title: The practice patterns of second trimester fetal ultrasonography: A questionnaire survey and an analysis of checklists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze practice patterns and checklists of second trimester ultrasonography, and to investigate management plans when soft markers are detected among Korean Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (KSUOG) members.
  
  
  METHODS
  An internet-based self-administered questionnaire survey was designed. KSUOG members were invited to the survey. Checklists of the second trimester ultrasonography were also requested. In the questionnaire survey, general practice patterns of the second trimester ultrasonography and management schemes of soft markers were asked. In the checklists analysis, the number of items were counted and also compared with those recommended by other medical societies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 101 members responded. Eighty-seven percent routinely recommended second trimester fetal anatomic surveillance. Most (91.1%) performed it between 20+0 and 23+6 weeks of gestation. Written informed consents were given by 15.8% of respondents. Nearly 60% recommended genetic counseling when multiple soft markers and/or advanced maternal age were found. Similar tendencies were found in the managements of individual soft markers. However, practice patterns were very diverse and sometimes conflicting. Forty-eight checklists were analyzed in context with the number and content of the items. The median item number was 46.5 (range, 17 to 109). Of 49 items of checklists recommended by International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology and/or American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 14 items (28.6%) were found in less than 50% of the checklists analyzed in this study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although general practice patterns were similar among KSUOG members, some of which were conflicting, and there is a need for standardization of the practice patterns and checklists of second trimester ultrasonography, which also have very wide range of spectrum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Soo
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Won Joon
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Seong
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Joon Seok
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-Joo
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Seol
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Konkuk University Medical Center, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Han Sung
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Hamchoon Women's Clinic, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kunwoo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Sun
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cheil General Hospital and Women's Healthcare Center, Dankook University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Dong-Wook
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Kwak
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Soo-Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cheil General Hospital and Women's Healthcare Center, Dankook University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Moon Young
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Bucheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Sa Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Checklist; Genetic counseling; Pregnancy trimester, second; Soft markers; Ultrasonography, prenatal