Just seven out of 19 obstetric units in Irish hospitals are offering pregnant women ultrasound scans to check for foetal abnormalities, according to a report published in the Irish Medical Journal.
These tests can determine whether a foetus has a life-threatening defect, and are routine in other countries.
Offering two ultrasounds - one to date the pregnancy, and a second to check for abnormalities - has been recommended as good practice by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists since the year 2000.
A two-stage ultrasound is also endorsed by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), and was included in the National Maternity Strategy published by the Department of Health last year.
Researchers from University College Cork carried out a telephone survey of all 19 units.
They found that every unit has a dedicated Early Pregnancy Assessment Ultrasound service, while 84 percent of the units have a dedicated maternity ultrasound department.
They also found that a foetal anomaly ultrasound is offered to all women in 37 percent of units; selectively to some women in another 37 percent of units, and not offered at all in the remaining 26 percent.
Researchers say the early diagnosis of a foetal abnormality is vital. Their report states: "If a foetal anomaly is detected, planned delivery of the infant at the right time and in the correct place can be facilitated... which may ultimately reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality.
"Diagnosis can also provide adequate time to psychologically prepare parents for the challenges of the pregnancy."
In the units which did offer the selective anomaly scans, 10 to 42 percent of women received one.
Overall, more than 40,000 pregnant women received a foetal anomaly ultrasound, nationally, in 2016.
According to the researchers, "the foetal anomaly scan is best performed between 20+0 to 22+6 weeks’ gestation as this time point allows the best visualisation of foetal anatomical structures".
The research paper pointed out the fact that maternity ultrasound services have not been expanded in a decade, and that there is room for improvement.
Researchers concluded: "If we are serious about equity of care and access to specialist services for all Irish women, regardless of geographical location or financial means, there must now be a substantial investment by healthcare policymakers."
The report recommended that all pregnant women ought to have "equal access to standardised ultrasound services, to accurately date the pregnancy (and) to assess the foetus for ultrasound diagnosable anomalies as part of a planned Prenatal Foetal Diagnostic Service".
