Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in the second trimester for the detection of spina bifida.
DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHOD: Medline and Embase were searched to identify prospective studies in a general pregnant population. Also, in the Cochrane Library, references of identified reports and recent reviews were checked for relevant studies. Retrieved abstracts were selected independently by 2 authors using predefined criteria. Assessment of quality and generalizability of the included studies and data extraction were performed by 3 authors independently. The data were tested for heterogeneity and pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity were calculated for all studies.
RESULTS: 13 studies were included. Specificity was approximately 100% in all cases. Sensitivity varied from 40% to 100%. The summary point estimate for sensitivity was 71% with a 95% confidence interval of 59%-81%.
CONCLUSION: Ultrasound in the second trimester is a specific investigation to detect spina bifida, which may detect seven out of ten defects. Used as a screening tool, it could contribute to a significant reduction in the number of children born with spina bifida.
| Translated title of the contribution | Sensitive and specific screening for detection of spina bifida by echography in the second trimester; systematic review and meta-analysis |
|---|---|
| Original language | Dutch |
| Pages (from-to) | 1736-41 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde |
| Volume | 144 |
| Issue number | 36 |
| Publication status | Published - 2 Sept 2000 |
Keywords
- Female
- Humans
- Infant, Newborn
- Mass Screening/methods
- Netherlands
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Trimester, Second
- Prospective Studies
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Spinal Dysraphism/diagnostic imaging
- Ultrasonography, Prenatal