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Am J Perinatol
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1782687
Original Article

A Crossover Trial Evaluating Coconut Oil as an Alternative to Commercial Ultrasound Gel in Obstetrical Ultrasounds

Claire Edelman
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
,
Caroline Rouse 
2   Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
,
Ziyi Yang
3   Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
,
Myanna Cook
4   Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
,
Joanne Daggy 
3   Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
,
Anthony Shanks
2   Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
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Abstract

Objective Our objective was to evaluate the quality of obstetrical ultrasound images obtained with coconut oil compared with commercial ultrasound gel and to assess patient acceptability.

Study Design This was a randomized two-period crossover study in which 40 pregnant patients had standard biometry images obtained with both coconut oil and commercial ultrasound gel during their growth or anatomy ultrasound. All images were then rated by two blinded maternal–fetal medicine physicians on quality, resolution, and detail using a 0 to 100 scale. Contrasts obtained from linear mixed models were used to estimate the differences in image parameters between the agents. Participant experience was evaluated with an acceptability survey which included five items measured on a five-point Likert scale.

Results Image quality, as rated by physicians, was found to be equivalent between commercial ultrasound gel and coconut oil. Additionally, there was not a statistically significant difference in image resolution or detail between the two coupling agents. The overall patient experience was significantly lower for commercial ultrasound gel when compared with coconut oil (mean difference = − 5.48, 95% confidence interval = [−6.89, −4.06]).

Conclusion Ultrasound images collected with coconut oil as the coupling agent are equivalent in quality to those collected using commercial ultrasound gel. Patients also preferred the use of coconut oil during their ultrasound, making its use a possible way to improve the patient ultrasound experience. Coconut oil has the potential as an alternative coupling agent that could significantly increase access to ultrasound use in resource-limited settings.

Key Points

  • Coconut oil produces quality images during obstetrical ultrasounds.

  • Patients prefer the use of coconut oil to standard ultrasound gel during obstetrical ultrasounds.

  • Coconut oil is a coupling agent that could increase ultrasound use in resource-limited settings.

Keywords

ultrasound - coconut oil - ultrasound gel - image quality - patient acceptability

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 11 September 2023

Accepted: 26 February 2024

Article published online:
26 March 2024

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