A Comparative Study of Learning Curve Between Two Different Levels of Proficiency for First Trimester Fetal Anomaly Scan Using ISUOG Guidelines

Nowadays, high-resolution transabdominal ultrasounds are widely used, and ultrasound scans for fetal structural abnormalities at the first trimester are indeed possible. First trimester ultrasound scans are important and essential for detecting fetal structural anomalies, and they help provide optimized early antenatal management. However, ultrasound scans, during this period, are more difficult than routine mid-trimester ultrasound scans, as fetal organs are small and experienced operators are needed to use the transducer to obtain informative pictures. Practice guidelines for first trimester fetal ultrasound scans have been provided by the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG) since 2013. Since then, the percentage of complete scans and the high detection rate of fetal structural abnormalities during first trimester ultrasound scans have been reported. From our perspective, ultrasound operators who have different experiences in mid-trimester ultrasound scanning might have equal ability to complete first trimester ultrasound scans using the ISUOG guidelines. The objective of this study is to compare the rate of completed scans regarding fetal structures at the first trimester ultrasound scan between two different levels of proficiency operators.