Measurements of the normal fetal brain at gestation weeks 17 to 23: a MRI study

Abstract

To obtain measurements of the normal fetal brain before 24 weeks of gestation (GW), a deadline for medical decisions on fetal viability in a large number of countries. We retrospectively reviewed 70 normal MR examinations of fetuses aged GW 17 to 23. The fronto-occipital diameter, the cerebral bi-parietal diameter, the transverse cerebellar diameter, the vermian height, and antero-posterior diameter were measured. The median, maximum, and minimum values for each parameter were displayed for each individual GW. The recorded data might contribute to a better assessment of fetal health by providing normal boundaries for the brain growth.