Placental Thickness and Its Correlation to Gestational Age Estimated by Foetal Growth Parameters-a Cross Sectional Ultrasonographic Study

Abstract

The placenta is a meterno-fetal organ and starts developing on the 5th week from chorionic villi at the implantation site. The placenta continues to increase in thickness and hence its thickness can be used to indicate the gestational age when the last menstruation date is not confirmed. The purpose of the study was to find out the correlation of placental thickness to the gestational age estimated by growth parameters of the fetus. The study was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted on 2000 participants. The study was conducted in the Department of Radiology Social Security Hospital, Multan Chungi Lahore. The inclusion-exclusion criteria were established and participants were observed using a Toshiba ultrasonography machine. The subjects were placed supine and placental thickness was measured to the accuracy of 1mm. Pearson’s correlation was applied to find out the correlation between placental thickness and gestational age of the participants. The mean age of the participants was 28.37 + 4.6. The youngest participant was age 18 and the eldest participant was age 40. The gestational age of the participants included ranged between 12th week to 40th week. Pearson’s correlation score indicated that the correlation value 0.896. Which indicated that the placental thickness and gestational age were strongly correlated? The P-value < 0.05 indicated that the results were significant. The study concluded a strong correlation between gestational age and placental thickness of the fetus. The thickness of the placenta increased with an increase in gestational age and hence could be used as a predictor and a parameter of gestational age prediction when the last menstruation is uncertain or is unknown.

The relationship between placental thickness and gestational age in pregnant women: A cross‐sectional study

“…Additionally, from 11 to 34 weeks of gestation, PT was approximately the same as GA, but after 35–40 weeks, PT was estimated as 1–2 mm less than GA. The other study conducted by Balakrishnan and Virudachalam 13 concluded that measuring PT is an important parameter in estimating fetal age, especially during 25–35 weeks of gestation, during which PT complies closely with GA. Karthikeyan et al 25 concluded that PT has a linear relationship with GA. Several other studies also confirm this correlation 5,20,26 . However, Ohagwu et al showed that PT was 45.1 ± 6.4 mm at 39 weeks of gestation and could not explain why it was higher than in other studies.…”

“…23,24 This finding is consistent with previous studies, such as Adhikari et al, 17 25 concluded that PT has a linear relationship with GA. Several other studies also confirm this correlation. 5,20,26 However, Ohagwu et al showed that PT was 45.1 ± 6.4 mm at 39 weeks of gestation and could not explain why it was higher than in other studies. They speculated that PT may vary among races and be thicker in Negroes.…”

“…The placental's appearance has received significant attention in recent years because of its connection to fetal growth and reflection fetal health. Mid‐pregnancy changes in the placenta, particularly between 17 and 20 weeks, have been shown to strongly correlate with fetal development and indicate fetal abnormalities 5–7 …”

“…Midpregnancy changes in the placenta, particularly between 17 and 20 weeks, have been shown to strongly correlate with fetal development and indicate fetal abnormalities. [5][6][7] Ultrasound measurement of placental thickness is a simple and effective criterion for determining GA. The diameter around the head, biparietal diameter, abdominal circumference, and femoral length are all sonographically derived fetal characteristics that are used to date the pregnancy.…”

Ultra Sonographic Measurement of Placental Thickness during Pregnancy as a Parameter for Estimating Gestational Age of the Fetus

“…According to research, placental changes during midpregnancy, particularly between 17 and 20 weeks, can indicate fetal malformations. Currently, ultrasound characteristics are the most accurate method for dating a pregnancy [4][5] . Sonographic fetal parameters aid in pregnancy dating.…”