Ultrasonographic evaluation of fetal Humerus length for assessment of gestational age and its comparison with other conventional parameters.

Mounika.V.; Dr.Hameed Arafat; Dr.Mallikarjunappa; Dr.Revathi RB; Dr.Parimala Magaluri

Volume : VIII, Issue : XII, December - 2019

Ultrasonographic evaluation of fetal Humerus length for assessment of gestational age and its comparison with other conventional parameters.

Mounika. V. , Dr. Hameed Arafat, Dr. Mallikarjunappa, Dr. Revathi Rb, Dr. Parimala Magaluri

Abstract :

Introduction:Ultrasonography is being a painless, non–invasive, non–ionizing,portable, redoable and relatively inexpensive modality used to evaluate fetal growth parameter many times during pregnancy. Aim : To assess relationship between sonographic gestational age and fetal HUMERUS length between 16 and 39 weeks of gestation and to compare its accuracy with other biometric parameters. Materials and Methods: Prospective cross sectional study was performed on 500 normal singleton pregnancies at second and third trimesters between 16–39 weeks The study was conducted on a gray scale real–time ultrasound scanner using linear and sector transducers to measure the standard fetal biometrics and fetal humeral length. Results: Biparietal diameter (BPD), Head circumference (HC), Abdominal circumference (AC), and Femur length (FL) were compared with standard charts and scatter graphs were plotted. Coefficient of correlation were calculated which were for BPD, HC, AC, and FL, respectively, proving them reliable indicators. HL measured in the present study was compared with standard nomogram. A statistically significant curvilinear correlation was found between the HL and GA indicating it to be a reliable indicator of GA. Significant coefficient of correlation (0.16) was observed between HL and GA indicating it to be a reliable parameter. Conclusion: The HL was most accurate parameter next to FL in assessing GA. The study also indicates that combination of BPD, HC, AC, FL, HL is more accurate in predicting GA than any single parameter, particularly in the third trimester of pregnancy. HL would contribute to maximum accuracy next to FL amongst all the parameters.