The fetal cheek-to-cheek diameter and abdominal circumference: are they correlated?

Objective: The cheek-to-cheek diameter (CCD) has been shown to be an indicator of subcutaneous tissue mass in the fetus. However, the correlation between CCD and the abdominal circumference (AC) has not been investigated yet. The objective of the present study was to demonstrate whether a correlation exists between fetal CCD, AC, estimated fetal weight (EFW), and the 1 h, 50 g, glucose challenge test (GCT) levels in patients with and without gestational diabetes mellitus.

First-trimester sonography: is the fetus exposed to high levels of acoustic energy?

Purpose: As a form of energy, diagnostic ultrasound has bioeffects on living tissues. The thermal index (TI), TIS (TI for soft tissue), TIB (TI for bone), TIC (TI for cranial bone) expresses the potential for rise in temperature at the ultrasound beam's focal point. The mechanical index (MI) indicates the potential for the ultrasound beam to induce inertial cavitation in tissues.

An increased thermal index can be achieved when performing Doppler studies in obstetric sonography.

Objective: The present study was aimed at evaluating acoustic outputs during clinical ultrasound examinations, as expressed by the thermal index (TI) and the mechanical index (MI), during the second half of pregnancy and comparing acoustic outputs between B-mode and Doppler examinations.

Methods: Patients with suspected fetal growth problems undergoing Doppler studies of the fetal circulation in addition to B-mode sonography were selected. Examinations took place between 21 and 40 weeks' gestation.