The accuracy of ultrasound evaluation of fetal external genitalia performed by specialists and trainees

BacKGroUNd: the aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of ultrasound specialists and trainees in fetal gender determination. MethodS: A retrospective study was conducted at a single university hospital. We enrolled pregnant women who underwent ultrasound examinations and requested the determination of fetal gender in the frst trimester (between 11 and 13+6 weeks of gestation) and the second trimester (between 18 and 20+6 weeks of gestation) from 2012 to 2013, whose babies were delivered at our hospital. after the babies were delivered, the accuracy of the fetal gender determinations performed by ultrasound specialists and trainees in the frst and second trimester was analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 1323 scans were performed in which gender was determined. In the frst trimester scans, female and male gender was correctly determined in 72.9% and 78.1%, respectively, of the scans by trainees; and 74.0% and 79.5% of the scans by the board-certifed specialists. In the second trimester scans, female and male gender was correctly determined in 99.6% and 98.7% of the scans by trainees, while the accuracy of the board-certifed specialists was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: The usefulness of gender determination during the frst trimester in daily clinical settings is limited. however, inaccuracy was observed in the second trimester scans attempted by the trainees, while gender was correctly determined in all cases by the specialists.