The accuracy of antenatal ultrasound screening in Malta: a population-based study

Objective: To analyse the accuracy of antenatal ultrasound screening in Malta, comparing detection rates within the private and public sectors, and with the rest of Europe. To assess local trends in accuracy for each organ system.

Material and methods: Ethics approval was obtained to gather routinely collected data from the national congenital anomalies registry between 2016 and 2018. This was analysed to determine local antenatal ultrasound accuracy rates and trends. Electronic medical appointment record data was also used to indirectly determine whether a significant difference existed in the detection of antenatal anomalies in mothers scanned privately and those scanned within the public sector. χ2-for-trend was used to analyse changes in the accuracy rates. European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies (EUROCAT) data was used to compare scanning accuracy in Malta and other EUROCAT centres.

Results: The local rate of undetected congenital anomalies was 62.0% for public scans and 83.9% for private scans. Local trends over the three-year period showed an improvement in accuracy rates in detecting isolated syndromes (p=0.05), anomalies of the renal system (p=0.02) and craniofacial anomalies (p=0.05). Malta’s overall performance was similar to other EUROCAT centres.

Conclusion: Scans carried out within the public sector are more accurate than private scans, and Malta’s overall performance was similar to other EUROCAT centres.