Recruitment /randomisation
Inclusion criteria included low -risk women with singleton intrauterine
pregnancies, A hospital radiology unit, consisting of two radiologists,
performed all clinically indicated scans (roughly 800 obstetric
scans/month, at varying gestational age).
A parallel study unit was set up to perform routine third-trimester
scans three days each week and first trimester or anomaly scans two days
each week. Initially, women were referred to this unit at varying
gestational ages as that was the system being followed in the hospital.
Eventually we managed to get patients scheduled for scans at 11-13
weeks, 18-20 weeks, and between 32.0-37.6 weeks. The majority of women
who presented for the third-trimester scans came directly from the
community, brought in by ASHA workers (Accredited Social Health
Activist). 12These women were if they had an early
pregnancy dating report.
Primary Outcomes - Severe Adverse Perinatal Events
Four primary outcomes, chosen based on relevance and practicality
2) included:
a) Neonatal seizures, defined as clonic movements which cannot be
stopped by holding the limb, occurring on two or more occasions before
72 hours of age;
b) Assisted ventilation for more than 24 hours via endotracheal tube,
initiated within 72 hours after birth;
Maternal death within 48 hours of giving birth.