French Public Health Code
In forceI.- The medical biology or imaging tests used to assess the risk that the embryo or foetus has a condition likely to affect the progress or monitoring of the pregnancy, mentioned in II of article L. 2131-1 include :
1° Biochemistry tests on maternal serum markers ;
2° Obstetric and foetal ultrasound within the meaning of 1° of III of this article;
3° Genetic tests on free foetal DNA circulating in maternal blood.
II.- Diagnostic biology and imaging tests mentioned in IV of Article L. 2131-1 include :
1° Cytogenetic tests, including molecular tests applied to cytogenetics ;
2° Molecular genetics examinations;
3° Foetal biochemistry examinations for diagnostic purposes;
4° Examinations for the diagnosis of infectious diseases;
5° Obstetric and foetal ultrasound within the meaning of 2° of III of this article;
6° Other diagnostic foetal imaging techniques.
III -Obstetric and foetal ultrasound refers to ultrasound imaging examinations for medical purposes carried out in the context of pregnancy.
For the purposes of this chapter, obstetric and foetal ultrasound includes, depending on the indications and content of the examination :
1° Obstetric and foetal ultrasound to assess the risk that the embryo or foetus has a condition likely to affect the course or monitoring of the pregnancy;
2° Obstetric and foetal ultrasound for diagnostic purposes carried out because of a proven risk of foetal anomaly, including obstetric and foetal ultrasound limited to a part of the anatomy or biometry of the foetus and its appendages.
IV - Ultrasound equipment intended for carrying out imaging examinations in support of prenatal diagnosis must meet the essential safety requirements applicable to them and be used under conditions that do not compromise the safety and health of patients or any other person. The Minister for Health shall, where necessary, set the conditions for the use of this equipment in an order issued after consultation with the French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products.
V.-Foetal medicine refers to appropriate care or treatment given to the foetus in the event of pathology.
VI -The obstetric and foetal ultrasound scans provided for in III may only be performed by doctors and midwives with skills recognised by a diploma attesting to this or an equivalent qualification authorising them to perform these procedures in a Member State of the European Union or party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area. An order issued by the Minister for Health specifies the qualifications required.
