Routine ultrasound screening in low-risk pregnancies: Imperatives for further study

The benefits of screening ultrasonography in low-risk pregnancies are uncer tain and require further investigation. As researchers organize future tria ls, however, they will need to define clearly the structure and content of the screening ultrasound examination and explicitly detail those outcomes c onsidered important. Such studies must examine the effectiveness of screeni ng sonography in comparison with and in the context of other available pren atal tests and screens. Until studies showing efficacy are available, scree ning ultrasound in low-risk pregnancies should be considered only when pati ents, guided by clinicians, consider the potential benefits to be of value. (Obstet Gynecol 1999;93:607-10. (C) 1999 by The American College of Obstet ricians and Gynecologists.).