New Zealand Gazette – 2002 – No. 40

Page 1142

✨ Clinical Indications for Ultrasound

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NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE

No. 40

APPENDIX V
INDICATIONS FOR ULTRASOUND SCANNING

The following list identifies clinical indications for ultrasound in pregnancy. The listed conditions should not be considered as mandatory indications.

The code corresponding to the relevant indication should be stated on both the referral and the claim form together with the trimester (e.g. MF3 for multiple pregnancy third trimester).

“MU” (Miscellaneous Ultrasound) should only be used following discussion with an Obstetrician or Radiologist.

Code	Clinical Indication	Comment
TA	Threatened abortion	Scan at time of bleeding. Serial scans may be necessary if bleeding persists.
RA	Recurrent abortion (>2 previous spontaneous abortions)	Scan only if clinically indicated.
EP	Suspected ectopic pregnancy	e.g. Previous tubal surgery, PID or ectopic. Suggestive symptoms (e.g. abdominal pain).
OS	Pregnancy following ovarian stimulation	Any palpable abnormality in early pregnancy.
PM	Pelvic mass in pregnancy	With history of prior mid-trimester abortion, previous terminations or clinical suspicion.
CI	Evaluation of cervical incompetence	If discrepancy greater than 4 weeks.
UD	Uterus not equal to dates	Of sufficient severity to warrant clinical concern.
HG	Hyperemesis gravidarum	If any doubt about dates.
BA	Prior to booking CVS or amniocentesis	Severe rhesus disease, diabetes, previous IUGR, previous premature labour, hypertension, known uterine anomaly.
HR	Very high risk pregnancy	1. Dates vital: e.g. microcephaly, dwarfism.
		2. Diagnosable and recurrent: e.g. neural tube defect (Best done 10 - 12 weeks).
FA	Previous foetal abnormality	e.g. Nuchal thickness assessment at 11-14 weeks.
CT	Consideration of termination	To assess foetal anatomy, firmly establish dates and placental position. Exclude multiple gestation. Should ideally be performed at 18 - 20 weeks.
NT	Early evaluation for chromosomal abnormality	To reassess an abnormality seen or suspected on an earlier scan. Includes foetal echocardiography.
AN	Anatomy	Consider repeat scans at around 26 and 34 weeks. More often in the case of monochorionic twins at risk of twin-twin transfusion or other clinical concern.
AF	Anatomy follow-up	Scan before time of previous problem or at 32-34 weeks.
MF	Multiple pregnancy
PI	Previous IUGR or stillbirth