Abstract

Spina bifida is a serious neural tube defect, and early detection is crucial for fetal health. Ultrasound during pregnancy is a valuable and practical method for identifying this condition. Detecting the defect in the first or second trimester increases the opportunity for parental decisions. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound within the radiology department at Rokhan Medical Hospital and to compare this method with MRI after birth. It was a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted from February 2024 to December 2024. A total of 165 pregnant women in the first (11–13 weeks) and second trimesters (14–22 weeks) participated. Women with a history of hypertension, proteinuria, or heart failure were excluded. All women were examined with the same ultrasound machine by a radiologist, and a postpartum MRI was performed. Ultrasound diagnosed spina bifida in 82 patients, while MRI confirmed the condition in 83 patients. The sensitivity of ultrasound was 92.06%, specificity 93.55%, positive predictive value 93.55%, negative predictive value 92.06%, and overall accuracy was 92.80%. Ultrasound is an accurate, simple, and inexpensive method that can serve as a good alternative to MRI for early detection of spina bifida, especially in regional hospitals like Jalalabad, where its use has proven highly valuable.