Evaluating Fetal Kidney Length and Trans-cerebellar Diameter as Ultrasound Biometry Parameters for Gestational Age Estimation in the Third Trimester

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, EL-Sinblawin General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Egypt

2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Damietta Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Damietta, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Accurate gestational age determination is important for optimal obstetric management in the third trimester. While fetal biometric parameters are commonly used for pregnancy dating, their relative accuracy has not been well established beyond 28 weeks.
The aim of the work: To compare the reliability of fetal kidney length and transcerebellar diameter (TCD) obtained on ultrasound for predicting gestational age in the third trimester.
Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed ultrasound scans of 450 pregnant women between 28 to 41 weeks of gestation. Fetal kidney length and TCD measurements were obtained and deduced gestational ages were calculated using published formulas. These were compared to gold standard last menstrual period-based gestational ages. Correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman plots were used for analysis.
Results:  Kidney length and TCD both showed strong correlation with gestational age (r=0.88 and 0.86 respectively). Bland-Altman plots demonstrated smaller mean differences and limits of agreement for kidney length compared to TCD.
Conclusion: Fetal kidney length measurement on ultrasound appears to be a more accurate biometric parameter compared to transcerebellar diameter for estimating gestational age in the third trimester. Kidney length should be the preferred parameter for pregnancy dating beyond 28 weeks.

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International Journal of Medical Arts

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 12 September 2023

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