Fetal Femur Length Research Articles

Correlation between pre-pregnancy body mass index and maternal visceral adiposity with fetal biometry during the second trimester.

To determine the correlation between pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and maternal visceral adiposity with fetal biometry during the second trimester. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among pregnant women who received prenatal care at a center in Recife, Brazil, between October 3, 2011, and September 27, 2013. Pre-pregnancy BMI was determined at the first prenatal care visit. Maternal visceral adiposity and fetal biometry were measured at the same ultrasonography session. The associations between maternal and fetal variables were evaluated using the Pearson correlation coefficient (R). The Student t test was used to test the null hypothesis of adjusted correlation coefficients. Overall, 740 women were included. No correlation was found between pre-pregnancy BMI and any of the fetal biometric variables assessed. By contrast, maternal visceral adiposity positively correlated with fetal abdominal circumference (R=0.529), estimated fetal weight (R=0.524), head circumference (R=0.521), femur length (R=0.521), and biparietal diameter (R=0.524; P<0.001 for all fetal variables). These findings remained statistically significant after controlling for pregnancy length. Maternal visceral adiposity, but not pre-pregnancy BMI, positively correlated with fetal biometry during the second trimester.

Does the Fetus With Klinefelter Syndrome Have a Disproportionately Long Femur Length at the Anatomy Ultrasound? [9P

INTRODUCTION: To determine if children with a known diagnosis of Klinefelter Syndrome (KS) had a fetal anatomy ultrasound demonstrating long femur length (FL). METHODS: Case series of males with Klinefelter Syndrome (KS) receiving medical care in the pediatric endocrinology division at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (TJUH) in 2014. We invited the mothers of these male children to participate in our study. Women who agreed to participate signed a medical records release form, which was sent to the delivering obstetrician requesting prenatal and delivery records. Records were reviewed for demographics, biometric measurements from the 18-22 week anatomy ultrasound, and delivery outcomes. Primary outcome was FL (calculated percentile based on Hadlock) from the anatomy ultrasound. RESULTS: In 2014, there were 100 males with KS being cared for at TJUH. 52 women agreed to participate in the study. We received medical records on 40 of these women (77%); of these, 30 records had the anatomy ultrasound report and delivery information. Mean gestational age at the time of the anatomy ultrasound 19.71 weeks (SD ± 1.29 weeks). 41% of women had an amniocentesis and a known prenatal diagnosis of KS. Femur length percentile was computed based on gestational age at the time of the ultrasound; mean FL percentile was 51.6% (SD ± 14.7%, range 8.7%-77.6%). CONCLUSION: The phenotype of males with Klinefelter Syndrome commonly results in tall stature, with a disproportionately long femur from early childhood. However, fetal femur length does not appear to predict an increased risk for Klinefelter Syndrome at the time of anatomy ultrasound.

A revisit of the fetal foot length and fetal measurements in early pregnancy sonography.

ObjectivesTo present the fetal measurements in relation to the foot length at 10–16 weeks gestation on antenatal ultrasound.Materials and methodsWe reviewed the fetal measurements in 47 scans performed at 10–16 weeks gestation in women attending routine antenatal care. The fetal measurements and measurement ratios were examined in relation to the foot length.ResultsThe fetal biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, femur length and foot length increase linearly with the gestational age at 10–16 weeks gestation. The correlation between fetal foot length and fetal biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length are better than with the crown rump length. The femur length to foot length ratio and the femur length to abdominal circumference ratios increase with the gestational age in an inverse relationship throughout the same period.ConclusionFetal foot length is an accurate estimate of the gestational age in early pregnancy. Compared with crown rump length, the correlation between foot length and other fetal measurements is better. The fetal measurements ratios are gestational age dependent between 10–16 weeks. Gestational age specific ratio should be used in this period.

