Abstract
Introduction and Aim: Gestational age assessment in women with indeterminate last menstrual period has always remained an enigma. Though multiple parameters have been found useful in providing an indirect age assessment, various studies have now shown that the ultrasonographic measurement of foetal kidney length during the second and third trimester of pregnancy is a viable alternative in foetal age assessment.
 Methods: This prospective study was conducted among the antenatal women with singleton uncomplicated pregnancy during 18 to 40 weeks of gestation attending the outpatient department for routine ultrasound foetal biometry in a tertiary care referral institution in South India, during January 2019 to June 2019. A total of hundred and thirty-five antenatal mothers were included in this study. Data entry was done in Microsoft Excel and data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).
 Results: There was a strong positive correlation between GA and MKL. Regression model (Model 1) for Mean kidney length showed significant correlation and regression models (Model 2) for MKL and routine foetal biometric parameters like biparietal diameter, femur length and abdominal circumference were found to be significantly correlated.
 Conclusion: Mean foetal kidney length can alone predict gestational age and by combining it with the other biometric indices to give a better estimation of gestational age.
Highlights
Introduction and AimGestational age assessment in women with indeterminate last menstrual period has always remained an enigma
In many developing countries, where the female education is below the expected standards, it is not uncommon to encounter antenatal mothers being ignorant about their last menstrual period (LMP)
The main objectives of this study are to assess whether the foetal kidney length using ultrasonography in the second and third trimester of pregnancy correlates well with the gestational age and to compare its significance with other biometric indices. This prospective study was conducted among the antenatal women with singleton uncomplicated pregnancy during 18 to 40 weeks of gestation attending the outpatient department for routine ultrasound foetal biometry
Summary
Introduction and AimGestational age assessment in women with indeterminate last menstrual period has always remained an enigma. An accurate estimation of the foetal age is necessary to make an assessment of the exact date of delivery and to follow up the growth of various foetal organs. It helps in the prevention of prenatal and postnatal morbidities to the newborn child. If exact LMP is not known, calculation of an approximate expected date of delivery (EDD) would be a real challenge for the treating obstetricians. To overcome this pitfall, measurements of various foetal body parts (foetal biometry) is practised
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