Role of Measurement of Placental Thickness and Diameter at the Third Trimester Using Two Dimensional Ultrasound in Determination of Low Birth Weight

Abstract

Background: Birth weight is the first weight of the fetus or newborn obtained after birth preferably measured within the first hour of life before significant postnatal weight loss has occurred. Aim of the work: This study was conducted in order to assess the role of measurement of placental thickness and diameter at the third trimester using two dimensional ultrasound in determination of low birth weight. Patients and methods: This study was carried out at Sayed Galal University Hospital and Damanhour Teaching Hospital on 400 uncomplicated pregnant women who was attend the outpatient clinic at Sayed Galal University Hospital and Damanhour Teaching Hospital, two dimensional ultrasound measurement of placental thickness and diameter was done to assess its role in determination of low birth weight. Results: The results of this study show that there were significant positive correlations between neonatal weight and GA, Placental diameter, Placental thickness, Biparietal diameter, Femur length & Abdominal circumference (P 0.05). Also our results shows that there was no statistical significant difference according to parity regarding fetal and placental measures. The results show that there was no statistical significant difference according to fetal sex regarding placental measures (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The result of this study shows a strong positive correlation between neonatal weight and placental thickness, so placental thickness measured at the level of umbilical cord insertion can be used as an accurate sonographic indicator in the assessment of fetal weight.