Comparison of ultrasound fetal biometry of singleton fetuses with a reference chart in pregnant women with normal nutritional and health status

The aim of this study was to compare fetal biometry of singleton fetuses in pregnant women with normal nutritional and health status in the Ampara district, with a commonly used reference chart. A cross sectional study was carried out in the Ampara District. Women with normal nutritional and health status and minimal environmental constraints on fetal growth (n=714) were enrolled during the first trimester and gestational age was confirmed by fetal crown-rump length measurement between 11 weeks + 0 days and 13 weeks + 6 days. For this study, each mother was considered only once for measurement of fetal biometry, at gestations between 11 and 41 weeks. Fetal bi-parietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL) were measured using standard techniques, and separate regression models were fitted to estimate the means and standard deviations and derive gestation specific centiles for each parameter, assuming that the measurements have a normal distribution at each gestational age. The fetal biometry results obtained from the current study were compared with a commonly used reference chart. The fitted 10th, 50th and 90th centiles at 40 weeks of gestation were, 87.9 mm, 93.2 mm and 98.5 mm for BPD, 313.8 mm, 328.9 mm and 344.0 mm for HC; 298.2 mm, 322.5 mm and 346.9 mm for AC and 69.7 mm, 75.0 mm and 80.2 mm for FL. When compared with the reference chart, significant differences of fetal biometry were seen in the third trimester but not in the second trimester. Ultrasound fetal biometry of singleton fetuses in pregnant women with normal nutritional and health status in the Ampara District were significantly different in the third trimester, from a routinely used reference chart.

International estimated fetal weight standards of the INTERGROWTH-21st Project.

ABSTRACTObjectiveEstimated fetal weight (EFW) and fetal biometry are complementary measures used to screen for fetal growth disturbances. Our aim was to provide international EFW standards to complement the INTERGROWTH‐21st Fetal Growth Standards that are available for use worldwide.MethodsWomen with an accurate gestational‐age assessment, who were enrolled in the prospective, international, multicenter, population‐based Fetal Growth Longitudinal Study (FGLS) and INTERBIO‐21st Fetal Study (FS), two components of the INTERGROWTH‐21st Project, had ultrasound scans every 5 weeks from 9–14 weeks' until 40 weeks' gestation. At each visit, measurements of fetal head circumference (HC), biparietal diameter, occipitofrontal diameter, abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL) were obtained blindly by dedicated research sonographers using standardized methods and identical ultrasound machines. Birth weight was measured within 12 h of delivery by dedicated research anthropometrists using standardized methods and identical electronic scales. Live babies without any congenital abnormality, who were born within 14 days of the last ultrasound scan, were selected for inclusion. As most births occurred at around 40 weeks' gestation, we constructed a bootstrap model selection and estimation procedure based on resampling of the complete dataset under an approximately uniform distribution of birth weight, thus enriching the sample size at extremes of fetal sizes, to achieve consistent estimates across the full range of fetal weight. We constructed reference centiles using second‐degree fractional polynomial models.ResultsOf the overall population, 2404 babies were born within 14 days of the last ultrasound scan. Mean time between the last scan and birth was 7.7 (range, 0–14) days and was uniformly distributed. Birth weight was best estimated as a function of AC and HC (without FL) as log(EFW) = 5.084820 − 54.06633 × (AC/100)3 − 95.80076 × (AC/100)3 × log(AC/100) + 3.136370 × (HC/100), where EFW is in g and AC and HC are in cm. All other measures, gestational age, symphysis–fundus height, amniotic fluid indices and interactions between biometric measures and gestational age, were not retained in the selection process because they did not improve the prediction of EFW. Applying the formula to FGLS biometric data (n = 4231) enabled gestational age‐specific EFW tables to be constructed. At term, the EFW centiles matched those of the INTERGROWTH‐21st Newborn Size Standards but, at < 37 weeks' gestation, the EFW centiles were, as expected, higher than those of babies born preterm. Comparing EFW cross‐sectional values with the INTERGROWTH‐21st Preterm Postnatal Growth Standards confirmed that preterm postnatal growth is a different biological process from intrauterine growth.ConclusionsWe provide an assessment of EFW, as an adjunct to routine ultrasound biometry, from 22 to 40 weeks' gestation. However, we strongly encourage clinicians to evaluate fetal growth using separate biometric measures such as HC and AC, as well as EFW, to avoid the minimalist approach of focusing on a single value. © 2016 Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Effect of a micronutrient-rich snack taken preconceptionally and throughout pregnancy on ultrasound measures of fetal growth: The Mumbai Maternal Nutrition Project (MMNP).

