Use of antenatal care services in a controlled ultrasound screening trial

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether systematically organized ultrasound screening would have an effect on the uptake of antenatal care services. METHODS: A total of 9310 women were randomised to an ultrasound screening (4691) or to a control (4619) group. The screening group had an ultrasound examination between the 16th and 20th week of gestation, but otherwise both groups had identical antenatal care. RESULTS: Antenatal outpatient clinic visits were significantly fewer (2.3 compared to 2.6, p < 0.0001) in the screening group. On the other hand women in the screening group had more visits to maternal health centers than those in the control group (12.9 compared to 12.6, p < 0.0001). No difference was noted between the groups with respect to days in hospital, rest at home on sick leave and visits for medical check-ups. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound screening reduced the need for specialist services and increased the use of basic maternal health care services.