Utilisation of Obstetric Ultrasound at the Ho Teaching Hospital in Ghana

Authors

  • Seth Kwadjo Angmorterh DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL IMAGING, UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH AND ALLIED SCIENCES
  • Swallah Suraka Department of Medical Imaging, University of Health and Allied Sciences
  • Klenam Dzefi-Tettey Radiology Department, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Korle-Bu, Accra,
  • Kafui Kossi Kekessie Department of Medical Imaging, University of Health and Allied Sciences
  • Nathaniel Awentiirin Angaag Department of Medical Imaging, University of Health and Allied Sciences
  • Patience Nyamekye Agyemang Department of Medical Imaging, University of Health and Allied Sciences
  • Jevas Kenyanya Department of Medical Imaging, University of Health and Allied Sciences

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54450/saradio.2025.63.1.829

Keywords:

Perinatal care, foetal, obstetrics, ultrasonography, Ghana

Abstract

Introduction. Although obstetric ultrasound (US) is routinely performed at the Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH), no study has been conducted to examine trends in its clinical application. 

Methods. A retrospective analysis of 763 obstetric US examinations performed at the HTH was conducted. Maternal age, clinical history, cardiac activity and clinical findings were recorded. For the first trimester cases, data on crown rump length (CRL) and foetal cardiac activity were extracted for cases with foetal pole(s), whereas data on gestational sac diameter (GSD) were extracted for cases without foetal pole(s). Data on placentation were extracted for second and third trimester cases. However, data on foetal presentation were extracted for third trimester cases only. The variables were entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 25 for analyses.

Results. The ages of the pregnant women ranged between 14-48 years (mean = 30±6.4 years). Of the patients, 741 (97.1%) had singleton pregnancies, and 22 (2.9%) had twin gestations. For the twin gestations, nine (40.9%), seven (31.8%) and six (27.3%) were dichorionic diamniotic, monochorionic diamniotic and monochorionic monoamniotic respectively. The number of first, second and third trimester cases were 351 (46%), 125 (16.4%) and 287 (37.6%) respectively. Among the first trimester patients, the mean CRL was 29.0 ± 21.7mm, and the mean GSD was 12.8±6.0mm. The majority of the US findings (646, 83.5%) were normal. However, foetal cardiac activity was assessed in 694 of the pregnant women, of whom 48 (6.9%) had no cardiac activity. In all, 64 (8.3%) patients had myomas, and 16 (2.1%) were diagnosed with oligohydramnios. Among the 412 second and third trimester patients, five (1.2%) had praevia whereas 52 (12.6%) had fundal placentation. On foetal presentation, 52 (18.1%) of the 287 third trimester cases had breech presentations.

Conclusion. The ages of women who presented for an obstetric US at the HTH fell within the lower risk range of maternal age. Majority of the obstetric US scans were normal, although some recorded placenta praevia, amniotic fluid abnormalities and breech presentations. Our study revealed a greater prevalence of absent foetal cardiac activity than other studies. This could possibly expose Ghanaian women to inhumane cultural and traditional practices. The recommendation for clinical practice is that health professionals must ensure that all pregnant women receive the appropriate US scans to improve perinatal outcomes. Future research should investigate the trend of obstetric US examinations and their clinical outcomes across the wider Ghanaian population.

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Published

2025-05-30

Issue

Vol. 63 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Original Articles

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