Improving micronutrient intakes of under‐nourished mothers in low‐ and middle‐income countries increases birth weight, but there is little data on the nature and timing during gestation of any effects on fetal growth. Ultrasound measures of fetal size were used to determine whether and when a food‐based supplement affected fetal growth. Non‐pregnant women living in Mumbai slums, India (N = 6,513), were randomly assigned to receive either a daily micronutrient‐rich snack containing green leafy vegetables, fruit, and milk (treatment) or a snack made from lower‐micronutrient vegetables (control) in addition to their usual diet from before pregnancy until delivery. From 2,291 pregnancies, the analysis sample comprised 1,677 fetuses (1,335 fetuses of women supplemented for ≥3 months before conception). First‐trimester (median: 10 weeks, interquartile range: 9–12 weeks) fetal crown‐rump length was measured. Fetal head circumference, biparietal diameter, femur length, and abdominal circumference were measured during the second (19, 19–20 weeks) and third trimesters (29, 28–30 weeks). The intervention had no effect on fetal size or growth at any stage of pregnancy. In the second trimester, there were interactions between parity and allocation group for biparietal diameter (p = .02) and femur length (p = .04) with both being smaller among fetuses of primiparous women and larger among those of multiparous women, in the treatment group compared with the controls. Overall, a micronutrient‐rich supplement did not increase standard ultrasound measures of fetal size and growth at any stage of pregnancy. Additional ultrasound measures of fetal soft tissues (fat and muscle) may be informative.

Fetal growth trajectories in pregnancies of European and South Asian mothers with and without gestational diabetes, a population-based cohort study.

ObjectiveOur aim was to examine the impact of gestational diabetes (GDM), from before the GDM-diagnosis is made, on fetal growth trajectories, and to compare it in Europeans and South Asians; two ethnic groups with dissimilar fetal growth patterns.MethodsWe studied European (n = 349) and South Asian (n = 184) pregnant women, from the population-based STORK-Groruddalen cohort in Oslo, Norway. Mothers were enrolled in early pregnancy, screened for GDM in gestational week 28 ±2, and classified as “non-GDM”, “mild GDM” or “moderate/severe GDM”. We measured fetal head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length by ultrasound, and estimated fetal weight in gestational week 24, 32 and 37, and performed corresponding measurements at birth.ResultsIn non-GDM pregnancies, South Asian fetuses (n = 156) had a slower growth from gestational week 24, compared with Europeans (n = 310). More than two thirds of the European mothers later diagnosed with GDM were overweight or obese in early pregnancy, while this was not observed in South Asians. Fetuses of GDM mothers tended to be smaller than fetuses of non-GDM mothers in week 24, but thereafter grew faster until birth. This pattern was especially pronounced in fetuses of South Asian mothers with moderate/severe GDM. In week 24 these fetuses had a -0.95 SD (95% CI: -1.53, -0.36) lower estimated fetal weight than their non-GDM counterparts. In contrast, at birth they were 0.45 SD (0.09, 0.81) larger.ConclusionsOffspring of GDM mothers were smaller in mid pregnancy, but subsequently grew faster until birth, compared with offspring of non-GDM mothers. This pattern was most prominent in South Asian mothers with moderate to severe GDM. However, the most remarkable characteristic of these fetuses was not a large size at birth, but the small size in mid pregnancy, before the GDM diagnosis was set.

The Egyptian formula a New Formula for Prediction of Fetal Birth Weight using Liver Volume Measured by Three-Dimensional Ultrasound (VOCAL System)

Introduction: Normal fetal growth is essential for healthy pregnancy. Fetal abdominal circumference measurement is the cornerstone in determination of fetal growth. Fetal liver contributes to the majority of the abdominal circumference, and estimation of its volume has been of interest, especially in cases of growth restriction as hepatic glycogen stores are severely depleted. Aim: To predict fetal growth restriction using the fetal liver volume calculated in the second trimester of pregnancy by 3D ultrasound. Study design: Multi-center case series study. Patients & methods:Three hundred qualified pregnant women attending for 20 weeks anomaly scan had fetal liver volume, head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length measured using three-dimensional VOCAL system then the same measurements were repeated between 34 and 40 weeks. All cases were followed until delivery and babies weighed in the first 24 hours. The data were recorded and statistically analyzed. Results: Statistically significant positive correlation between second trimester fetal liver volume and birth-weight, while other second trimester measurements didn’t show this significant correlation. A significant correlation was found between all third trimester measurements and birth weight. Conclusion: Second trimester liver volume measurement is superior to other second trimester measurements in predicting fetal birth weight.

