Blood loss, measured by Pictorial Blood Loss Assessment Chart (PBAC), and hemoglobin levels were also assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using the Pearson coefficient correlation test. The age of the patients ranged from 35 to 52 years (42.8+/-0.2 years). Increase in monthly expenses, negative implications in conjugal life, work impairment and health-care utilization due to HMB were seen in 96.5, 94.7, 66.7 and 59.6% of the patients, respectively. Hemoglobin levels correlated to SF-36 physical and mental composites scores (p=0.020 and p=0.027, respectively). PBAC score was not correlated with the QoL (physical composite score: p=0.222 and mental composite score: p=0.642) or with hemoglobin levels (r=-0.065; p=0.278). Hemoglobin and QoL showed significant improvement after treatment (p<0.001). Hemoglobin level was the only independent predictor of the QoL measured by SF-36 physical (p=0.03) and mental (p=0.04) composites scores. HMB had significant repercussions in the social, medical and economic aspects of women. The impact on the QoL was associated with the hematimetric parameters.

Thalidomide and emergence of Mycobacterium leprae (ML)-specific responses in erythema nodosum leprosum (45.20)

Abstract Acute inflammatory lesions are seen in lepromatous leprosy (LL) during reactions, such as ENL. Necrotic ENL as the initial manifestation of LL was diagnosed at the Souza Araujo Outpatient Unit of FIOCRUZ in Rio de Janeiro (female patient, 26 yrs old). Biopsies and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBL) were obtained on days 0, 7 and 30 of treatment with thalidomide (negative pregnancy test). At days 7 and 30 progressive healing of the lesions was observed. The quantification of specific mRNAS for IL-6, TNF-α, ninjurin and IL-10 by qPCR detected an initial high level of IL-6, TNF-α and ninjurin mRNAs, and after thalidomide treatment a decrease of the first 3 mRNAs in the lesion, but IL-10 message increase. ML-specific synthetic peptides induced progressively lower levels of IL-6 in the culture supernatants, but high-level IFN-γ, IL-13 and TNF-α in PBL responses after the healing of the lesions (ML 1419c protein; multiplex assay). CD4+, CD8+, CD45-RO+ and γδ T cells were present in the initial biopsy, but were nearly absent in the last one. Activated (CD69+) CD4, CD8 and γδ T cells were observed in short-term ML-stimulated cultures. Taken together these observations suggest that thalidomide may contribute to the emergence of a ML-specific T cell response with a potential role in the healing process of ENL.

Four-limb Neurostimulation with Neuroelectrodes Placed in the Lower Cervical Epidural Space

Four-limb Neurostimulation with Neuroelectrodes Placed in the Lower Cervical Epidural Space

Is emergency contraception murder?

Hormonal emergency contraception (EC) is engendering fierce moral disagreement that is bleeding over into politics and policy. This paper considers Catholic positions on this issue, as they are the fullest and best developed. Its most extreme opponents, such as representatives of the Vatican, hold that EC is an abortifacient that should be banned. Moderates like Sulmasy believe that it should be available to women who have been raped when a negative pregnancy test suggests that fertilization has not yet taken place, and liberals, like Catholics for Free Choice, believe that it should be available to all women regardless of its mode of action. These positions depend in part on underlying philosophical presuppositions about when valuable life begins and scientific assumptions about how EC works. I argue that there are good reasons for rejecting the criterion of fertilization, and that the best current evidence strongly suggests that EC has no post-fertilization effects. These points by themselves undermine key objections to EC. I also show that none of the remaining considerations are sufficiently compelling to warrant overriding women's right to exercise religious, moral, and political agency in preventing undesired pregnancies.

Risk factors for psychiatric disorders in infertile women and men undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment

To identify risk factors associated with depression and anxiety in infertile women and men undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Prospective study. A university hospital in Sweden during a 2-year period. 825 participants (413 women and 412 men). Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD), based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV), as the diagnostic tool for evaluating mood and anxiety disorders, and fertility history and outcome of IVF treatment collected from the patients' medical records. Risk factors associated with depression and anxiety disorders. A negative pregnancy test and obesity were the independent risk factors for any mood disorders in women. Among men, the only independent risk factor for depression was unexplained infertility. No IVF-related risk factors could be identified for any anxiety disorder. A negative pregnancy test is associated with an increased risk for depression in women undergoing IVF, but no risk of developing anxiety disorders is associated with the pregnancy test result after IVF. Pregnancy test results were not a risk factor for depression or anxiety among men.

