Accuracy of Transverse Cerebellar Diameter measurement by Ultrasonography in the evaluation of fetal age

Abstract

Background: Perinatal mortality a concern in the developing countries and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is an important cause. Therefore early diagnosis of IUGR babies is the key to prevent complications as well as mortality. Multiple biometric parameters including trans-cerebellar diameter can be used to predict the gestational age. Thus, the present study was designed to measure and compare the trans-cerebellar diameter and evaluates the usefulness of transverse cerebellar diameter as against the conventional parameters and to find out the usefulness of transverse cerebellar diameter in antenatal diagnosis of intrauterine growth retardation. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on normal antenatal women of 15-40 weeks gestational age referred for antenatal ultrasonography between January to December 2015. Total 250 patients were examined. Data collected was compared with the conventional parameters. Results: Good correlation was found between transverse cerebellar diameter (TCD) and other parameters. Also TCD showed a linear relationship between the cerebellar growth and the gestational age. It was found to be better than BPD in circumstances like excessive molding and dolicocephaly. Also TCD measurement was not fraught with problems as encountered in FL measurement. The mean TCD/AC ratio was 13.866%. So it was found that TCD can be used as a reliable parameter for determination of gestational age in mass studies. Conclusion: There is good correlation between TCD and other parameters in normal pregnancies at 15 to 40 weeks of gestation. This implies that, TCD is a better parameter for gestational age assessment compared to BPD and FL.