Automatic Detection and Measurement of Fetal Biparietal Diameter and Femur Length —Feasibility on a Portable Ultrasound Device

An automatic method able to recognize a presented section through the biparietal plane of the fetal head and a section through the fetal femur in ultrasound images is developed. Once the correct anatomical section for measurement is identified by the machine, the placement of the measurement calipers is automatically determined by fitting an active contour model to the structure of interest. The fetal biparietal diameter (BPD) and femur length (FL) are then measured automatically. The validation data set contained 167 and 197 B-mode images for BPD and FL measurements, respectively. The images were acquired using 4 different ultrasound scanners, which resulted in varied image quality and gain settings. The mean gestational age (GA) of the fetuses was 19.4 weeks, range 16 to 41 weeks. A measurement success rate of 90% was achieved for both BPD and FL. The correlation coefficients between the manual and automatic measurements were 0.995 (BPD) and 0.967 (FL), mean errors were 0.5 mm (BPD) and -1.7 mm (FL) and error range with 95% confidence interval (CI) were ﹣3.8 - 4.8 mm (BPD) and ﹣11.4 - 8.1 mm (FL). The automatic measurement results were consistent in both high and low gain settings. The intraclass correlation coefficients between manual and automatic measurements were 0.995 (95% CI; 0.981 - 0.999) for BPD in high gain, 1.0 (95% CI; 0.998 - 1.0) for BPD in low gain, 0.998 (95% CI; 0.991 - 0.999) for FL in high gain and 0.999 (95% CI; 0.996 - 1.0) for FL in low gain settings. The method was implemented on a prototype, portable ultrasound machine designed to be used in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The overall performance of the method supports our hypothesis that automated methods can be used and are beneficial in a clinical setting.

Morphometric measurement of fetal femur length for the prediction of gestational age in the IInd and IIIrd trimester of pregnancy by ultrasonography

Introduction: Femur length (FL) is a fetal biometric parameter used for estimation of gestational age. Gestational age determination by ultrasonography (USG) is very essential as it gives an accurate estimation. Aim and Objectives: This study is an attempt to measure FL of the fetus for the prediction of gestational age in the IInd and IIIrd trimester of pregnancy by USG. Materials and Methods: Five hundred pregnant women in the IInd and IIIrd trimester with the single live fetus and having no other complications either in mother or fetus, were selected for the study. Fetal FL was measured, and results were analyzed for accuracy in estimation of gestational age and were compared with findings of other workers. Observation and Results: Gestational age estimated from FL in 500 cases between 20 and 36 weeks of gestation showed that in the mean FL in each week of gestation the maximum difference of ±0.7 mm was found in the IInd trimester and ±2 mm was in the IIIrd trimester. The accuracy of the correctly diagnosed cases and P value decreases as pregnancy advance. Conclusion: Sonographic examination was found to be effective to assess the accurate FL parameter for different weeks of gestation. FL was found to be more appropriate in predicting gestational age in the IInd trimester and its reliability decreases in the IIIrd trimester.

Automatic measurement of fetal femur length in ultrasound image

Automatic measurement of fetal femur length in ultrasound image

Ultrasonic Measurement of Fetal Femur Length in Assessment of Gestational Age in Third Trimester

Ultrasonic Measurement of Fetal Femur Length in Assessment of Gestational Age in Third Trimester

Increased fetal adiposity prior to diagnosis of gestational diabetes in South Asians: more evidence for the \u2018thin\u2013fat\u2019 baby

Aims/hypothesisGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with an increased future risk of obesity in the offspring. Increased adiposity has been observed in the newborns of women with GDM. Our aim was to examine early fetal adiposity in women with GDM.MethodsObstetric and sonographic data was collated for 153 women with GDM and 178 controls from a single centre in Chennai, India. Fetal head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), femur length (FL) and biparietal diameter (BPD) were recorded at 11, 20 and 32 weeks. Anterior abdominal wall thickness (AAWT) as a marker of abdominal adiposity at 20 and 32 weeks was compared between groups. Adjustments were made for maternal age, BMI, parity, gestational weight gain, fetal sex and gestational age.ResultsFetuses of women with GDM had significantly higher AAWT at 20 weeks (β 0.26 [95% CI 0.15, 0.37] mm, p < 0.0001) despite lower measures of HC, FL, BPD and AC. AAWT remained higher in the fetuses of women with GDM at 32 weeks (β 0.48 [0.30, 0.65] mm, p < 0.0001) despite similar measures for HC, FL, BPD and AC between groups. Both groups had similar birthweights at term. There was an independent relationship between fasting plasma glucose levels and AAWT after adjustment as described above.Conclusions/interpretationA ‘thin but fat’ phenotype signifying a disproportionate increase in adiposity despite smaller or similar lean body mass was observed in the fetuses of mothers with GDM, even at 20 weeks, thus pre-dating the biochemical diagnosis of GDM. Increased AAWT may serve as an early marker of GDM.

