Ultrasound estimation of gestational age from fetal kidney length

Laishram, Diana; Anand, Geetha; Senthilnathan,

doi:10.1016/j.jasi.2015.07.327

Cited by 1 publication

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“…The crown-rump length and the mean sac diameter are most reliable during the first trimester, BPD during the second trimester, and FL during the third trimester [ 9 , 10 ]. The fetal kidney length (FKL) has been proposed as a reliable marker for calculating FGA and EDD, mainly when used in combination with other fetal biometry measurements [ 1 , 11 , 12 ]. As the kidney starts developing in week 4 of gestation and becomes functional at week 10 or 11, FKL can be measured starting in week 12 [ 13 , 14 ].…”

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confidence: 99%

Ultrasonographic Estimation of the Gestational Age Using the Fetal Kidney Length in the Second and Third Trimesters of Pregnancy Among South Indian Antenatal Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Maria Francis,

Karunakaran

et al. 2023

Cureus

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Background and ObjectiveAccurately estimating the age of the fetus is crucial to prevent morbidity and mortality for both the fetus and mother during the perinatal period. Additionally, it enables early intervention in cases of complicated pregnancies. Multiple parameters are used for the estimation of fetal gestational age (FGA) and the expected date of delivery (EDD), but no single parameter is found to be accurate and standard. This study aims to analyze the fetal kidney length (FKL) as a means to estimate gestational age and investigate the growth pattern of the fetal kidney during the early and late weeks of gestation. Furthermore, it seeks to establish correlations between FKL and gold standard parameters from the 18th week to the 38th week of gestation. MethodologyThis cross-sectional research was carried out after obtaining proper institutional ethical clearance. The pregnant women who came to the gynecology outpatient department (OPD) between 18 and 38 weeks were included in this study after obtaining informed consent. The fetal biometry was measured using the ultrasonographic transducer (3-5 MHz). ResultsThe mean FKL exhibited a consistent increase throughout the entire pregnancy, ranging from 16.50 ± 2.10 to 39.20 ± 3.10 mm. The rate of increase in FKL was significant between the early weeks (18-24) of pregnancy, with insignificant growth in other weeks of gestation. The growth of the fetal kidney (length) exhibited a gradual increase from the early weeks to the late weeks of pregnancy, with a consistent growth rate of approximately 1mm per week from 18 to 35 weeks. However, in the final three weeks of pregnancy (36th, 37th, and 38th weeks), the FKL measurements were recorded as 37. 90 ± 3.90, 38.90 ± 3.10, and 40.20 ± 3.10 mm, respectively. A positive correlation was noted between the FKL with all standard parameters such as biparietal diameter (BPD), femur length (FL), head circumference (HC), and abdominal circumference (AC). ConclusionsThis study concluded that incorporating FKL alongside standard fetal biometric parameters such as BPD, FL, HC, and AC enhanced the accuracy of calculating FGA and EDD during the early second trimester. Furthermore, it proved beneficial in diagnosing fetal anomalies during early pregnancies.

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