International Journal of Anatomy Radiology and Surgery (Jan 2017)

Ultrasonographic Measurement of Placental Thickness and its Correlation with Femur Length

  • Suresh K K,
  • Ajey R Bhagwat

DOI
https://doi.org/10.7860/IJARS/2017/25487:2244
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6, no. 1
pp. RO46 – RO51

Abstract

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Introduction: Placenta is a materno-foetal organ which is a reflection of health and size of the foetus. Placental Thickness (PT)) can be used as a new parameter to estimate the gestational age of the foetus. Aim: To study the placental thickness (mm) at the level of umbilical cord insertion and its correlation with femur length (wks) in normal pregnancy from 12 to 24 weeks of gestation. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study consisting of 100 normal antenatal women who were referred to the Department of Radio Diagnosis between the period of 2014–2016. All the subjects were enrolled with detailed oral and written consents. Normal singleton pregnancies of gestational ages from 12 to 24 wks were included in the study. Placental thickness was calculated by averaging the three best measurements for each case at the level of umbilical cord insertion. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and regression equation were applied with value of p <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Total 100 normal singleton pregnancies from 12 to 24 weeks of gestation, age ranged between 18 years to 37 years. Anterior placenta was noted to be the most common location. Lateral location of the placenta was found to be more accurate in measuring the placental thickness, however anterior, posterior and fundal locations also showed significant correlation. PT taken at individual weeks of gestation almost matched with GA and FL with few negative correlation in some weeks in which PT was less than 1 mm with respect to gestation in weeks. There was statistically strong positive correlation between PT with FL was found (r=0.982, p<0.001). Conclusion: It was observed that PT (in mm) correlated well with FL (in weeks) from 12 to 24 wks of gestation. Also the thickness of the placenta and growth pattern did not vary relative to the placental locations.

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