AIUM Practice Parameter for the Performance of Detailed Diagnostic Obstetric Ultrasound Examinations between 12 weeks 0 days and 13 weeks 6 days

The AIUM Practice Parameter for the Performance of Detailed Diagnostic Obstetric Ultrasound Examinations Between 12 Weeks 0 Days and 13 Weeks 6 Days was developed by the AIUM in collaboration with other organizations whose members use ultrasound for performing this examination (see “Acknowledgments”). Recommendations for personnel requirements, the request for the examination, documentation, quality assurance, and safety may vary among the organizations and may be addressed by each separately.

This practice parameter is intended to provide the medical ultrasound community with recommendations for the performance and recording of high-quality ultrasound examinations. The parameter reflects what the AIUM considers the appropriate criteria for this type of ultrasound examination but is not intended to establish a legal standard of care. Examinations performed in this specialty area are expected to follow the parameter with recognition that deviations may occur depending on the clinical situation.

This specialized diagnostic examination is an extension of the standard sonographic fetal assessment described in the AIUM-ACR-ACOG-SMFM-SRU Practice Parameter for the Performance of Standard Diagnostic Obstetric Ultrasound Examinations and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist practice bulletin Ultrasound in Pregnancy.1, 2 The detailed obstetric ultrasound examination in the late first trimester is an indication-driven examination for women at increased risk for fetal or placental abnormalities that are potentially detectable between 12 weeks 0 days and 13 weeks 6 days' gestation. Performance and interpretation of this examination require advanced training, knowledge, and imaging skills, as well as the ability to effectively communicate the findings to the patient and referring physician. Thus, the performance of the detailed first-trimester ultrasound examination should be rare outside referral practices with special expertise in the identification and diagnosis of fetal anomalies and placental implantation disorders in the first trimester. Genetic counseling and diagnostic testing services should be available for patients diagnosed with fetal anomalies in early gestation.