Reliable estimation of gestational age is important in providing appropriate obstetric care. The objective of the study was to compare the gestational age estimated by mean fetal kidney length and multiple biometric parameters (BPD, HC, AC & FL) with the actual gestational age derived from reliable last menstrual period. METHODS: A single third trimester ultrasound examination was done in a total of 100 well dated patients. Gestational age assessment was done by measuring multiple biometric parameters and mean fetal kidney length. RESULTS: Comparison of linear coefficient of mean fetal kidney length with gestational age demonstrated kidney length has high degree of correlation with an Intra class correlation coefficient of 0.860, which is the best of all the parameters in the overall third trimester. In the 38-41 weeks group, MKL (mean 38.272.523) in weeks) was close to actual period of gestation (39.260.867) in weeks. The other parameters in this sub group were more deviant and MKL had the best correlation. A very strong correlation was seen when mean fetal kidney length was added with multiple parameters (correlation co efficient r=.830). CONCLUSION: This study showed that ultrasonographic measurement of mean fetal kidney length is a reliable indicator of gestational age, in third trimester. Where there is discrepancy between the dates and the uterine size, it is better to include mean fetal kidney length in the multiple biometric parameters.

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