Predicting Gestational Age of Fetus with the Reference of Humerus and Foot Length by Ultrasonography

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study is to predict the gestational age of fetus with the reference of humerus and foot length by ultrasonography.

Methodology: A cross sectional analytical study was perform in which 131 pregnant women with a singleton fetus were taken to get the required results. All data of the ultrasonographical reports has been collected from The Department of Radiology, Sheikh Zaid Hospital, Lahore. All pregnant women, from the second trimester to full term, are examined by ultrasound measurement of the full HL and FFL were taken by using a curve array transducer.

Results: 36 women (27.5%) out of 131 had gestational age by LMP was 17-20 weeks and only 2 women (1.5%) having gestational age by LMP of 37-40 weeks while out of 37 women (28.2%) out of 131 had gestational age by foot length was 17-20 weeks and 8 women(6.1%) having gestational age by foot length of 25-28 weeks. 41 women (31.3%) out of 131 had gestational age by humerus length was17-20 weeks and 3 women (2.3%) having gestational age by foot length of 37-40 weeks.GA was almost similar from these different parameters i.e. LMP, Foot Length and Humerus Length.

Conclusion: The fetal foot length and humerus length developed with gestational age in a healthily developing fetus. During the late second and third trimesters of pregnancy, the length of a fetus's foot and humerus length could be considered as an exploratory approach to determine the gestation of the fetus. When other parameters failed to reliably estimate gestational age, the length of the fetal foot and humerus length proved effective.

Keywords: Gestational age, Humerus Length, Foot length

DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/91-05

Publication date:July 31^st 2021