Fetal gestational age estimation using ultrasonic transverse cerebellar diameter in a sub-saharan African population

Abstract

Background: To explore the relationship between fetal Transverse Cerebellar Diameter (TCD) and menstrual gestational age (GA) and to generate normative references (nomogram) of the fetal TCD in some pregnant women in Southwest Nigeria. Methods: Four hundred pregnant women with a singleton fetus between 14 and 38 weeks GA were enrolled. The TCD and other biometric parameters (biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, and femur length) as well as the cerebellar appearance were analyzed and correlated with the GA. Results: The mean TCD increased from 13.3 ± 0.3 mm at 14 weeks to 52.3 ± 3.3 mm at 38 weeks of pregnancy. A strong positive correlation was observed between TCD and GA, which was best represented by a linear regression equation: Predicted GA = 0.557 × TCD + 8.840. The regression analysis indicated a statistically significant strong positive relationship between TCD and GA (r = 0.972 and P < 0.001). The cerebellar appearance based on shape and echogenicity was graded into Grade I: 230 fetuses (57.5%); Grade II: 74 fetuses (18.5%) and Grade III: 96 fetuses (24.0%). Median GA and TCD were 21 weeks and 21.2 mm for Grade I; 29 weeks and 35.5 mm for Grade II; and 35 weeks and 48.1 mm for Grade III, respectively. Conclusion: The TCD increased in a linear fashion with advancing GA in the evaluated fetuses. The TCD is, therefore, a good marker for GA estimation. There is a gradual ultrasonographic change in fetal cerebellar appearance with advancing gestation.

Keywords

• fetal biometry
• gestational age
• pregnancy
• transverse cerebellar diameter
• ultrasonography