Pelvic Ultrasound Health Article

Abnormal results

Ultrasound examinations in obstetrics may detect abnormalities or defects in the fetus. This information may reveal that the fetus cannot survive on its own after birth or that it will require extensive treatment or care. Some surgical procedures can be performed to correct defects while the fetus is still in the uterus. Parents faced with information regarding possible birth defects may require counseling to consider their choice to either continue or end the pregnancy.

The diagnostic use of ultrasound may reveal the presence of cysts, tumors, or cancer in internal organs.

BOOKS

Carlson, Karen J., Stephanie A. Eisenstat, and Terra Ziporyn. "Ultrasound." In The Harvard Guide to Women's Health. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1996.

"Ultrasound Studies." In The Patient's Guide to Medical Tests, ed. Barry L. Zaret, et al. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1997.

"Ultrasonography (US)." In The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. 16th ed. Ed. Robert Berkow. Rahway, NJ: Merck Research Laboratories, 1992.

ORGANIZATIONS

American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. 14750 Sweitzer Lane, Suite 100, Laurel, MD 20707-5906. (800) 638-5352. <http://www.aium.org>.

Altha Roberts Edgren

KEY TERMS

Amniocentesis—A procedure where a needle is inserted through the pregnant mother's abdomen and into the uterus to draw off some of the amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus.

Chorionic villus sampling—A procedure where a needle is inserted into the placenta to draw off some of the placenta's inner wall cells surrounding the fetus.

Ectopic pregnancy—A pregnancy where the fertilized egg becomes implanted somewhere other than in the uterus. A tubal pregnancy is when the fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tube.

Fetus—A term for an unborn baby, usually from the end of week eight to the moment of birth.

Placenta—The organ that allows interchange between the fetus and the mother. Blood from the fetus and the mother do not directly mix, but the thin placental membrane allows the fetus to absorb nutrients and oxygen from the mother. Waste products from the fetus can exit through the placenta.

Ultrasonography—Another term for ultrasound.