WITHDRAWN: Routine ultrasound in late pregnancy (after 24 weeks' gestation)

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Medical Imaging
• Perinatal Medicine

Background:

• Diagnostic ultrasound is selectively used in late pregnancy for specific clinical indications.
• The efficacy of routine late pregnancy ultrasound screening in unselected populations remains controversial.
• The rationale for screening involves detecting high-risk fetal or maternal conditions for improved perinatal outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of routine late pregnancy ultrasound (after 24 weeks gestation) on obstetric practices and pregnancy outcomes in low-risk or unselected women.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of controlled trials was conducted using the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group Specialised Register and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register.
• Seven trials involving 25,036 women were included, with satisfactory overall quality.
• Data on antenatal, obstetric, and neonatal interventions, morbidity, and mortality were extracted and analyzed.

Main Results:

• Routine late pregnancy ultrasound did not lead to differences in interventions or morbidity between screened and control groups.
• No improvement in overall perinatal mortality was observed with routine screening.
• Placental grading in the third trimester showed a reduction in stillbirth rates in one trial, warranting further investigation.

Conclusions:

• Current evidence suggests routine late pregnancy ultrasound offers no benefit to mothers or babies in low-risk or unselected populations.
• There is a significant lack of data regarding the psychological effects on mothers and the long-term developmental outcomes for neonates and children.
• Future research should explore placental textural assessment in third-trimester ultrasounds, building on promising findings regarding placental grading.