Point-of-Care First Trimester Pelvic Ultrasonography for the Pediatric Emergency Physician

Ectopic pregnancy is the leading cause of first trimester maternal death. It occurs between one half and one third of the rate in adolescents as it does in older women; yet, adolescents have the highest reported death rates from ectopic pregnancy among all age groups. For the past 2 decades, pelvic ultrasonography (transvaginal and transabdominal) has become a core application of emergency department ultrasound. The literature shows that point-of-care pelvic ultrasound is time-saving, should be incorporated into the overall physical examination of the pelvis, and reduces risks of complications by early diagnosis when ectopic pregnancy is suspected. This article will review the evidence base for point-of-care pelvic ultrasound.