Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between fetal liver volume (FLV) and gestational age (GA) in Nigerian subjects using 2D sonography. Fetal liver volume measurements were obtained from 900 normal singleton fetuses between 15 and 41 weeks GA (mean = 28 weeks). The FLV was computed from anterior-posterior, sagittal, and transverse dimensions of the fetal liver by assuming the liver to be a pyramidal structure. The mean FLV obtained ranged from 4.14 ± 0 cm³ at 15 weeks to 76.88 ± 7.58 cm³ at 40 weeks and 79.45 ± 9.32 cm³ at 41 weeks. A simple regression analysis showed a positive linear relationship between GA and FLV (r = 0.98), which is described by the equation FLV = 53.53 + 3.246 GA. A strong positive correlation was also noted between FLV and biparietal diameter (BPD; r = 0.968), FLV and head circumference (r = 0.960), FLV and abdominal circumference (r = 0.901), and FLV and fetal weight (r = 0.979). Z test analysis showed no significant difference between GA estimated by FLV and GA estimated by BPD or femur length (α = 0.01). The use of FLV determined by 2D sonography has been shown to be accurate in dating pregnancy, and its use in a multiparameter biometry should improve the precision in predicting the expected date of delivery.

Keywords

sonography gestational age biometry fetal liver

References

Gestational Age Determination, Surgery. North Wales, PA, HealthAnswers Inc., 2001.

de la Vega A. : Sonographic Evaluation of Gestational Age and Fetal Weight. San Juan, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, 2001.

Cosgrove D. , Meire H. , Dewbury K. : Clinical Ultrasound: A Comprehensive Text. London , Churchill Livingstone, 1993.

Sherer DM , Hareen JB , Vatrick L. : Fetal sacral length in the ultrasound assessment of gestational age . Am J Obstet Gynecol 1993;108:626-633.

Chang CH , Yu CH , Chang FM , Ku HL , Chan HY : The assessment of normal fetal liver volume by 3-D-ultrasound. Med Biol 2003;29:23-29.

Baker PN , Johnson IR , Gowland PA , et al: Measurement of foetal liver, brain and placental volumes with echoplanar, magnetic resonance imaging. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1995;102:35-39.

Hadlock FP , Harris RB , Diter RL : Femur length as predictor of gestational age. J Ultrasound Med 1982;2:111.

Warda AH , Deter RL , Rossavik IK , Carpenter RJ , Hadlock FP : Fetal femur length: a critical re-evaluation of the relationship to menstrual age. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1985;66:69-75.

Laudy JA , Jassen MM , Struyk PC , et al: Foetal liver vol. measurements by 3D ultrasound. Obstet Gynecol 1998;12:93-96.

10.

Yoon HJ , Lee YH , Kang SR , Cho JS , Kim JWC : 3-D ultrasonographic assessment of fetal liver volume in normal pregnancy . Presented at: Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Yonsee University, Seoul, Korea, 1998.

11.

Vintzileos AM , Neckles M. , Campbell W. , Andreoli JWJr , Kaplan BM , Nochimson DJ : Fetal liver ultrasound measurements during normal pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol 1985;66:477.

12.

Chang CH , Yu CH , Ka HC , Chang FM : Predicting fetal growth restriction with liver volume by 3-D ultrasound: efficacy evaluation. Ultrasound Med Biol 2006 ;23:13-17.

13.

Nze DA , Oyawoye O. , Adetoro OO : Ultrasound estimation of birthweight in late pregnancy among African women . West Afri Journ of Ultrasound. 2000 ;1(1): 9-13.

2D Sonographic Assessment of the Fetal Liver in Normal Pregnant Nigerian Women

Abstract

Keywords

References