Comparison of Transvaginal and Transabdominal Ultrasound for Detection of Fetal Heartbeat During 5–8 Weeks of Gestation in Obese Women
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65406/3.1/47-54/2026Keywords:
fetal heartbeat, early pregnancy, obesity, first trimester, transvaginal ultrasound, transabdominal ultrasound, fetal heart rateAbstract
Early confirmation of fetal cardiac activity is a critical component of first-trimester prenatal care.
Maternal obesity may reduce the diagnostic accuracy of transabdominal ultrasound (TAUS) due to
soft tissue attenuation. Objective: To compare the effectiveness of transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS)
and transabdominal ultrasound in detecting fetal heartbeat during 5–8 weeks of gestation in obese
women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 71 obese pregnant women between 5–8
weeks of gestation at a diagnostic center in Kot Addu. All participants underwent both TAUS and
TVUS examinations. Fetal heart rate (FHR), gestational sac visualization, and crown-rump length
(CRL) were recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS, including descriptive statistics, correlation,
regression, chi-square, and t-tests. Results: TVUS demonstrated a higher mean detection rate (M =
1.82, variance = 0.152) compared to TAUS (M = 1.56, variance = 0.249). Normal fetal heart rate
was observed in 67.6% of cases, while 23.9% showed no detectable heartbeat. TAUS failed to detect
fetal cardiac activity in 56.3% of cases. A moderate positive correlation (r = 0.299) was found
between gestational age and fetal visualization. Statistical analysis confirmed significant associations
between fetal observation levels and ultrasound modality (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Transvaginal
ultrasound is significantly more reliable than transabdominal ultrasound for detecting fetal heartbeat
during early gestation in obese women. TVUS should be considered the preferred imaging modality
in this population to improve early pregnancy assessment accuracy.
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