Morphometry of spleen in human fetuses at different gestational ages

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of the study was desired to investigate and observe the variations in the morphometry of spleen in human fetuses at different gestational ages. Basic proceduresThis study has been carried out on spleen of 40 formalin preserved human fetuses (19 males and 21 females) of different gestational ages, in the Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Haldwani over a period of two years (i.e. 2014- 2016), with due regards on ethical grounds. On the basis of gestational age, the fetuses were further stratified into three groups: Group 1 (12- 24 weeks, n=13), group 2 (25- 36 weeks, n= 14) and group 3 (37- 40 weeks, n= 13). Various morphometric parameters of spleen such as length, breadth and thickness were measured by digital vernier caliper and the results were statistically analyzed. Main findingsMean length, breadth, thickness and weight of spleen in Group 1 was measured as 1.44cm, 0.85cm, 0.52cm and 0.45g; in Group 2 was 2.66 cm, 1.85 cm, 1.12 cm and 2.8 g; in Group 3 was 3.53 cm, 2.34 cm, 1.44 cm and 6.45 g respectively. On an average the mean length, breadth, thickness and weight of the fetal spleen in different gestational age groups showed an increasing trend and they presented statistically significant values (p= 0.001) on comparison with increasing gestational age. ConclusionThe measurement of the spleen according to the gestational age was determined by the present study. These values of fetal splenic size could provide a useful diagnostic tool in the detection of congenital splenic abnormalities and can be used as an indicator of fetal growth.