According to Jesper Agrell, senior physician and quality manager for ultrasound operations in women’s health care in the Västernorrland region, an early ultrasound is something that many expectant parents wish for. The idea is that the early ultrasound should be offered as early as week 12.
According to Jesper Agrell, the reason is that many people want to know how many fetuses there are and whether they are alive, while healthcare sees advantages in earlier noting any fetal abnormalities. However, offering early ultrasounds is not unique to Västernorrland.
– This is how people have thought all over the world, we also want to be able to offer it and have wanted it for a long time, he says.
NIPT test can replace KUB
There are also thoughts about replacing the KUB test, which means that you can test if the child has chromosomal abnormalities, with a NIPT test that gives a more reliable result. The NIPT test would mean a sum for the patient, something that Jesper Agrell does not dare to say when it might become relevant or what the cost will be. With a private healthcare provider, the test costs approximately SEK 5,000.
The logistics for early ultrasounds are not yet in place – among other things, schedules need to be reviewed – but the hope is that early ultrasounds can become relevant in 2024.
There are several medical advantages to an early ultrasound, says Jesper Agrell. In the video, he talks about them – and how early ultrasounds can affect operations.