The use of obstetric ultrasound in low resource settings

In common with many emerging technologies, the use of ultrasound scanning for obstetric diagnosis has a worldwide reach. The use and abuse of ultrasound in pregnancy has already proliferated in resource-limited settings and will continue to do so, with widening availability fueled by both technological improvements and decreasing costs. This chapter shows an example of a normal ultrasound image of a 16 week old human fetus. Many pregnancy-related problems and abnormalities might be detected by the provision of routine ultrasound services. There have been many undoubtedly well-meant attempts to introduce obstetric ultrasound scanning in low resource settings, often reporting various measures of success. In order to maximize benefit for patients and stem the potential for abuse, the obstetric ultrasound community must work to define globally recognized standards for training, regulation and implementation in accordance with practice that is evidence-based.