Suggestions for effective contraception in isotretinoin therapy

We read with interest the paper ‘Isotretinoin, pregnancies, abortions and birth defects: a population-based perspective’ by Berard et al. [1], published in your Journal last year. Our interest stems, in particular, from our experience of managing three cases of pregnancy exposed to isotretinoin during the last 12 months. Each of these occurred after careful compliance with established guidelines. Berard et al. conclude that the overall annual incident pregnancy rate while on isotretinoin is 32.7 per 1000 women-years of treatment [1]. The authors also confirm the teratogenic effects of the drug [1]. Although isotretinoin is a widely prescribed drug, few studies exist that demonstrate the incidence of pregnancy during isotretinoin therapy. Mitchell et al. [2] found an annual incidence of 8.8 pregnancies per 1000 women-years of treatment. The Slone Accutane Survey has reported similar findings with an annual rate of 7.4 per 1000 women-years [3]. Isotretinoin is an effective drug for acne, and there is no doubt that millions of people have benefited from it. One could argue that it is also a safe drug provided that all necessary precautions are taken. However, at-risk pregnancies continue to occur. Given the known teratogenic effects of isotretinoin, even one unwanted pregnancy should be viewed as a failure of the existing pregnancy preventing programmes. Current European and US guidelines [4, 5] require that patients should have a negative pregnancy test before commencement of the treatment. They will also have to undergo regular pregnancy tests during and 5 weeks after the end of treatment. Regarding contraception, it is suggested that patients should agree to at least one and preferably two complementary methods of contraception, including a barrier method, before the initiation of therapy, during treatment and for 5 weeks after the end of it. Furthermore, female patients will be given only a 30-day supply. The necessity for effective contraception cannot be overemphasized. In the UK, the choice of contraception is usually left to the patient's general practitioner (GP). A popular choice seems to be the oral contraceptive pill in combination with a barrier method, such as the condom or the diaphragm. However, the effectiveness of contraception methods varies and is influenced by the characteristics of the method itself as well as patient compliance. Obviously, failure to comply – unintentionally or not – with the instructions relevant to each different contraceptive method results in a high risk of pregnancy. Our aim should be to eliminate that possibility. Our personal experience reveals that none of our pregnancy cases could have been prevented by closer adherence to the guidelines (either UK or US protocols). Therefore, we suggest that parenteral progestogen-only contraceptives (injectable preparations, implants, intrauterine system or device) be adopted as a standard approach to contraception for female patients considered for isotretinoin therapy. These methods are >99% effective and are independent of the patient's individual compliance. We realize, however, that there are some disadvantages regarding the use of these contraceptive methods, such as irregular bleeding, headaches, weight gain. etc. In particular, injectable preparations of medroxyprogesterone acetate have been linked with a temporary decrease in bone mineral density (BMD), which occurs in the first 2–3 years of use. After cessation, BMD recovers and there is no evidence of increased risk of fracture [6]. Given the fact that it will be used only for a relatively short period of time (6–9 months), we believe that the possible risks do not outweigh the benefit. After the end of isotretinoin treatment, contraceptive methods could be evaluated by the GP or specialist and, of course, patients’ needs and preferences should always be considered. Another suggestion, and a challenge that we direct towards the pharmaceutical industry, would be the development of a combined pill containing both isotretinoin and a contraceptive. The requirement to maintain the correct dose of each component would require very careful consideration and may require some alteration to established treatment regimens, but this problem does not seem insuperable.

Accuracy of patients' self-reporting of pregnancy and awareness of risks to the fetus from X-ray radiation.

Title: An assessment of the accuracy of patients’ self-reporting of pregnancy together with awareness of risks to the fetus from x-ray radiation. Background: Patients being investigated in a radiology department are exposed to ionising radiation. This radiation may be harmful to a fetus that is inadvertently exposed. Currently, female patients are asked to report if they think they are pregnant to prevent such inadvertent exposure. There has been no study previously at this centre checking the accuracy of patients’ self-reporting of pregnancy. Patient’s need to be informed and educated regarding the risks of exposure a fetus to ionising radiation. Methods: A prospective study of 125 female outpatients from the ages of 18 to 42 years referred to a tertiary imaging department for investigations was conducted. The study was a questionnaire based survey comparing participants self-reporting of pregnancy with a urine pregnancy test. Participants were also questioned about awareness of risks to fetus from x-ray radiation. Additional data regarding age, previous pregnancies, certainty of date of last menstrual period and contraception was acquired. Results: Out of a sample size of 125 participants, 119 (95.2%) were certain of not being pregnant and had negative pregnancy tests. 4 (3.2%) were certain of being pregnant and had positive pregnancy tests. 2 (1.6%) participants thought they were not pregnant with pregnancy detected by urine pregnancy test. Thus, patients’ self reporting of pregnancy had a negative predictive value of 98.3%, an accuracy of 98.4%, a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 66.7%. Of the 125 respondents 56.8% considered x-ray radiation harmful to the fetus. Of this 56.8% (71 participants) the majority (72%) chose the first trimester as the most radiosensitive period of the pregnancy. Of this 56.8% of the sample size (71 participants), 56.4% (40 participants) chose severity category 3 and 22.5% (16 participants) chose severity category 4 when asked to grade the severity of radiation exposure to the fetus. Conclusions: Patients’ self reporting of pregnancy compares favourably with urine pregnancy testing in this sample population. Patients’ self reporting has a high accuracy and a high negative predictive value. The majority of patients are aware that x-ray radiation may be harmful to the fetus, however most overestimate the risks to the fetus.