Consequences of errors in fetal sex determination from ultrasonography in Nigeria.

The accuracy of ultrasonography to determine fetal sex ranges from 87% to 99%, and little is known about the effect of an incorrect result. Researchers looked at 2,860 deliveries in Nigeria and interviewed 102 women who had been given incorrect information about fetal sex. Asked about immediate reactions when the baby was born, 28 of the 102 women reported positive feelings, 12 had mixed feelings, while 62 had negative feelings. All the women with negative feelings got a girl but had wanted a boy. 39 women reported marital conflict due to the misinformation, with nine reporting physical assault by their partner. All these women had been told they were carrying a male fetus; none had previously experienced violence from their partner.

Immediate factors behind the marital conflict included accusations by the woman's partner of falsifying the ultrasound report, increased economic pressure placed on the family by the incorrect result, and desire of the woman's partner to have more children of the preferred sex after tubal ligation had been performed. All 11 of the women who had decided, upon receiving the ultrasonography result, to have a tubal ligation at the time of caesarean delivery wanted a reversal. 23 women had to buy new clothing and other items appropriate for the actual sex of the baby. These conflicts could have arisen from assumptions that ultrasonography is 100% accurate. Pre-scan counselling involving partners would be of value. (1)

(1.) Dobson R. Errors in deciding fetal sex from ultrasonography can lead to domestic abuse. BMJ 2007;335:1176-77.