Publication:

Ultrasonographic evaluation of first trimester bleeding per vaginum

Background First trimester is a very crucial period of pregnancy having high risks of pregnancy losses. The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy of ultrasound in diagnosis of cause of first trimester bleeding per vaginum.

Methods 200 women who attended the out-patient department with the complaint of bleeding per vagina in the first trimester pregnancy were taken for the study. Clinical assessment by pelvic examination was done and a provisional diagnosis was made. All necessary routine investigations were done followed by ultrasonographic scan of each patient. All the data was recorded in a proforma.

Results Among these 200 cases, threatened abortion in 72 cases. It was the commonest cause for bleeding. There were 20 cases of ectopic pregnancy out of which 16 were correctly diagnosed. There were 16 cases of missed abortion. There were 8 cases of hydatidi form mole. There were 40 cases of incomplete abortion, 16 cases of inevitable abortion, 8 cases of an embryonic gestation and 20 cases of complete abortion. By this study it is concluded that the accuracy of USG in diagnosing the cause of first trimester bleeding per vaginum is 96%.

Conclusions Use of USG in diagnosis of cause of bleeding in first trimester can lead to accurate and early diagnosis and save the patients from unneeded interventions based on history and clinical examination.