Fetal and umbilical Doppler ultrasound in normal pregnancy

Abstract

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Analysis 2.3. Comparison 2 Single Doppler ultrasound assessment versus no Doppler ultrasound, Outcome 3 Neonatal death

Routine antenatal ultrasound in low‐ and middle‐income countries: first look – a cluster randomised trial

“…These LMIC results confirm Cochrane reviews of the impact of routine use of US during ANC in HIC. [7][8][9][10] It is important to emphasise what we did and did not study. We studied the provision of two routine basic US examinations during ANC with the earliest examinations at 16 weeks coupled with referrals to a hospital for certain obstetric conditions.…”

“…One Cochrane review concluded that introducing routine US in resource-constrained healthcare settings could place a large burden on available resources, detracting from other more beneficial services. 10 The introduction of various interventions without proof of efficacy in achieving an important clinical outcome is not uncommon either in obstetrics or in medicine in general. 31 Adopting interventions used in high-income countries in resource-limited areas without proof of efficacy in those locations also occurs frequently.…”

“…5,6 Despite these benefits, multiple systematic reviews have concluded that these potential benefits do not result in reduced maternal, fetal or neonatal mortality. [7][8][9][10] While reduced mortality with US use during antenatal care has not generally been shown in HIC, there is speculation that US could have an impact on mortality in low-/ middle-income countries (LMIC), where rates of perinatal and maternal mortality and morbidity are high and the ANC coverage and quality are poor. [11][12][13] The rationale for this potential impact includes US serving as an attraction for women to attend ANC earlier or more often and to identify high-risk pregnancies that may require advanced care.…”

Stillbirth risk across pregnancy by size for gestational age in Western Cape Province, South Africa: Application of the fetuses-at-risk approach using perinatal audit data

“…SA studies have demonstrated that it can be used at primary healthcare level by nurses and midwives. [30,31] Although a recent meta-analysis in high-income countries found that Doppler or Umbiflow use in low-risk pregnancies was not effective in reducing perinatal mortality, [32] there may be a potential benefit of Umbiflow use in lowrisk populations in LMICs to refer women to higher-level care. [33] Another interesting finding in the present study was the increased stillbirth risk seen in LGA pregnancies between 36 Fig.…”

Measured acoustic intensities for clinical diagnostic ultrasound transducers and correlation with thermal index

“…Although several studies indicate no harmful effects [1][2][3] , some studies report potential bioeffects on human fetuses 4,5…”