University Hospitals to Launch First Trimester Specialty Ultrasound Clinic

CLEVELAND - A specialized ultrasound clinic launching this month will give high-risk pregnancy patients access to detailed fetal anatomy screening weeks earlier than traditional timelines allow.

The clinic, called the First Trimester Specialty Ultrasound Clinic, performs a Detailed First Trimester Anatomy Exam (DFTAE) - a comprehensive, high-resolution ultrasound performed between 12 and 13 weeks of pregnancy - compared to the standard anatomy exam, which does not occur until 19 to 20 weeks. UH is the first health system in Northeast Ohio to offer a specialized DFTAE clinic.

"That seven-week difference can be significant," says Marta C. Kolthoff, MD, Director of OB Imaging and Perinatal Genetics, University Hospitals. "When major fetal anomalies or genetic conditions are detected earlier, families have more time for subspecialty referrals, genetic counseling, and informed decision-making during a critical window of pregnancy."

Current evidence shows that the majority of severe or life-limiting fetal abnormalities can be identified at this early gestational age when the exam is performed at specialty centers with proper training. The exam is endorsed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and is now considered the standard of care for patients with high-risk indications.

The First Trimester Specialty Ultrasound Clinic opens Tuesday, June 9, running weekly on Tuesdays at UH MacDonald Women's Hospital, located on UH Cleveland Medical Center's main campus. Each patient will meet directly with Dr. Kolthoff to review findings in detail.

The goal is to bring every necessary resource together in a single visit. A sonographer who holds specialized training in this exam will perform the ultrasounds and a fetal care nurse coordinator will be on hand to support any additional patient needs. On-site genetic counseling is available for patients who need it.

The clinic is currently serving patients on a case-by-case basis, with plans to expand access in the future.