Ultrasound-based gestational-age estimation in late pregnancy.

ABSTRACTObjectiveAccurate gestational‐age (GA) estimation, preferably by ultrasound measurement of fetal crown–rump length before 14 weeks' gestation, is an important component of high‐quality antenatal care. The objective of this study was to determine how GA can best be estimated by fetal ultrasound for women who present for the first time late in pregnancy with uncertain or unknown menstrual dates.MethodsINTERGROWTH‐21st was a large, prospective, multicenter, population‐based project performed in eight geographically defined urban populations. One of its principal components, the Fetal Growth Longitudinal Study, aimed to develop international fetal growth standards. Each participant had their certain menstrual dates confirmed by first‐trimester ultrasound examination. Fetal head circumference (HC), biparietal diameter (BPD), occipitofrontal diameter (OFD), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL) were measured every 5 weeks from 14 weeks' gestation until delivery. For each participant, a single, randomly selected ultrasound examination was used to explore all candidate biometric variables and permutations to build models to predict GA. Regression equations were ranked based upon minimization of the mean prediction error, goodness of fit and model complexity. An automated machine learning algorithm, the Genetic Algorithm, was adapted to evaluate > 64 000 potential polynomial equations as predictors.ResultsOf the 4607 eligible women, 4321 (94%) had a pregnancy without major complications and delivered a live singleton without congenital malformations. After other exclusions (missing measurements in GA window and outliers), the final sample comprised 4229 women. Two skeletal measures, HC and FL, produced the best GA prediction, given by the equation loge(GA) = 0.03243 × (loge(HC))2 + 0.001644 × FL × loge(HC) + 3.813. When FL was not available, the best equation based on HC alone was loge(GA) = 0.05970 × (loge(HC))2 + 0.000000006409 × (HC)3 + 3.3258. The estimated uncertainty of GA prediction (half width 95% interval) was 6–7 days at 14 weeks' gestation, 12–14 days at 26 weeks' gestation and > 14 days in the third trimester. The addition of FL to the HC model led to improved prediction intervals compared with using HC alone, but no further improvement in prediction was afforded by adding AC, BPD or OFD. Equations that included other measurements (BPD, OFD and AC) did not perform better.ConclusionsAmong women initiating antenatal care late in pregnancy, a single set of ultrasound measurements combining HC and FL in the second trimester can be used to estimate GA with reasonable accuracy. We recommend this tool for underserved populations but considerable efforts should be implemented to improve early initiation of antenatal care worldwide. © 2016 Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The FL/AC ratio for prediction of shoulder dystocia in women with gestational diabetes

Purpose: To determine if sonographic variables, including fetal femur length to abdominal circumference (FL/AC) ratio, are associated with shoulder dystocia in women with gestational diabetes.Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of women with gestational diabetes who delivered singleton infants at Parkland Hospital from 1997 to 2015. Diagnosis and treatment of gestational diabetes were uniform including sonography at 32–36 weeks. Biometric calculations were evaluated for correlation with shoulder dystocia.Results: During the study period, 6952 women with gestational diabetes underwent a sonogram at a mean gestation of 34.8 ± 1.8 weeks. Of 4183 vaginal deliveries, 66 experienced shoulder dystocia (16/1000). The FL/AC was associated with shoulder dystocia (p < 0.001) with an AUC of 0.70 (95% CI: 0.64–0.77). This was similar to age-adjusted AC and head circumference to AC ratio (HC/AC) (both with an AUC of 0.72). All other measurements, including estimated fetal weight, were inferior. When examining the 257 women with multiple sonograms after 32 weeks’ gestation, FL/AC was stable with advancing gestational age (p = 0.54) whereas age-adjusted AC and HC/AC were not (p < 0.001).Conclusions: The FL/AC is associated with shoulder dystocia in women with gestational diabetes. Additionally, it is a simple ratio that is independent of the reference used and remains stable, unlike age-adjusted AC and HC/AC ratio.

Impact of replacing Chinese ethnicity-specific fetal biometry charts with the INTERGROWTH-21(st) standard.

