Ultrasound and the prenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies: a medicolegal perspective.

A survey was conducted to determine the frequency of obstetric ultrasonography use, its value in detecting fetal anomalies, and the frequency with which ultrasound errors lead to malpractice allegations. Questionnaires were sent to one-fifth of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Fellows in District IV and were returned by 68%. Ultrasound equipment is housed in the offices of nearly 64% of the responding obstetricians, and ultrasound scanning is used in 69% of pregnancies in the district. Over 67% of obstetricians have detected one or more fetal anomalies by ultrasonography, and over 51% have overlooked anomalies. Ultrasound-related lawsuits were reported by 4.7% of the respondents.