Measurement of fetal urineproduction rate by three-dimensional ultrasonography in the second and third singletonpregnancy

Abstract

：Objective To measurebladder volumes using three-dimensional(3D)ultrasonography,and to establish a normal offetal urine production rate(UPR)according to gestational age(GA)and the correlationsbetween UPR and GA,UPR and amniotic fluid index(AFI).Methods One hundred and thirty-eightwomen with a normal singleton pregnancy at 24 to 42 weeks' gestation were examined.Fetalbladder volume was measured two or three times every 5-15-minutes and UPR was calculatedfrom serial measurements using 3D ultrasound and virtual organ computer-aidedanalysis(VOCAL).Results Fetal UPR increased with GA at 24-42 weeks' gestation,It increasedfrom a median value of 12.84 ml/h at 24 weeks' gestation to 64.70 ml/h at 42 weeks'.Therewas a stronge correlation between the fetal UPR and GA(r=0.900,P 0.05).Conclusions Fetal UPR can be easilymeasured bv 3D ultrasound assessment of bladder volume.It is valuable for evaluation offetal renal function and his safety.