Determination of Gestational Age by Fetal Kidney Measurements in Pregnancy

Abstract

Introduction: In a country like India, where ultrasonograms are an important part of the diagnostic and

monitoring protocol of a pregnant female, obstetric sonograms are the go-to modality for fairly accurate

gestational age detection incorporating multiple parameters. We conducted the present study to analyse the

use of fetal kidney length for estimation of the gestational age as a discrete as well as adjunct parameters.

Material and Methods: In present study, sonographic assessment of 95 women with single intrauterine

pregnancies was done. Kidney length (KL) was measured as maximum cranio-caudal length in all patients.

Other parameters like head circumference(HC) and femur length(FL) were assessed . The data was analysed

with IBM SPSS Statistics software. Chi- square test and student t test were done to assess of level of

significance.

Results: The mean kidney length was found to be varying from 25.35±2.52 mm at 24-26 weeks to 39.17±2.22

mm at 36-38 weeks. as the gestational age progressed, a linear correlation between the kidney length and

the gestational age was appreciated.

Conclusion: Fetal kidney length can be used as an adjunct and potential discrete parameter in estimation of

fetal gestational age in late second and third trimester.