To assess the impact of adopting the INTERGROWTH-21(st) biometry standards in a Chinese population. Retrospective cohort study. A teaching hospital in Hong Kong. A total of 10527 Chinese women with a singleton pregnancy having a second- or third-trimester fetal anomaly or growth scan between January 2009 and June 2014. Z-scores were derived for fetal abdominal circumference (AC), head circumference (HC), and femur length (FL) using the INTERGROWTH-21(st) and Chinese biometry standards. Pregnancies with aneuploidy, structural or skeletal abnormalities, or that developed pre-eclampsia were excluded. Z-scores were stratified as <2.5th, <5th, <10th, >90th, >95th, or >97.5th percentile. Birthweight centile, adjusted for gestation and gender, was categorised as ≤3rd, 3rd to ≤5th, 5th to ≤10th, and >10th. Pairwise comparison and the McNemar test were performed to assess biometry Z-score differences and concordance between the INTERGROWTH-21(st) and Chinese standards. The sensitivity of both the local and INTERGROWTH-21(st) AC standards to identify pregnancies that were small-for-gestational-age (SGA) was assessed. INTERGROWTH-21(st) AC, HC, and FL Z-scores were significantly lower than those obtained using our local reference for AC, HC, and FL (P<0.0001 for all). The proportion of fetuses with biometry in the <2.5th, <5th, <10th, >90th, >95th, or >97.5th percentiles was statistically significant (P<0.01 for all). A total of 1224 (15.5%) of the scans at 18-22weeks of gestation had AC, HC, or FL below the 3rd percentile of the INTERGROWTH-21(st) standard. Adopting the INTERGROWTH-21(st) standard would lead to a significant number of fetuses being at risk of misdiagnosis for small fetal size, particularly when using HC and FL measures. INTERGROWTH-21(st) biometry assessment in Chinese leads to fetuses being at risk of misdiagnosis of small fetal size.

Morphometric study of human fetal femur length by ultrasonography in determination of gestational age in southern part of Rajasthan

Morphometric study of human fetal femur length by ultrasonography in determination of gestational age in southern part of Rajasthan

Correlative Growth Study of Foetal Femur and Tibial Length in Third Trimester for Gestational Age Estimation by Ultrasound in Central Rajasthan

Correlative Growth Study of Foetal Femur and Tibial Length in Third Trimester for Gestational Age Estimation by Ultrasound in Central Rajasthan

СОВЕРШЕНСТВОВАНИЕ ДИАГНОСТИКИ ИГРОВОГО ВЗАИМОДЕЙСТВИЯ В ВОЛЕЙБОЛЕ

Aim. The purpose of the study is to establish real measurement accuracy for various structures during the biometrics on modern ultrasound equipment. Organization and Methods. Three series of measurements were conducted. The first one was done on a perfect static sonogram with an object of known value. The second series was the measurement of ideal objects of known value on the precision ultrasonic phantom. The third series involved measurement of a real object fetal femur length. The data obtained in the course of the study was processed in Microsoft Excel 2007 with functions VAR, AVERAGE, NORMDIST, and others. Results. The following results were obtained: for the measurements on the ideal static objects the error was 0.1 mm; for the measurements of static objects on the precision ultrasonic phantom the error was 0.2 mm; for the measurements of the real object the fetal femur length was 0.5 mm in the 2nd trimester and 1.0 mm in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Conclusion. The real error in the measurements of structures performed on ultrasonic diagnostic devices cannot be less than 0.2-0.5 mm. It is necessary to be cautious while applying of various algorithms for interpretation of biometrics results, in which the difference in values of 0.1 mm can significantly influence the tactics of pregnancy assessment and observation, for example the algorithm for calculating risks of FMF fetal chromosomal abnormalities.

New Sudanese Reference Chart of Fetal Bi-ometry and Weight Using Ultrasonography

Background: Many centers in Sudan use the reference data for fetal biometry. The recently published population-based reference either overestimated or underestimated the weight of the fetuses. Objective: To establish a national reference for fetal biometry, and weight by gestational age for singleton fetuses in Sudan. Methods: Data were collected on all singleton live births documented in the data collection sheet done at Saudi Hospital from 2015 to 2016 (n = 225). Gestational age estimation was based on the last menstrual period and fetal ultrasound thereafter. Fetal biometry and weight and other 6 fetal weight formulae were assessed. Reference data for fetal growth by gestational age were created. Results: New charts and reference equations are reported in Sudanese population for fetal biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length and fetal weight. Conclusion: We advocate that these reference charts and equations for fetal biometry and weight might be valuable in the clinical use for appropriate ethnic Sudanese.