Willingness among Obese Pregnant Women to Accept MRI Scan

Background/Aim: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered safe to perform during pregnancy. In spite
of this many women are reluctant to undergo the examination. Weight gain is to be expected during pregnancy, but
little is known about changes in the compartmentalization of abdominal fat. We therefore undertook a study of the
willingness of obese women to undergo MRI during pregnancy.
Method: Obese pregnant women, body mass index (BMI) 30-45 kg/m2, participating in a weight management
intervention study, were offered three MRI scans to be performed during pregnancy. One hundred and one women
were offered MRI scanning in gestational week (GW) 15, 64 in GW 32, and 45 in GW 40.
Results: Of 106 women offered MRI scans 102 completed (96%) at least one scan. In total 177 out of 210
possible scans were completed. The proportion of women who completed first, second and third MRI scans were
96%, 83% and 61% respectively. Primary cause for incomplete MRI scans were no-show (45%); no reported concern
for safety as a cause.
Conclusion: A majority of the women accepted MRI scans in GW 15, 32 and 40. Thorough, information about the
safety of the method, and the applicability of the results, encouraged participation.