A method for radiologic detection of fetal maturity

Abstract

A posteroanterior x-ray of pregnant women at 34 to 40 weeks' gestation will regularly visualize the fetal lumbar vertebrae. The measured lumbar vertebral length yields a mean figure (± 5 cm.) for total length; reference to an intrauterine growth chart will yield an approximation of fetal maturation. In our study, a fetal lumbar vertebral length of 52 mm. or more signified that 95 per cent of the group weighed more than 2,500 grams and measured 49 cm. or more in total length.