Ultrasounds can accurately measure the type of fat associated with the biggest health risks for women in pregnancy, new research has found.

Carrying excess weight during pregnancy can pose risks for mother and unborn infant but one type of fat, visceral, is riskier than another, peripheral.

The use of ultrasound to measure abdominal fat thickness, also known as subcutaneous fat, provides a highly accurate indicator of visceral fat. This procedure allowed for more accurate diagnosis of whether a medical intervention was necessary for the individual to prevent negative obesity-related pregnancy outcomes.