Sonographic Assessment of Various Causes of Pelvic Pain in The First Trimester of Pregnancy Across Different Age Groups

Abstract

Background: Acute pelvic pain during early pregnancy presents diagnostic challenges due to varying underlying causes. Ultrasonography is the primary imaging modality used in these scenarios due to its safety and diagnostic accuracy
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasonography in identifying various causes of pelvic pain during the first trimester of pregnancy across different age groups.
Methods: A descriptive study was conducted at the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital. A total of 82 symptomatic pregnant women in their first trimester were included through convenience sampling. Transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasounds were performed. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS v24
Results: Among 82 participants, 35.4% experienced bleeding. The most common findings were fibroids (22%), corpus luteal cysts (17.1%), and ectopic pregnancies (9.8%). A strong association was noted between fibroids and bleeding (p < 0.001). The majority of patients (63.4%) had normal findings, and younger women (18–27 years) represented the most affected age group.
Conclusion: Ultrasonography is essential in diagnosing pelvic pain causes during early pregnancy. Fibroids, corpus luteal cysts, and ectopic pregnancies are the predominant pathologies, with a higher prevalence among younger patients.