Prenatal Ultrasound: Are Socially Disadvantaged Groups Afforded Equal Access?

A retrospective cohort study was conducted of the patterns of ultrasound use during pregnancy for all single live births (n=2542) delivered at a major teaching hospital in one calendar year. Extent of maternal education was inversely correlated with the probability of receiving a prenatal ultrasound examination (p<0.001). Clinic patients were more likely to receive prenatal ultrasound examinations than were private patients (p<0.001). Blacks were more likely than whites to receive prenatal ultrasound examinations (p<0.001). Short duration of prenatal care, inadequate weight gain during pregnancy, and history of previous pre-term delivery were all associated with an increased probability of receiving a prenatal ultrasound examination (p<0.001).