Antro-pyloric canal values from early prematurity to full-term gestational age: an ultrasound study.

Abstract

To evaluate antro-pyloric canal dimensions from early prematurity to full-term gestational age. Ninety infants with no signs of regurgitation or vomiting were studied 3-5 days after birth. Their gestational ages ranged from 26 to 41 weeks (mean 33.7 weeks) and the body weight from 670 to 4150 g (mean 2067 g). Antro-pyloric muscle thickness, canal length and canal width were measured. A positive correlation between gestational age, muscle thickness (R = 0.71, P < 0.001), length (R = 0.63, P < 0.001) and width (R = 0.42, P < 0.001) was found. Furthermore, a positive correlation between body weight, muscle thickness (R = 0.82, P < 0.001) length, (R = 0.67, P < 0.001) and width (R = 0.55, P < 0.001) was observed. This study shows that antro-pyloric canal dimensions increase with gestational age. Moreover, it provides normal values for muscle thickness, canal length and canal width from the early gestation to full term.