Study on Morphometry of Adrenal Glands in live fetuses by Ultrasonography

Abstract

Introduction: Development of adrenal gland is always peculiar as it involves the complex process. It has an intriguing role in the harmonious development of fetus. Ultrasonographic Studies on fetal supra renal glands help in understanding the embryology of Suprarenal glands and are also useful in obstetrics, perinatology and fetopathology. Risk factors associated in the pregnancy like maternal diabetes and hypertension could impair the growth of adrenal glands. The nomograms of adrenal glands observed by ultrasonography are of clinical importance and help us in planning prevention and management of a fetus in high-risk pregnancies. This requires a feasible and repeatable screening test. Objective: To estimate various suprarenal gland measurements such as length, width, thickness, volume, surface area, circumference, thickness of cortex and medulla Materials and methods: Present study conducted with62 live normal human fetuses of different gestational ages ranging from 20 – 40 weeks, through ultrasonographic study using real time 4D and B mode Ge Voluson 730 pro ultra sound macine. Probes used were AB-2-7 Convex 2d abdominal Probe and RABA 4-8 Convex 4D abdominal probe. After obtaining the prior permission from the institutional ethics committee, consent from pregnant woman. Sex of the fetus was not revealed during ultrasonographic study. Fetal parameters of supra-renal gland were recorded and documented. Results: Suprarenal gland length, width, thickness, cortico-medullary thickness, surface area and circumference of both right and left side revealed significant difference (p<0.01). the detailed data analysis was presented in the subsequent headings. Conclusion: The data obtained from this study, may useful to understand the suprarenal morphometry in live fetuses thus the database useful in obstetrics, perinatology and fetopathology.