Current practice of first-trimester ultrasound screening for structural fetal anomalies in developed countries |
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| Authors: | Kim Bronsgeest Eline E. R. Lust Lidewij Henneman Neeltje Crombag Caterina M. Bilardo Daphne Stemkens Robert-Jan H. Galjaard Esther Sikkel Sanne H. van der Hout Mireille N. Bekker Monique C. Haak |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands;2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands;3. Department of Human Genetics and Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands;4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Utrecht University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands;5. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands;6. VSOP—Patient Alliance for Rare and Genetic Diseases, Soest, The Netherlands;7. Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands;8. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands;9. Department of Health, Ethics & Society, Maastricht University Medical Centre/Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands |
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| Abstract: | Objectives First-trimester ultrasound screening is increasingly performed to detect fetal anomalies early in pregnancy, aiming to enhance reproductive autonomy for future parents. This study aims to display the current practice of first-trimester ultrasound screening in developed countries. Method An online survey among 47 prenatal screening experts in developed countries. Results First-trimester structural anomaly screening is available in 30 of the 33 countries and is mostly offered to all women with generally high uptakes. National protocols are available in 23/30 (76.7%) countries, but the extent of anatomy assessment varies. Monitoring of scan quality occurs in 43.3% of the countries. 23/43 (53.5%) of the respondents considered the quality of first-trimester ultrasound screening unequal in different regions of their country. Conclusions First-trimester screening for structural fetal anomalies is widely offered in developed countries, but large differences are reported in availability and use of screening protocols, the extent of anatomy assessment, training and experience of sonographers and quality monitoring systems. Consequently, this results in an unequal offer to parents in developed countries, sometimes even within the same country. Furthermore, as offer and execution differ widely, this has to be taken into account when results of screening policies are scientifically published or compared. |
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