An assessment of nasal and orbital parameters in human fetuses

Abstract

Background: Nasal bone aplasia and hypoplasia have been reported on fetuses with aneuploidy. Trisomy 21 is one of the most common chromosomal abnormality detected in new-borns. The purpose of our study is to obtain data of some face parameters in Turkish fetal population and to contribute creation of reference ranges that may be used for prenatal diagnosis.Methods: This study was performed in 66 spontaneously aborted fetuses (47 second trimester and 19 third trimester) (28 male and 38 female) with no detectable external pathology or anomalies. Measurements were designed as nasal bone length (NBL), nose length (NL), nose width (NW), nostril width (NsW), intraocular distance (IOD), innercanthal distance (ICD), outercanthal distance (OCD), orbital diameter (OD), biparietal diameter (BPD).Results: In comparison between genders, ICD and BPD averages were found significantly higher in male fetuses than female fetuses (P<0.05). There was not any statistically significant difference between averages of the values on the right and left. The difference between second and the third trimester was significant in terms of all parameters (P<0.05). A strong correlation was detected between gestational age and our parameters.Conclusions: Present study has contributed to create reference ranges of Turkish community. When importance of early diagnosis is considered, we believe that this data will be useful for clinicians.