A Preliminary Study of Three-dimensional Sonographic Measurements of the Fetus.

Rambam Maimonides Med J

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel; ; Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel;

Published: April 2015

Objectives: This study was aimed at establishing an ideal method for performing three-dimensional measurements of the fetus in order to improve the estimation of fetal weight.

Methods: The study consisted of two phases. Phase I was a prospective cross-sectional study performed between 28 and 40 weeks' gestation. The study population (n=110) comprised low-risk singleton pregnancies who underwent a routine third-trimester sonographic estimation of fetal weight. The purpose of this phase was to establish normal values for the fetal abdominal and head volumes throughout the third trimester. Phase II was a prospective study that included patients admitted for an elective cesarean section or for induction of labor between 38 and 41 weeks' gestation (n=91). This phase of the study compared the actual birth weight to two- (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) measurements of the fetus. Conventional 2D ultrasound fetal biometry was performed measuring the biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), and femur diaphysis length (FL). Volume estimates were computed utilizing Virtual Organ Computer-aided AnaLysis (VOCAL), and the correlation between measured volumes and actual neonatal weight was calculated.

Results: Overall, this longitudinal study consisted of 110 patients between 28 and 41 weeks' gestation. Normal values were computed for the fetal abdomen and head volume throughout the third trimester. Ultrasound examination was performed within three days prior to delivery on 91 patients. A good correlation was found between birth weight and abdominal volume (r=0.77) and between birth weight and head volume (r=0.5). Correlation between bidimensional measurements and actual fetal weights was found to be comparable with previously published correlations.

Conclusion: Volume measurements of the fetus may improve the accuracy of estimating fetal size. Additional studies using different volume measurement of the fetus are necessary.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4422458PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.5041/RMMJ.10203DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

measurements fetus
16
weeks' gestation
12
birth weight
12
three-dimensional measurements
8
estimation fetal
8
study consisted
8
phase prospective
8
normal values
8
third trimester
8
head volume
8

Similar Publications

Aim: Latissimus dorsi is a multi-purpose muscle that can be used to repair defects in many areas of the body. The current study aims to investigate latissimus dorsi morphometry, innervation, vascularization, and variational situations in fetuses.

Material And Methods: Forty-nine fetuses, aged between 15 and 40 weeks of gestation, were examined for the morphological development of the latissimus dorsi.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) have gained interest as drug delivery carriers due to their efficient cellular internalization and increased therapeutic effect of the loaded drug, with minimal side effects. Although recently several studies have shown the possibility to administer SLNs during pregnancy to vehicle mRNA to the placenta, data about the effect of premating exposure to SLNs on pregnancy outcome are scant. Considering that assumption of drug-delivering nanocarriers in reproductive age may potentially affect women's reproductive health, the aim of the present study was to evaluate whether repeated oral administration of SLNs to female mice prior to mating would influence key pregnancy outcomes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The biochemical composition and structure of the brain are in a rapid change during the exuberant stage of fetal and neonatal development. H-MRS is a noninvasive tool that can evaluate brain metabolites in healthy fetuses and infants as well as those with neurological diseases. This review aims to provide readers with an understanding of 1) the basic principles and technical considerations relevant to H-MRS in the fetal-neonatal brain and 2) the role of H-MRS in early fetal-neonatal development brain research.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions affecting women of reproductive age. Epilepsy management during pregnancy is a clinical conundrum, requiring a balance between seizure control and risk minimization for women with epilepsy, as well as for their fetuses.

Objective: In this review, we aimed to systematically search, evaluate, and summarize relevant evidence on perinatal fertility guidance for women with epilepsy to provide a basis for medical staff to offer comprehensive fertility counseling.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The prevalence of artificial reproductive technologies (ART), such as intra-uterine insemination (IUI), fertilization (IVF), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), has surged in response to the global increase in infertility rates, now impacting 17.5 % of couples. With over nine million babies born through ART, the safety and efficacy of these methods are largely recognized; however, emerging concerns regarding their association with prenatal and long-term health risks, especially cardiovascular disease (CVD), necessitate a thorough examination.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!